3 minutes before kickoff . Pretty abysmal attendance, even for an Open Cup game against a second tier team. pic.twitter.com/XnrqVPjhRZ— Michael Frazier (@IsellsDrugs) June 14, 2017
Everything is streaming tonight on US Soccer: http://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-...ments/2017-usoc/2017-us-open-cup-fourth-round For a team winning 3-1, I think the Union look godawful.
TBH this could be a schedule post for any given Union game under Jim. But yea, especially poor roster management today--from the lineup to the subs. I imagine this is what purgatory must be like: a stiflingly dreary game of Philadelphia Union soccer that reaches the 90th minute, but never ends.
Job done. Thought Epps looked the part-decent 2nd rd. pick. Ref didn't like Rosey. The 'burg's counter was nice. They had the Union defense at sea on a good number of occasions. Medoza gets more help and this actually would've been surprisingly entertaining.........
My highlight was probably running into Gooch and Edu after the match. Otherwise, Jones played well and Simpson involved himself well. The game as a whole was meh.
Missed this because I was in Cincy for the Ohio Derby, and trust me, Union games are going to be fun as hell in Cincy in a few years. Might have been the most fun soccer game I have ever been to.
I take back everything that I said above. No weather issues, no fireworks, a clinical performance and not much fun to watch at all. That said, Curtin must be thrilled with the performance. HCI's gameplan was to sit back and defend compactly. The Union needed to break through and did. The Union had a huge possession advantage, didn't rush things and killed the game reasonably well. (Of course, if HCI scores on either of its good late chances -- hitting the crossbar and the scramble in the box -- it's a very different last few minutes.) HCI's keeper was pretty poor. While he made a nice kick save on the Simpson breakaway, the first two goals are saved by all MLS and most USL goalkeepers. Alberg looked disinterested in the first half and spent most of the second half sulking. He is a huge step down from Ilsinho. Wijnaldum owes Davies a dinner. I think that it was likely that Davies was going to come on for Simpson late in the game until Wilnaldum started cramping and needed Gaddis to sub for him.
It was the most boring 4 goal game ever... in a way that's a good thing... they did what they should have against that team.
I am tired of Alberg's negative body language when things don't go his way. He was moping around when CJ scored. Local Helmet's positioning was good and he made a few nice saves. Simpson had some nice opportunities and I believe assisted on two of the goals. Epps is relentless. Reminds me of Zakuani.
Hopefully none of the City Islanders were like this. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-40283286
I think I'm just tired of Alberg, full stop. Can be dangerous, but consistency, availability, and attitude after almost two seasons got me like nah.
Every time Jim or Earnie talk about the type of players they are looking for they always say "most" of the guys on the team fit the mold.... I can't help but think Alberg is one of the guys that they aren't happy with.
It's like he's just never adjusted for the speed of the game here. He always takes a split second too long to pass, shoot, or get in position, because he expects the defenders to be less aggressive. He never makes a defensive play because he seems to think the other team is going to play as slow as he wants to play. He shows up 15 pounds overweight to training camp because somehow, after a full season of being too slow for MLS, he forgot he needed to be faster. KK and JT were saying on the latest pod that he doesn't even train hard in practice. Guys with way more pedigree like Ilsinho, Barnetta, and Bedoya have come here, struggled, and worked their asses off to make it work. Why can't he?
Folks have asked the same question repeatedly about Freddy Adu, and countless other Pro Athletes. Sometimes guys just don't have the desire, or will to strive to be better. For some players it's just a paycheck, and for other's it's everything to them. When his contract is up at the end of the season he'll likely move back to Europe and play for a mid-low table Eredivisie club again. Some players just don't have the self-motivation, or desire......some are gamers and don't like to practice too......
He did? I seem to recall him improving from "Not cutting it in MLS" to "Maybe useful if your team is out of ideas and you're not worried about defense." The guy has never showed he deserves to start.
I said my piece about him in the off-season, and wanted him moved because of it. Union stood on 17.......dealer held a face card.