Game: Philadelphia Union vs FC Dallas Date: Saturday, April 6th Time: 6:30 PM [DFW] | 7:30 PM [Local] Location: Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States of America Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy; H 67, L 47 Competition: Major League Soccer Opponent's Recent Form: W-W-D-L-L Live TV: KTXA-21 [DFW] | WPHL-17 [Philadelphia] | ESPN+ [Rest of USA] | DAZN [Canada] Radio: FCDallas.com/radio [English] | KFLC 1270 AM La Voz del Pueblo [Spanish]
Very poor after getting the early goal. Taking a win to a loss in the final 10 minutes is very frustrating but understandable considering the lineup we had and the players available. We came close to a hell of an achievement (with that squad). We should expect to see more results like this, I'm afraid. The side effect of being super young (although our veteran defense was at fault for both goals).
Philadelphia deserved the three points, but it was still difficult to see a potential win turn into a loss in the final minutes. Simply nobody other than Pomykal who could hold the ball in midfield. Ferreira got no service and isn’t suited to long balls with his back to goal. This would have been a different match with Gruezo, Acosta, and Aranguiz available.
maybe this was the very best thing that could happen to this fanbase, at this point of the season. that's what happens when you have a front six feature four who are all teens and Pax is the oldest. Let's properly reset expectations. everyone is all hype'd "about the kids" - but the reality is they're kids in a man's game and when a veteran side faces them, more times than not, they're going to get their asses kicked. Robert's performance reminded me of? The first couple of times Pax started and was ineffective, looked lost and didn't know where to be or what to do. Dallas is a team with a roster that will rely on young kids for depth and as this team loses players for whatever reason or length of time - last night is what you're likely to get from those who are called upon. btw, I know that Buzz has been warning the masses for weeks now - and either has gone ignored or doubted, but - Ondrasek is in no way a MLS quality striker. Each time I've seen him - my reaction is: He's slow and doesn't have any particular clear skill set that sets him apart. Then last night - he gets beat in a footrace with a center back and I was stunned to see him repeatedly lose aerial battles. He yells, makes faces, gives overly hard fives and that's all grand, but I think it's clear he's not the 15 goal a year scorer the fan base was looking for.
I thought Roberts looked OK but timid. maybe more to do with his position than his first start. I don't get the Hayes love. he's a lot older than these kids and all I ever see him do is receive a pass turn sort of sideways to make a Micheal Bradley sideways or backpass special onlt to be be bumped seemingly every single time. Sometimes a foul is called and others it's a really bad spot to lose a ball. Servania finally got in a game and based on what I've seen of him at U20's he should be way ahead of Hayes. I also thought Cerrillo looked kind of tired this game - kind of off and on with his passes. I kind of expected this with the way the club has been with #9's since Blas. I thought before the season and still do that if not already then by the end of the year Pepi should be fighting Jesus for that starting forward spot. They both know how to score, hassle defenders and pass.
Another factor in the loss in my opinion, Onion coach Jim Curtin's, and some writers was Luchi's decision to sub out Barrios. Barrios was about the only thing we had attack-wise after our goal. When he came out of the game, Curtin said Phila went full attack mode as they had nothing to worry about from us. https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/ph...-from-philadelphia-unions-win-over-fc-dallas/ Hitman talked about resetting expectations with a group of young players. Part of that reset should include our inexperienced coach. Leading the game 1-0 after 85 minutes with that lineup was impressive. Getting outshot 18-3 was very not impressive. For me, anti-MOTM goes to Cerrillo for losing the ball that led to the shot that led to the PK, and for being one of the 3 defenders beaten by Bedoya on the second goal.
Any rumors about what the team rules violations were that put Gruezo, Jesse, and Aranguiz out of the game?
I've been curious as well, though I'm sure that will never make it to the net. Insiders will likely know but exposing that is a scorched bridge. Though maybe encouraging that three players all got hit, makes one think they're hanging out together regularly and made a bad decision. Maybe they're bonding. Could be way off base though.
Before the game, I thought we had a pretty decent lineup with 5 guys out. After the game, it's obvious we have to have either Acosta or Gruezo in there.
You're probably right but I would have liked to have seen Servania in there for Hayes. I can't say for certain he would be better because he hasn't done it at this level but he sure tore through CONCACAF and is much more dynamic than Hayes and covers loads of ground and he and Pomykol work well together. The way he plays the 6 is much different than Gruezo and Cerrillo so I'm guessing Cerrillo is the 6 backup and then Hayes was there for veteran presence even though he hasn't played all that much either. Perhaps had Gruezo been available and started then Servania might have had a chance.
I think that all of us were hoping/wishing that he'd be the sort of player who'd be utterly mediocre on the training ground, but would turn it on when the lights came up. Nope. He is who Buzz was telling us who he was. I hope that Andre Zanotta already knows that "reliable strikers = disproportionately more money" and that's he's having a come-to-Jesus discussion with the Hunts that spending money is unavoidable in this department. Now, whether that does any good...
I'm gonna hope he knows an up and comer in the Brazilian league ala Ferreira and not Ricardinho. Problem always seems to be if they're good enough for MLS they are also good enough for all but the very best teams in Europe. I think Pepi may be the solution here of FCD can hold onto him. I see him getting sub minutes by the end of the year and in the conversation next year.