I'm pretty pessimistic about this entire franchise and this game actually went worse than I thought. That said, still an enjoyable season. They didn't suck. I appeciate that. But our difference maker, Fabian, couldn't do it. Again. Last week was a fluke goal. Will be glad to see the Union have $2 million to spend on talent.
McKenzie needs to attempt a tackle there. If he wants to play at a higher club, or even for the USMNT.....has to make at least an attempt at a tackle there. Great strike from Martinez still, that doesn't exonerate McKenzie there. Josef isn;'t exactly lighting it up at international level... Am I being too harsh?
No, probably not. Gaddis did a great job on Martinez *most* of the game. Aside from him I have to say the defense was too sloppy to survive a game vs. ATL. We're all going to wonder what would've happened if Kacper was fit, though...
The extra time plus one less day rest plus on the road against a team thats been there before just took its toll once we got to the second half.
It looked like going to the 4-2-3-1 hurt the Union. They were putting a ton of pressure on Atlanta in the 4-4-2. Atlanta's defense is ridiculously difficult to score against too. Arronson had the one big chance and wasn't up to the moment. Guzan made a good play, yet if Fabian or Kacper is in the spot I like their odds to finish that off much better.
Gaddis' pass to literally no one set up goal #2. The guy didn't start making offensive moves until the 75th minute - why not in minute #1?
KP was somebody who could create a goal where little opportunity existed. Everybody else was lucky to score when it looked like they should. Haris looked tired. I get that their CB’s were inexperienced but it is an interesting tactic to chase with a team that just played 1:20 four days ago. Not sure the 18 year old guy is the one I sub out so early. Guzan let in a bushel of easy goals at Villa but throws his foot out there and stops a sure goal...now he makes saves??? Our corners and crosses were going to the same ghosts Sam Darnold saw. Atlanta’s players were annoying,,,might I actually root for Bradley to win a game? Didn’t decide the game but I thought the ref didn’t do us any favors. Lot of decisions given age of some players. Blake has to have hurt his value on the market but he no longer is a difference maker.
Does anyone remember the last time the Union converted a corner kick? I couldn't, so I looked it up: September 15, 2018 The corner was taken by a guy who's no longer with the Union (Dockal) and was finished by a guys who hasn't played a n months (Trusty). https://www.brotherlygame.com/platf...ladelphia-union-corner-kick-struggles-concern Not that this would have made a difference tonight, but if they had converted even a handful of corners this season, a few losses may have been draws, and a few draws may have been wins. That would have been the difference between third place and second or even first this uear. That means tonight's game would have been help in Chester, maybe even after a first round bye.
Not the result I wanted (or thought), but the effort was there. Unfortunately I think even our best effort was only going to be 80% - a lot of tired looking legs out there after the cold/rainy 120 mins in Chester. Great season though, and I really hope they can build on it. I shudder to think what the fandom will look like if we regress sharply next season.
Maybe not directly off a corner but thought we had one where it went directly to Fabian or a short pass then across for a long shot by someone. I think one of those trick plays worked but overall yeah, they suck at corners since Casey left.
Too complicated but the analysis would be # corners and what % result in GK catch, goal kick with no touches, throw in from other side with no touches, clearance with no offensive touches, shots, goals saves. Sub-total by Threat vs No-Threat. With no analysis other than my two eyes, Union had too many corners that produced no threat.