[2012 Matchday 21] Union v Chicago Fire - August 12, 2012 p/d/p [R]

I have a very bad feeling that this is destined to be a 1-0 loss

No Valdes, No Jack Mac................ a few people are going to have to step up their game:

Okugo & Soumare - their partnership will be crucial to keeping Oduro and Nyassi from running rampant on the counter

MacMath - Will need to be more vocal without Valdes in the middle

Carroll - Will presumably wear the arm band, and will likely be tasked with shadowing Marco Pappa

Pajoy, Adu & ? - The offense needs to find their finishing touch, and who ever gets the opportunity to start up top on Sunday will need to step up (hopp or Martinez? or Perhaps Perlazza, Hoffman?)

This is one of two remaining 6 pointers against the Fire this season. If we're to be in the playoff conversation during the stretch run (other then being a spoiler) this is a must win game. The margin for error has become even smaller after the set back in Quebec. There's still time and opportunities to claw back into playoff contention, but it's rapidly diminishing.

I'm going to go all Rigby on this one and say our boys continue their resurgent PPL Form and find a way to win 1-0 with a very late goal.

That would be Oduro and Nyarko. Montreal's reserves apparently scored at will with Soumare in the lineup, so that's not a good sign. A player coming off of major surgery and with questionable game fitness will be devastated by these speedy forwards. 3-1 for Shitcago.

I hear what you are saying, but when was the last time the reserve squad was raked over like that? 5-1 is a humiliating margin - especially to an expansion side - and two of the goals came after the Fro was tossed. Since I haven't seen the game, I can't comment on Soumare any further than he played 90 and the team allowed 5 goals while he was on the field. I don't find that encouraging, do you? Perhaps the coronation of Soumare is a bit premature.

On a somewhat related note, Martinez and Hoffman cannot buy themselves a goal. Perlaza at least finds the net occasionally, and I still think he sucks. I guess I would rather see Perlaza start at this point if it means keeping Adu out of the lineup. Adu has been awful to the point where the team is actually WORSE with him on the field. The offense dies when it goes through him and he offers nothing defensively.

Lopez was sent off in the second half so they were also playing a man down for the last two goals scored against.

I would hope playing along side Okugo, Williams and G Farafan will make his job a little less difficult. Not to mention having a true DM in Carroll in front of them to help clean things up.

Didn't you say the same thing prior to the last home game??? That seemed to work out just fine

this lineup (shaking head)........is just awful. Not a knock on you Dills cause you are probable gonna be right. but goddam.....this team stink.

when I'm looking forward to Farfans on the field, you know there is something wrong.

looking forward to seeing how Soumare plays though.

Marco Pappa might not play against the Union if he gets called up for the Guatemala vs. El Salvador match which will be played in L.A. the day before the Chicago/Philly game.

I'd like to see any lineup that keeps Adu out of the starting XI. Although that may be difficult with the suspension/call up.

not too long ago, 3 games ago to be exact. of note, the almighty okugo played 64 minutes. he hasnt been too bad since joining the starters, has he?

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2012/04/recap-union-reserves-fall-4-0-crew-ppl-park

Even scarier about that match? The Crew Reserves were down to 8 men, and the Union played with 10 after 4 ejections............... and they still got pasted...........

Pappa has indeed been called up for national team duty. He won't be in the lineup for Chi-town this Sunday. So you're saying there's a chance...

Nope, no chance. See, we're missing a clinical finisher. Anyone spring to mind, BallinBear?

Hahaha

Not that I can necessarily disagree with these selections (gotta deal with the missing players, plus we just don't have much), but unfortunately that is a midfield not set up to maintain much possession going forward. We'll probably be pulling our hair again at the lack of chances created. Here's to hoping that it'll play out differently.

Actually, my bad guys, I'm reading reports that the Fire will not let Pappa play against El Salvador because it's not a FIFA date. So he will be available to play against the Union.

august 15 is a fifa date:

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/wor...-2014-updateMay2011-EN_11-01240_101_EN_EN.pdf

If Adu is an offensive threat with the ball Union win. If he doesn't show up we go down two goals early in the second half.

When you say "doesn't show up" do you mean on the pitch or physically not showing up at the stadium