PBP: 2023 CCL Semifinals - Leg 1: Union vs. Los Angeles FC, April 26, 2023 p/d/p

In terms of squad rotation, is it fair to assume Jim will prioritize this game over this weekend's match against TFC?

 

Recent history would suggest this is a fair assumption.

By the way, a 9:00pm start time mid-week? Does this primetime start mean we've made the big time?

 

When they played Club America in the CCL Semi the game was at 9PM also.

I doubt it. The Union have next weekend off from MLS play. They need to get a win at home against TFC to get their season back on track. Jim has shown that he'll lean on the Sports Science Department, and play his prefered 11.

If Lowe is healthy I would expect him to start against LAFC.

 

Did the league move the Union's League games prior to the ANY of their Open Cup Semifinals/Finals? Did the League accommodate them for their CCL run in 2021??

 

I hope we beat them in both legs. Can't stand clubs that brazenly cheat.

 

Sadly if MLS had the same TV deal as the past decade this likely doesn't happen as LAFC-Houston would be an UniMas game. There's no way they approve this game being moved.

LA is the deepest team in the league......Houston should be pissed, they're playing well. Now they will be without Herrera possibly for this game in June (Nations League).

 

We’re 7 Days Away from the 2nd Leg of the Champions League Semifinals in LA, and LAFC has not opened up ticket sales to the General Public

https://www.ticketmaster.com/concac...stid=2451856&brand=lafc&refArtist=K8vZ917p0D0

With the Union struggling to sell tickets, and LAFC not even selling tickets, I'm guessing neither match will be sold out.

I presume both matches will be like the MLS Cup or the past couple of regular season matches. Ending in multi-goal draws.

EDIT:

LAFC fans have pointed out to me that there is a second, completely separate Ticketmaster Link for the 2nd Leg, but it is listed as being sold out, with the only available tickets being "Verified Re-Sale"

https://www.ticketmaster.com/concac...kets&utm_source=lafc.com&utm_content=schedule

 

I'll be there tonight and hope to be unable to speak above a whisper tomorrow. I will admit that if we go down by 2 goals I will probably leave early. 9pm on a weeknight is tough and I suspect it really killed the ticket sales.

 

Why in earth did they choose a 9:00 pm local start? Absurd.

 

Because a 10 pm local start might have been too suspicious a display of favoritism towards LAFC.

I notice the second leg starts at 7pm local time in LA rather than 6pm so you can't argue its to get the game in prime time for the away team

 

Just a classic Union choke job. Pass the ball right into the body of a teammate. Unforced turnover right to a goal.

They have to score a goal in LA to have a chance. I don't know if they can.

Not feeling good about this one at all, boys.

 

Damn that was frustrating. I hope those missed chances don't end up costing us a trip to the Final.

 

Thank goodness Curtin saved those 3 substitutions...........

 

Who did you want him to bring in, and for whom?

Last three trips to LAFC:

3-3
2-2
3-3

I hate LAFC. They literally came to Philly to get a 0-0 draw. They did not want to be here tonight.

 

C'mon guys what the heck with all the negativity? I know our form in the league hasn't been the best but we got a result on the road at atlas at altitude to be here. No disrespect to LA but I consider that a harder lift than getting a result at LA. Also LA has been rolling but who the F did they have to play to get here? It's going to be another epic contest and our team is in it and we can win it.

 

It was very clear that fresh legs were needed. Bedoya for certain should have come off for Perea. Perea has consistently shown that he tracks back much, much better than Bedoya. Not trying to be mean or pessimistic, but it's apparent that Bedoya should not be a 90 min player. Really he should be a reserve. Plus Bedoya had played a full 90 min on Saturday. And that was with a 4-0 lead at home, with Curtin knowing that he would trot out essentially the same lineup vs LAFC and he didn't take the opportunity to rest guys in preparation for last night??? Carranza was pretty gassed and there was no need to play with 2 strikers at that point in the game. So I'm thinking Bueno could have come in and played next to Flach at DM. Lowe could have been brought in for a 5 man back line

 

So, Curtin made FOUR subs against TFC......One was Bueno coming on for Bedoya....Sullivan came on for Uhre at 60', Flach came on for McGlynn, and Perea came on for Martinez.

Who are you bringing in for Carranza??? Donovan? I don't think so. Carranza was fine. If you want to argue that Uhre should have come off 10 minutes earlier for Sullivan I'd agree.

Perea for Bedoya? That's not the sub. Perea is a central player. Personally I would have prefered Bueno for Martinez, and then Flach for McGlynn. Bedoya was not gassed. The irrational bias negativity towards Bedoya the past couple of seasons has been unwarranted. Bedoya is still one of the best midfielders in MLS, and when he's not on the field the Union aren't as good.

 

Never said that Curtin didn't make FOUR subs.
Yup. Bedoya was subbed out in the 83rd minute and Martinez in the 86th minute. They should have come out much earlier with such a big lead.

As I said, it could have been a strategy to bring in Bueno for Carranza and go with another DM next to Flach and then play with one striker.

I agree that Perea is more of a central player, but Curtin has been using him outside and he's played very well. Sorry, we disagree on Bedoya's effectiveness.