Immediate Reaction: Prevent Once Again Costs The Union Two Points

by Scott Kessler on Oct 2, 2011 10:39 PM EDT in Game Day

Tonight proved once again that the Philadelphia Union cannot figure out how to properly save a lead. A goal by Chivas USA striker Juan Pablo Angel in the 90th minute of the game took the air out of the Union's chance to go back to the top of the Eastern Conference table.

Head coach Piotr Nowak deserves the criticism that comes his way for his management of the game tonight. In yet another impossibly foolish attempt to play very defensive soccer for between 15-20 minutes, Nowak brought in Kyle Nakazawa for Justin Mapp, the man who had put the Union ahead only 15 minutes prior. The substitute would eventually be one of three Union players who were unable to either mark Angel or defend the cross that led to the game tying goal.

Only four minutes away from two extra points that would have all but cemented the Union's place in the playoffs. However, the team's continued reliance on completing switching up the game plan lost it points.

Something has to give, something really does have to give. Freddy Adu needs to show why the Union chose to sign him to such a large contract, Nowak needs to show he can manage to finish a game that has a large window with a lead and he needs to show why his personnel changes are so drastic.

The Union did not look like a playoff team for much of the game and really didn't deserve to go ahead when they did. It took determination from one of the most likely sources on the team, the much maligned Mapp, to get that goal. A lack of creativety out of the middle without Torres playing there, no help for Le Toux up front because Veljko Paunovic is off form and hasn't partnered well with the Frenchman in what seems like forever... these are things that cause problems for the team not only in the regular season, but especially in the potential postseason.

Chivas is a team that the Union should be taking three points from, a team that the Union should have used a potential playoff line up against because it was the fourth to last game of the season. Yet neither of those things happened.

This reaction is a rant because the performance dictated that it become one. It's incredibly frustrating to watch a team throw away game after game, clearly wanting to play to a draw versus striving for a full three points.

Ugh.

What are your thoughts?

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Comments

Questionable squad selection does indeed continue, but let’s not underestimate the value of a point on the road playing on short rest late in the season against an opponent in good form. Overall, I’m still pleased with the result.

What I am not pleased with is the performance of certain substitutions you noted quite well in your rant above (Nakazawa mostly, but also Adu). Naka offered nothing as a substitute and failed to play tight defense when we needed it most. Adu just isn’t providing that extra bit of quality we expect of a player with his pedigree, and frankly, his price tag.

Paunovic is indeed off form, and it’s questionable why we haven’t seen our dynamic young forwards in such a long while. McInerney makes excellent runs and could have been useful in counterattacking late in the game. Mwanga, I have no idea what is going on there. Torres is central to our attack and should start the rest of the season, if only to be substituted when the game is in hand. Nowak must realize this. Maybe he didn’t play because of the short rest factor. I don’t know.

I share your frustration, Scott, but tonight isn’t as bad as it might feel right now.

by Thomas Rzucidlo on Oct 2, 2011 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

Personnel decisions, game plans

substitutions. These have all been questionable at some point this season. Obviously we are not in the thick of things so maybe Nowak is seeing things we can’t possibly fathom but then he is making poor decisions based off of that knowledge and that is something we can all see in the final result.
Why wasn’t totrres starting? our offense has been invigorated since he claimed a starting role. I thought maybe it was tto rest him, but then we put him in at the beginning of the second half so the rest thing couldn’t have been the reason. Yes mapp scored our goal tonight but in all actuality he hasn’t done anything to deserve that spot back. Paunovic is running cold again, and Adu has done exactly crap for us. yeah he has scored a goal but overall? His contract value states that he should be one of our most dynamic players and he is not. We have a better option in a rookie player(Marfan) who is probably making league minimum. There must be internal strife for McInerny to be relegated to afterthought. I believe he could add more then Paunovic up top.
All I know is tonight I seen a team that will get bounced in the first round of the playoffs and has a lot of growing to do. I guess it makes sense since we are so young, but I think we have the players to be better then that.

"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins

Mike Vick is a piece of shit

We be journalizing, son.
by JimmyK on Jul 21, 2011 7:21 PM EDT

by Talon Talent on Oct 2, 2011 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

Obviously letting in the late goal is tough

But the Union are still in great shape. In fact, it’s really better to finish in 2nd or 3rd than in 1st, since 1st will probably have to play FC Dallas or Colorado. Besides being better than SKC or Columbus, the travel is the bigger issue.

And between 2nd and 3rd, there’s basically no difference.

The Union are perfectly fine, as long as they can beat Toronto at home, and preferably get a draw in either the Seattle game or the New York game.

Philadelphia Union beat writer at Soccer By Ives. Madridista de corazón. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @joeysamuel

by Joey Samuel on Oct 2, 2011 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

I would be interested in a odometer for the players

Le Toux runs non-stop. But in the first half Farfan and Old Serb could not match the energy. He would have a dangerous run but it was 1 vs 4. Support always late coming to help. Alot of walking.

Also the ref let alot of fouls go I thought (on both sides). The physicality led to a pretty ugly first half. I mean the 1st half the Union looked sloppy and lethargic out there.

Amazing the difference a few days and a flight out west make.

by Phillyfootballfan on Oct 3, 2011 6:52 AM EDT reply actions

Question.

Does Danny Mwanga still play for the Philadelphia Union?

by Buzzkill_Ed on Oct 3, 2011 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

answer:

every once in awhile a man in his uniform shows up, but this man is afraid to rip a shot so it definitely can’t be him.

"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins

Mike Vick is a piece of shit

We be journalizing, son.
by JimmyK on Jul 21, 2011 7:21 PM EDT

by Talon Talent on Oct 3, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Not concerned about our form in the postseason

because I don’t think we’re going to the postseason. Any time this team has a chance to help itself, they fall flat.

Days like yesterday make me wish I hated sports.

by sully127 on Oct 3, 2011 9:08 AM EDT reply actions

Take a deep breath....

The expectation of playing on two days rest and a 3000 mile trip should have been a point at best all along. Yes, the ending is frustrating because we had 3 in the bag. I was fine with the starting lineup because we dont know who responds well to little rest and Nowak seems to be favoring a 4-1-4-1 on the road lately. However, even chasing 3 points gives little reason to make two subs at the half. It just doesn’t make sense considering the long triop and the fact that he introduced two very similar players at the same time (although Rogers is definately the better of the two at this point). The U will be fine and make the playoffs.

I will add this rant though…. what exactly does Naka do on the field? He doesn’t creat, he can’t score and his free kicks are awful (lthough highly touted). Too make matters worse, he has cost us at least 4 point by failing to mark Mastreoni (sp?) in the Rapids game on a throw in and failed to mark Angel in this game…… I really hope montreal sees something in him and takes him off our hands!

by dangeroo on Oct 3, 2011 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

No Defensive Support

If you’re bringing in Kyle Nakazawa to secure a lead, that means you don’t have a defensive midfielder or defender you can trust to clamp down.

That’s only a sliver of the problem though. The team is too passive when trying to protect a lead. The same type of approach succeeded for New England – drive the flank, cross to the far post, and head against the grain across the goal mouth (in Angel’s case, he wasn’t even that accurate). Someone needs to learn to put pressure on those areas, not let them get off unabated crosses. And KEEP POSSESSION. We’re too quick to just boom the ball down the pitch and allow the opponent to easily return to their offensive third.

by earl_of_reed on Oct 3, 2011 10:51 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs