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Last weekend’s game against the Chicago Fire was certainly one to forget. In addition to the dreadful performance put on by the Union, the Portland Timber’s lost to Atlanta United at home, meaning the Union dropped to second place in the East for the first time since week 14. The Union have a critical run of games in the last 8 fixtures of the season with NYCFC, Atlanta United, and LAFC at home. It will be very important for the Union to not only get results from these fixtures, but perform at a high level, leading into what will hopefully be a playoff game at home.
Jim Curtin started Marco Fabian up front which led to an extremely congested midfield as Fabian dropped deep to retrieve the ball from Medunjanin. This led to Przybylko being extremely isolated up front, as well as the isolation of Bedoya and Gaddis out on the right wing. It would be safe to say that this lineup change by Curtin did not bring the best out of the Union from an attacking point of view. For Moving forward, it would make sense for Marco Fabian to be free to roam and create behind the two strikers, rather than start up top as one of them.
Union vs Chicago Stats - August 17, 2019
| Category | Category | Philadelphia Union | Chicago Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Category | Philadelphia Union | Chicago Fire |
| Outside Box Shots | Outside Box Shots | 7 | 1 |
| Danger Area Shots | Danger Area Shots | 11 | 4 |
| xG | xG | 2.39 | 1.98 |
| Chances Created | Chances Created | 15 | 4 |
| Big Chances | Big Chances | 2 | 2 |
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Key Numbers
214- Attacking third passes completed by the Union compared to 38 by the Chicago Fire
4- Shots by Jack Elliot, leading the Union and double that of Kacper Przybylko (2). Its not exactly an ideal attacking strategy to have your center back leading the team in shots
20- Crosses by the union, with only 5 completed. The Union lacked precision in their chance creation and finishing this match. Far too many chances fizzled out due to a misplaced pass, cut out cross, or poor shot
5- Chances created by Kai Wagner, leading the team (Jack Elliot was 2nd with 3)
1- Chance created by Marco Fabian. Against a 10-man Chicago Fire, it was evident that Fabian struggled to get involved in the attack when positioned up top.
1.9- Expected points gained from this game for the Union based on the statistics. The Union dominated the second half from a possession and chances created point of view, however struggled to get back in the game due to the inability to put away the chances when they fell
3- Tackles by Collin, leading the team
Sources: American Soccer Analysis, StatsZone, Betweentheposts.net