PBP: 2021 CCL Round of 16 - Leg 2: Union vs. Deportivo Saprissa, April 14, 2021 p/d/p

I see them getting an early 1-0 lead and then losing it in the last 20 minutes as they try to bunker for the win. 1-1 draw, Union pull through and advance to face Atlanta in the second round.

 

I don’t think they’ll lose, and should move on.

 

Tickets have gone from about $30 on third-party sites to $90+ already since Wednesday.

 

Wow...

Hoping for a deep run in the CCL and that that run will give the whole squad confidence for the league campaign.

 

Looked at Stub Hub just now and only about 30 tickets up. Everything over 100 and over 125 if you don't want the corner. The only ones near the middle are over 200. Who would have thought, a market for union tickets?

I'm still planning on going. My initial investment was the "Two Bens for Ben" to reserve a spot for season tickets before they had a team name. This is a bit of history I'd like to see in person.

 

Can't wait for this game and being back in the stadium. Hope the beer 'tent' is open!!

 

This sounds about right.

 

Looks like 2 Saprissa players and one of the technical staff tested positive for Covid and will not make the trip. Translation of the text from the team per the union website:

“Deportivo Saprissa has informed that, after completing the viral tests required by Concacaf, before Wednesday's on April 14th between Philadelphia Union and Saprissa, it has been concluded that two players and one member of the technical staff have given positive Covid-19 results.

In accordance with the Ministry of Health, under the supervision of the Medical Commission of Unafut and in accordance with the guidelines of Concacaf, the people infected began their quarantine period this Friday, April 9th, until the 24th of the same month.

Deportivo Saprissa will maintain constant monitoring of the three positive cases and will reiterate it's commitment to adhere to the protocols and guidelines from the health authorities.”

Wondering if one of those players is Blanco. Might be better for his health to have COVID than to have to face Wagner and the other Union players after last week's tackle/

 

All it took was a global pandemic and 25% capacity! (and winning, I don't know which part was the unlikeliest!)

 

You have to wonder. Saprissa might have thought about it and said, "Yeah, maybe better for you to sit this one out." I'm imagining the reception he would get from the fans and players would not be pleasant.

 

#Saprissa. No Marvin Angulo, Ariel Rodriguez, Orlando Sinclair and Esteban Rodríguez due to injury. No Fabricio Aleman, Mariano Torres and Aubrey David due to COVID. No Kendall Waston due to stupidity.

Yikes. #CCL https://t.co/wqhvmsgJKZ

— CRCFutbol (@crcfutbol) April 13, 2021

 

Same starting lineup as the first leg.

Home. Sweet. Home.

📝👉https://t.co/yeIzSnCLjp#DOOP | #SCCL pic.twitter.com/rA3hkauY5U

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) April 14, 2021

 

Looking like a preseason team. Need to put this away ASAP. The longer its 0-0 the more hope Saprissa will have. Good teams put their opponents away and quash the desire in opponents. Union have been blessed with some poor play from Saprissa after bad giveaways .

 

Okay, nevermind

 

Considering it's CONCACAF, I'm surprised we were awarded a penalty there. Nicely converted by Jamiro.

 

That went better than I thought it would.

 

Jamiro with the Big $$$ performance tonight.

My lord how this team has changed since JC took over.

It wasn't that long ago that the likes of steven Vitoria, Richie Marquez, and Ken Tribbet were regulars in defense...

They sold TWO best 11 caliber players in the offseason. They look as if they aren't skipping a beat. Oh, and an attacking midfielder started at second striker due to injuries to the 2-4 strikers.

Granted, this Saprissa team would have struggled against the 2017 Union, but it was still an impressive performance in the Unions first two competitive games of the season (against a mid season team).

 

That was certainly fun.

 

Definitely went better than I expected. This depleted Saprissa side were not in any way challengers.

Mbaizo looked to me like he improved overall from the first leg. Despite having a very good feel for delivering well-timed and well-struck crosses into the area, he seems to struggle with turnovers--especially with any kind of pressure applied. Last night, while not perfect in that regard, he looked tidier in possession. It will be something to watch going forward since the scouting report on him should be to immediately close the space when he possesses the ball in order to negate his strengths on the edge.

 

Atlanta will be a much tougher opponent for the Union than Saprissa was. But, having watched them play both legs against Alajuelense, they were marginally better than their opponents in both matches. Saprissa actually plays Alajuelense on Sunday, so it could provide an intriguing data point of comparison between the two sides.

 

Soooo, Saprissa got blasted 0-5 by Alajuelense on Sunday. Not much to be gained by trying to analyze Atlanta by that metric.