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After Atlanta United’s win over NYCFC, which temporarily put them atop the Eastern Conference, pressure was high for the Philadelphia Union to put together a positive performance on Sunday.
Much of the match was far from pretty, with the Union often lacking creativity and decisiveness in the final third of the pitch. However, a wild 78th minute goal by Jack Elliott secured all three points and the Union remained at the top of the Eastern Conference for an 11th straight week and went six games above 0.500 for the first time in franchise history.
Philadelphia Union vs Houston Dynamo Stats
| Category | Category | Philadelphia Union | Houston Dynamo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Category | Philadelphia Union | Houston Dynamo |
| Outside Box Shots | Outside Box Shots | 4 | 4 |
| Danger Area Shots | Danger Area Shots | 5 | 7 |
| xG | xG | 0.88 | 0.26 |
| Chances Created | Chances Created | 7 | 7 |
| Big Chances | Big Chances | 2 | 1 |
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Whether this was a predetermined tactic, or a ‘take what the defense gives you’ situation, the Union displayed a significant left sided bias when attacking, highlighting the importance of Kai Wagner, who has emerged as a key figure in the Union’s starting eleven. Haris Medunjanin continues to be a crucial player in midfield connecting the otherwise isolated attack.
By the Numbers:
3- Chances created by Marco Fabian, leading all players
8- Ball recoveries by Alejandro Bedoya, while he did not feature much offensively, Bedoya was committed to defending during a very even game
91- Passes completed in the final third for the Union (67.5% completion rate)
16- Passes completed in the final third for Jamiro Monteiro (Second only to Haris Medunjanin) despite playing less than a half
6- Clearances by Jack Elliott, leading all players, including a critical open goal clearance
3- Tackles won by Alejandro Bedoya, leading all players (Tied with Medunjanin), highlighting his commitment to defending
0.15- Expected goals from open play for the Union, highlighting how offensively they struggled to create clear chances to score
27- Attempted take-ons for the Union, of which 8 were successful, which led to the game being very back and forth as both teams struggled to maintain long stretches of possession at times.
70- Completed passes for Haris Medunjanin, at an 88.8% Completion rate, which led all players
1039- Possession chains this season featuring Haris Medunjanin, leading all MLS and over 300 more than second place (Eduard Atuesta, LAFC)