The Philadelphia Union go into the windy city looking to continue their strong road form. The Union have picked up seven points on the road already this season and are looking to steal points from Chicago who only have seven points on the season. Philly has been slipping of late and not for a lack of quality. Last week the Union dominated the Seattle Sounders but were unable to take three points. The game ended up in a 2-2 draw that left both teams wounded. The game had three red cards (two for Seattle and one for Philly) and also defender Jeff Parke was injured.
The Union are facing Chicago short handed on defense which causes some concern. Jeff Parke has been having a strong year and established himself as a stonewall in the back. But where injury comes opportunity arises. The window has been opened for former defender of the year Bakary Soumare. He came to Philadelphia and has not been able to crack the starting lineup due to injury and the terrific play of Parke and Okugo. This is a great chance for the Union to utilize one of the better CB’s in MLS. The Chicago Fire do not have a lot of pop up front so this could be the perfect game for him to come back.
Defensively, the Union have been helter skelter; they play solid for 75 minutes and then look awful for 15. Every team is allowed to have mishaps and allow a few miscommunications a game but the Union are almost predictable when their breakdowns will occur. The Union are still awful on defending set plays and sometime players like Gaddis look lost for periods of time. This game could be the just what the Union need. If Soumare has a solid performance it would cause some healthy competition in camp.
This game is going to be an interesting one. The Fire have a very strong midfield and decent defense but have greatly underachieved so far in the early season. They have to utilize their playmakers, Logan Pause, Lindpere, and Larentowitcz. They have two decent forwards in Sherjill MacDonald and Chris Rolffe. MacDonald is a DP player who has shown he can score and create. He is someone the Union will have to keep an eye on.
The Union have to come out and play like they did against the Sounders, they need to play possession and get the ball in the attacking third. Most importantly, the Union need to shoot, Casey and McInerney need to fire from range. They also need some help from the midfield, generate a couple of shots and not play so predictable then the Union will be in good shape. Hopefully Hackworth changes up the lineup a bit. Keon Daniel has been really slumping as of late and it might be of help to the team to play Kleberson or LeToux.
Prediction: Union win 2-1
Projected Lineup
—–MacMath——
Gaddis-Soumare-Okugo-G.Farfan
————–Carroll———–
Cruz—————Marfan
———-LeToux
Casey—McInerney.
[Photo: Brian Kersey/Chicago Fire]Follow along on Twitter @TotalSportsLive
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