Brotherly Game - The Whole Story: Matchday 16 The Vancouver Whitecaps Visit Before The BreakThe beautiful game with a Philadelphia attitudehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48005/brotherlygame-fave.png2014-06-11T07:00:04-04:00http://www.brotherlygame.com/rss/stream/55490712014-06-11T07:00:04-04:002014-06-11T07:00:04-04:00Good, Bad, Ugly Philly Union; Match Day 16
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<figcaption>John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A terrible first half, an inspired second half comeback, and a let down lead the Philadelphia Union to more dropped points. The World Cup break finds the Union on the outside looking in, but with the firing of manager John Hackworth there's plenty of time to fix what has gone wrong.</p> <p><b>The Good: Bye, Bye, Hackworth</b></p>
<p>Originally I was going to go with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Union's</a> ability to focus - even if for just a short portion of the game to come storming back and show what this team is actually capable of. In the beginning of the year there was a buzz around the team because finally there were creative players in place that could be a devastating offensive force. A team that was supposed to be able to bury other teams in the blink of an eye - and we finally saw that in action. Too bad they were digging out from a two goal hole rather than burying the opponent.</p>
<p>Instead of talking more about that short span of attacking brilliance, the best part about the Vancouver game was the end of the <span>John Hackworth</span> era. With yesterday's announcement of the firing, the Union are now able to turn the page on a frustrating year and a half and start moving forward. There were no more excuses this year for Hackworth after he was given free rein to change the team and make it his own. Now there will be no more of Hackworth blaming everyone <i>but </i>Hackworth for the problems plaguing the team.</p>
<p>It's a good day to be a Union fan.</p>
<p><b>The Bad: Ups and Downs</b></p>
<p>The Union have still failed to put together a full 90 minute performance this season. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://delete.sbnprivate.com/">Chivas USA</a> would be the closes to that, however, it is hard to call Chivas USA an MLS opponent. There have been soaring highs, such as the previously mentioned offensive outburst against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a>, but there have been equally drastic lows, such as the first half against Vancouver.</p>
<p>While the saying goes you're never as good as your best performance and never as bad as your worst performance, the Union need to find a way to level out the performances and bring the average performance to a much higher level. <span>Zac MacMath</span> can't be expected to make huge save after huge save and bail out the defense as much as he has. On the other side of the field, the forwards need to finish with much greater efficiency than has been shown this season. <span>Conor Casey</span> has shown well the last two games, but can he keep it up?</p>
<p><b>The Ugly: What Could Have Been</b></p>
<p>Portland - 2 points dropped</p>
<p>Montreal - 2 points dropped</p>
<p>Chicago - 2 points dropped</p>
<p>Seattle - 3 points dropped</p>
<p>Vancouver - 2 points dropped</p>
<p>From a winning position, the Union have dropped eleven points this season, while only gaining one point (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a>) from a losing position. The team discipline has been lacking when up a goal, and whoever is brought in as manager must learn to get the team to focus in the second half and close out games. A prime example was just this week - there is no way a team should get a breakaway late in the game when up a goal like <span>Darren Mattocks</span> did.</p>
<p>The difference in the standings between the Union and first place is only eight points. With anywhere from one to five more games played than the teams sitting in the playoff spots, the Union now face an uphill battle. If they were able to close out games and win at least six of those eleven dropped points, the pressure would be on other teams to play catch up when they are playing a more bunched schedule this fall. Instead, the Union have to play a major game of catch up while playing against a stacked deck. Games against Eastern Conference foes become doubly important, and those teams can afford a draw against the Union. Anything less than a win against these teams is another nail in the Union's playoff coffin.</p>
<p>All that being said, after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> break, its a whole new season.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/6/11/5797054/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-philadelphia-union-match-day-16-john-hackworth-firedAndrew Stoltzfus2014-06-10T10:00:04-04:002014-06-10T10:00:04-04:00Poetry Corner Kicks stays positive.
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<figcaption>Maidana hugs the French Connection. | John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Poetry Corner Kicks ignores the bad and stays positive.</p> <p>A tie with the <a href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> ain’t bad. Unfortunately, the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> are still only gaining 0.94 points per game, which at this point in the season, is only better than Montreal and Chivas. On the plus side, <span>Conor Casey</span>. In fact, let’s stay positive with this recap shall we? The Union had a furious eight-minute run in the second half, which was almost enough to win the thing. I’m feeling cheerful, so let’s do limericks, eh?</p>
<p align="center"><br><br>Before the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a> caused a break<br>The U had one more game to take<br>The Whitecaps would travel<br>To Philly to battle<br>A Union team prone to mistakes<br><br>But let us not dwell on the gaffes<br>Like allowing three goals to the ‘Caps<br>For there were eight minutes<br>We thought we could win it<br>That started in the second half<br><br>The U found themselves down by two<br>But there was still fight in the U<br>For in sixty-three<br>Conor came free<br>His head scored a goal right on cue<br><br>The scoring would shift to the French<br>One starter and one from the bench<br>Nogueira would cross<br>To Le Toux in the box<br>Who scored with his fists down and clenched<br><br>Then adding just three minutes more<br>The Union would increase their score<br>Casey’s shot fled<br>From his foot not his head<br>The score: two to one-less-than-four<br><br>Alas the ‘Caps found one more goal<br>Though the stats show the U had control<br>They were beat on the counter,<br>So tough to surmount-er<br>Their possession and shots don’t console<br><br>We wait now for World Cup to play<br>Will Hackworth leave Philly or stay<br>The goals have been humming<br>But points just aren’t coming<br>We’ll see what the break brings our way</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/6/10/5793360/union-whitecaps-poetrystocktonryan2014-06-10T07:00:02-04:002014-06-10T07:00:02-04:00Union 3-3 Whitecaps: Union Defense Reaches New Low
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<figcaption>John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The big picture analysis this week reveals a new franchise low for the Union defense. And we take a look inside the dominating possession performance by the Union against Vancouver.</p> <p>It's certainly good to see <span>Conor Casey</span> rounding that bald head into form. His two goals in the 3-3 draw brought life to PPL Park and going forward the Union might have a scoring option up top. And it's just in the nick of time as the storyline has now officially shifted from the Union's struggling offense to a defense that is getting shredded on a consistent basis. More on that topic in "The Big Picture."</p>
<p><b>Stat of the Match - </b></p>
<p>This game was a statistician's dream. The Union could not have dominated more, but they only pulled off the one point. The counterattack was the great neutralizer in the match and Vancouver had the dangerous players to pull it off. <b><i>The Union completed 120 passes in their attacking third compared to just 34 by Vancouver</i></b>. There have only been a handful of games in MLS this year where a team has had less than 34 completed passes in the attacking third. Only one of those games resulted in a point for the underachiever, so the Union are unfortunate indeed to have conceded points. The attacking passing led to the Union outshooting the Whitecaps 29-6 while owning 81% of the shots taken in the box.</p>
<p>Yet another game funnel looks good for the Union all the way through except for the goals. When looking at the game funnel look for any part of the funnel that doesn't look like a nice smooth funnel shape. This is where the statistical oddities in the match can be found. On the Union side it was the number of shots taken. They took 29 shots and they were good ones as well, with 17 coming from inside the box and their location weighted shots were 33.6. But for Vancouver it was all about the bottom line. Their funnel shape goes out of whack only on the goals line. They should have scored just 1.7 goals given their shots but they managed three. The Union clearly need to work on their counterattack defending.</p>
<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4583203/GameFunnelPhiVanJun72014.PNG"><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4583203/GameFunnelPhiVanJun72014_medium.PNG" alt="Gamefunnelphivanjun72014_medium" class="photo"></a> <br id="1402277165537"></p>
<p><b>Stat Zero of the Match - </b></p>
<p>Welcome to the MLS starting XI Zach Pfeffer. After showing well in two substitution appearances, Zach made his first start of the year - and it wasn't a memorable start. Zach touched the ball just 20 times in the first half turning over 2 of them. He never got involved defensively either registering just a single tackle among all the defensive statistics. Some will point to Fabinho getting juked to the ground by Hurtado on the Whitecap's second goal, but Fabinho was also involved on a number of key offensive linkages with Maidana in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half. Pfeffer did not impact the match positively so he is the zero of the match.</p>
<p><b>Stat Hero the Match -</b></p>
<p>For the second match in a row the race is close between Conor Casey and Cristian Maidana. Maidana assisted on all three goals and was the catalyst driving the offense with SIX key passes. But goals are still the most important statistic in soccer and Conor Casey had two of them. And neither goal was a gimme. This week the hero award goes to Casey for bringing the Union and PPL Park to life with two exciting goals.</p>
<p><b>The Big Picture - </b></p>
<p>At the end of the DC United match the Union were in the midst of an 0 for 55 shot shooting slump. No Union player had scored a goal for four consecutive matches. Since then the Union are averaging 2.4 goals per game, scoring 12 goals on 91 shots. The 12 goals over the last five matches actually ties a franchise high from the summer of last season. Now a 13% finishing rate isn't exactly lighting up the nets, and its only average (10%) when you take out the three penalty kick goals, but Union fans will take it.</p>
<p>What now can't be understood is the Union defense. For the first 11 games the Union allowed a merely pedestrian 1.27 goals per game. This was while waiting for <span>Sheanon Williams</span> to be fit and for the team to acclimate a new center back. But in the last five games the Union have allowed 2.6 goals per game, the worst defensive output for five games in franchise history. In fact, the next worse run of five games were the first games the Union ever played. They gave up 12 goes in their first five matches. Here is a chart that tells the odd story of the Union and goals in the 2014 season.</p>
<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4583211/Union_Goals_Chart_2014.PNG"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4583211/Union_Goals_Chart_2014_medium.PNG" alt="Union_goals_chart_2014_medium" class="photo"></a> <br id="1402277487102"></p>
<p>There doesn't appear to be any one thing or a particular lineup causing the decline. Wheeler, Berry, Okugo and Williams have all started at center back over that stretch. Carroll only played in the <a href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">LA Galaxy</a> match, but that was a terrible match where the Union allowed four goals. In four out of the five matches the right and left back were Gaddis and Fabinho, respectively. MacMath has been in goal every minute. Have the Union been pressing up more in an effort to change their scoring fortunes leaving more space for the defense to cover? Have the Union simply run into a stretch of hot offensive teams? Are the shuffling lineups finally catching up to the team?</p>
<p>Vote below and see what the Union fans think.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/6/10/5792126/union-whitecaps-defense-reaches-new-lowunionoscopy2014-06-09T07:00:03-04:002014-06-09T07:00:03-04:00Game Changers: Beast Mode
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<figcaption>John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Every week we "Monday Morning Manage" every game with our fellow Union faithful. What could have been done better? What were the missed opportunities? Did that sub really need to happen? We bring all the talking points to you each week right here.</p> <p>Having been ably deputized by the fantastic RohnJossi last week, I'm returning for this week's discussion of the game-changing moments from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union's</a> 3-3 draw with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a>.</p>
<p>Back in the <a href="http://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/5/5/5681070/union-sounders-analysis-hackworth-substitutions-macmath-penalty" target="_blank">Game-Changer article on May 5th</a>, I discussed the run of games the Union were about to embark on leading up to the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> break. Looking back: <a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United</a> (1-0 loss at home), <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a> (2-1 win away), <a href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Revolution</a> (5-3 loss at home), <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a> (4-1 loss away), <a href="https://delete.sbnprivate.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chivas USA</a> (3-0 win away), Vancouver (3-3 draw home). That's seven points out of a possible 18. Is that enough to keep <span>John Hackworth</span> in a job? Only time will tell.</p>
<p>In the past few weeks the Union have been scoring for fun it seems (2 goals per game). However, at the other end - they have given up 14 goals. That obviously points to lots of defensive issues to talk about this morning. Is that the case for Saturday's game? Lets find out.</p>
<p><b>1) Vancouver are a very good, young, quick team.</b></p>
<p>Unlike Chivas who last week were lethargic, slow, and poor - Vancouver are very quick going forward and have the ability to slice open any defense, never mind one as shaky as the Union's.</p>
<p>In the first goal, Conor Casey was applying pressure to the right back when seven touches and five passes later and <span>Erik Hurtado</span> was rising in the middle of the 6 yard box to easily head home past a helpless <span>Zac MacMath</span>. Vancouver's one-touch passing was beautiful to see, and the Union defense was all out of position, especially Fabinho, and it was not the last time Vancouver would take advantage of him Saturday evening.</p>
<p>In the second goal, Fabinho was left looking foolish on his rear-end as Hurtado, on the counter attack, crossed for Nicolas Mezquida to slot it home. Again, Vancouver's pace, power and skill were on show, and without <span>Brian Carroll</span> to mop up at the back, goal became the only possible outcome. The warning signs had been there all first half, as the Union seemed to allow Hurtado the freedom of PPL park to play in and Vancouver made them pay, giving the Whitecaps a deserved 2-0 half time lead.</p>
<p>The Whitecaps' third goal once again came against the run of play. <span>Cristian Maidana</span>'s cross got cleared out, and one touch from Hurtado allowed <span>Pedro Morales</span> to play a sublime pass through to <span>Darren Mattocks</span>, who was off to the races. Despite <span>Amobi Okugo's</span> great ability, he didn't have the pace to cover the speedy forward causing MacMath to come out to cut down the angle and make the save, but Mattocks had enough about him to take a touch around the keeper, and win the penalty when MacMath missed the ball and caught him instead. Despite other issues with the referee, he got this decision spot on.</p>
<p>Vancouver had just put a combined six goals past <a href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Sounders</a> and <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Timbers</a> and Saturday night they put on a clinic of incisive, quick attacking play that Union faithful wish their team could show every game.</p>
<p><b>2) Refereeing Issues.</b></p>
<p>While, as mentioned, the Vancouver penalty decision was correct, and the decision to not award the Union a penalty in the 77th minute when Casey's shot hit a defender in the arm/chest area also correct,* referee Jose Carlos Rivero had himself a bit of a nightmare.</p>
<p><i>*The defender's arm was in a natural position, inside the width of his body, therefore no penalty was the correct call. If the ball had struck the defender's other hand which was outside his body thus making him bigger, then a penalty and red card would have been the correct call.</i></p>
<p>First, you can look at an incident real early on. Following a dreadful two-footed, sliding tackle by <span>Jordan Harvey</span> on Ray Gaddis tensions seemed to be running especially high as Harvey had been involved in a tussle with Cruz a couple minutes prior. For some reason the referee thought it was okay to just give Harvey a verbal warning, when there should have definitely been a yellow card awarded.*</p>
<p><i>*And it was a tackle where you may see some referees believe it worthy of a red card!</i></p>
<p>With the score 1-0 in the 30th minute, Vancouver found themselves on a breakaway. A cross came in looking to find a Vancouver striker who could make it 2-0, and the shot was stopped. But it was not MacMath who made the save, but rather Gaddis with the aid of his hand. It was a clear handball and penalty (and even possible red card) that neither Rivero nor his assistant saw.</p>
<p>Into the 2nd half for the last glaring error from the referee. Have a look at the video below. Sorry for the poor quality recording from my laptop.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PxIMkuJTbTk" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>It seems that when Maidana's corner came in, Casey "pushed" the Vancouver player enough that it caused him to elbow the ball out of play. Instead of a corner or penalty, Rivero gave apparently whistled foul on Casey's push, though there wasn't anywhere near enough of a shove to warrant a free kick. That play could have been whistled a bunch of things, but free kick to Vancouver is among the last of them.</p>
<p><b>3) Half-time substitution</b></p>
<p>I don't know who or what it was, but something changed at half time within the team. A poor, sluggish first half turned into possibly the greatest half of entertainment a Hackworth team has ever provided. Three goals, many more chances, and a fired up team battling for every free ball.</p>
<p>A lot of that may have came from the addition of Michael Lahoud. Lahoud recently arrived back from a successful African Nations qualifier game, where <a target="_blank" href="http://www.johnnymckinstry.com/~johnnymc/index.php/latest/latest-leone-stars/59-sierra-leone-beat-swaziland-1-0-2nd-leg-of-afcon-qualifier-31-may-2014.html.">he won a penalty that allowed Sierra Leone get past Swaziland and advance in AFCON</a>.</p>
<p>Lahoud sat back in the DM role, allowing <span>Maurice Edu</span> and <span>Vincent Nogueira</span> to push further forward. Coming off for Lahoud was young <span>Zach Pfeffer</span>, who had a quiet first half playing left wing in the 4-2-3-1, a position not natural for Pfeffer. Pfeffer coming off allowed for Maidana to go into the "left sided striker" role, where he excelled in the second half.</p>
<p><b>4) <span>Conor Casey's</span> Confidence is Climbing. </b></p>
<p>With two goals against Chivas USA, Casey's confidence was obviously increasing and he displayed that on Saturday, where <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/KevinKCBS3/status/475647717062889473">he had nine shots</a>, equaling the number he had taken for the rest of the season combined. He was the only real threat in the first half, and it was his header that opened the floodgates for the Union in the second half. Casey managed to get his head onto Maidana's cross putting the ball into the back of the net via the post. Then seven minutes later he scored from the edge of the box to give the Union a 3-2 lead. It's great to see Casey back scoring goals, and if he continues this play it will go a long way to shoring up the Union's striker problem. Now if only the Union could fix all those other problems.</p>
<p><b>5) Chaco Maidana turning on Beast mode.</b></p>
<p>In his last few games Maidana has been outstanding. He has tallied two goals, four assists and could have even had a few more assists. Like all creative players he has his issues. For example, early in the game on Saturday he tried a back-heel pass a Vancouver player intercepted on the edge of the Union's 18-yard box. However, a lot of the creativity from the Union comes with the ball at Maidana's feet. His cross to Casey last week in StubHub Center was simply sublime and the one on Saturday wasn't far behind it. If Casey hadn't put it into the net there was a good chance a Vancouver defender would have. His pass to Nogueira for Sebastien Le Toux's goal was perfect, and if only Okugo were only two inches taller, Maidana would have had a four assist game as his extremely dangerous free kick in the first half caused David Ousted in the Vancouver goal to panic.</p>
<p>If Maidana continues to create and Casey continues to finish well, the Union single season assists record will probably be exceeded. For the Union to have a chance at a successful season, they need to keep feeding Maidana (and Nogueira) the ball in dangerous positions.</p>
<p><b>6) The fans in PPL Park finally woke up.</b></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>This is the loudest I've ever heard PPL Park, and it's not even full.</p>
— Kevin Kinkead (@KevinKCBS3) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinKCBS3/statuses/475089163524775936">June 7, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>After reading lots of tweets about the noise Costa Rica fans made in Friday night's friendly at PPL Park, it was a sadly eerie and quiet atmosphere for the first half on Saturday. Fans were not inspired to sing to and a nervous hush had engulfed the whole stadium.</p>
<p>That all changed in the second half. Seeing the Union play an entertaining half of soccer featuring loads of offensive firepower got the crowd excited. Some close chances (post shot and good saves from Ousted) got the crowd going and once the first goal went in they were firmly into it. From then on, the noise level kept increasing as Le Toux came on as a sub and equalized a few minutes later and Casey soon thereafter gave the Union the lead. It was the noisiest Union fans have been all year by a long way.</p>
<p>The fans and players really do have a symbiotic relationship. The fans need the players to show ability, effort, and skill to get them excited. The players live off that buzz the fans give, further energizing the match. Let's hope that the atmosphere that existed in the second half continues for the rest of the season and the Union can make PPL Park the fortress fans desperately want it to be.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/6/9/5791374/union-whitecaps-analysis-conor-casey-cristian-maidana-zac-macmathbluetooner2014-06-08T00:24:19-04:002014-06-08T00:24:19-04:00RECAP: Union 3-3 Whitecaps
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<figcaption>John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Union fell behind 2-0 but this time mounted a furious rally only to see it all fall to pieces on an 80th minute penalty.</p> <p>After sending out another different starting XI, <span>John Hackworth's</span> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> found themselves in a similar situation. Poor play, missed opportunities, and opposition goals all led everyone to believe the Union would enter the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> break with another feckless loss. Down 2-0 at half time, Hackworth appeared to be waving the white flag on the game and possibly his managerial tenure by bringing on <span>Michael Lahoud</span> at the start of the second half. But thanks to a furious second half rally that saw three Union goals in eight minutes, the Union took the lead only to see it disappear after a Vancouver penalty, all culminating in a thrilling 3-3 draw Saturday evening at PPL Park.</p>
<p>In a surprise move to start the game, Hackworth switched his starting formation from the usual 4-3-3 we have seen for most of the year to a 4-2-3-1 with Fabinho, <span>Amobi Okugo</span>, <span>Sheanon Williams</span>, and Ray Gaddis in the back, <span>Vincent Nogueira</span> and <span>Maurice Edu</span> in the double pivot, <span>Zach Pfeffer</span>, <span>Cristian Maidana</span>, and <span>Danny Cruz</span> as the band of attacking midfielders, and <span>Conor Casey</span> up top as the lone striker.</p>
<p>The first goal came in the 18th minute and it came on a picture perfect counterattack from Vancouver that culminated with a one-touch cross from <span>Nigel Reo-Coker</span> to <span>Erik Hurtado</span> whose header got past a diving Zac MacMath. Sometimes one has to tip their hat to the opposition and say well done, and that goal was one of those occasions.</p>
<p>The Union had many chances to equalize, but each time the Union either missed the net, could not register a shot, or were denied by Whitecaps keeper David Ousted. And worse yet for the Union, Vancouver's entertaining brand of attacking soccer harmed the Union once again in the 41st minute, when another counterattack led to another goal and put the Union in a 2-0 hole, this time it was Nicolas Mezquida finishing the play off a cross from Hurtado.</p>
<p>It looked lost heading into the break, and seemed even more lost when John Hackworth subbed out Pfeffer for Michael Lahoud, but the Union would launch a furious second half rally that electrified PPL Park in a manner in which it had never before been electrified this season. The Union got their first goal from a Fabinho through ball leading to a Maidana cross and yet another diving header from Casey in the 63rd minute. There's something......majestic is not the word......entertaining?....about a guy Casey's size diving for balls like he does, and this header had the added benefit of good fortune as it found its way into the net only after striking woodwork.</p>
<p><span>Sebastien Le Toux</span> shortly thereafter came into the game, and shortly thereafter that, he evened the ledger. Running in on goal, Le Toux caught onto a perfectly placed Maidana chip on the break. Union fans had reason to celebrate. The fun was not over yet, though. Just a couple minutes after that the Union took what ten minutes ago would have been seen as an improbable lead. Receiving the ball from outside the box, Casey struck a perfect low line shot that found its way past Ousted and into the corner of the net, giving the Union a 3-2 lead and sending PPL Park into a frenzy of cheers.</p>
<p>But 10 minutes later all those cheers would become boos. Making a play on the ball in the box, the referee saw MacMath take down David Mattocks in the box and whistled penalty for Vancouver. MacMath protested greatly, but he had missed the ball and gotten only Mattocks, warranting the call. Despite his 3/3 record on penalty saves this season and guessing right again this time, <span>Pedro Morales</span> snuck the ball past the Union keeper to even the score at three apiece.</p>
<p>The Union would have more chances on goal, but each time Ousted was up to the task of parrying the ball away from danger, and despite the furious second half rally, the Union were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw and two more dropped points at PPL Park this season. While certainly one of the most entertaining Union games of the season, the Union would have really enjoyed heading into the World Cup break with a two-game win streak, especially with one of those wins being against a very good <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> team.</p>
<p>But instead, two more dropped points and another draw, and now questions will be asked of John Hackworth and the Union Front Office as we transition into the three-week long World Cup break. If the Union were to fire Hackworth mid-season, as far as timing and logistics are concerned, now would be the most logical time to do it given the break. Regardless of what happens though, for a team once believed to be a playoff contender, the Union will have to face tough questions many thought three months ago they would not be forced to answer.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/6/8/5789992/union-whitecaps-boxscore-recap-conor-caseyJustin F.2014-06-07T18:00:08-04:002014-06-07T18:00:08-04:00GAME THREAD: Union vs. Whitecaps
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/efcMm0m2uKoG79AS3EKLQ548RAQ=/3x0:3996x2662/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34050429/20130831_jla_se7_899.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Is it World Cup time yet?</p> <table cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center">
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">UNION GAME #16</th>
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<td width="240"><center> <a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2232855/qee7soq7augbn2jofb315sw1i.gif"><img alt="Qee7soq7augbn2jofb315sw1i_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2232855/qee7soq7augbn2jofb315sw1i_medium.gif"></a> </center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">VS</th>
<td width="240"><center> <a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2232861/vk6eh75qeug9nejz5g4k1evlo.gif"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2232861/vk6eh75qeug9nejz5g4k1evlo_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Vk6eh75qeug9nejz5g4k1evlo_medium"></a> </center></td>
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<td bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><b>PPL Park, Chester, PA</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>June 7, 2014</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>7:00 PM ET</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>TCN - JP Dellacamera and Peter Pappas</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">
<b>Know Thy Enemy: </b><a href="http://www.eightysixforever.com/" target="_blank">Eighty Six Forever</a>
</td>
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">Starting XI</th>
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<td width="240" align="right">Is the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> here yet?</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Forward</th>
<td width="240">Boo Canada.</td>
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<td width="240" align="right">It can't come soon enough.</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Midfield</th>
<td width="240">But Canadian bacon is great.</td>
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<td width="240" align="right">Really, we need it.</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Defense</th>
<td width="240">Come at me, haters!</td>
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<td width="240" align="right">Please come here.</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Goalkeeper</th>
<td width="240">And Canadian accents are awesome too.</td>
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<td width="240" align="right">Now.</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Bench</th>
<td width="240">Oh, Canada.</td>
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">Stats (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/3/7/5481326/mls-advanced-statistics">Explained Here</a>)</th>
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<td width="240" align="right">.535 (3rd)</td>
<th width="20" align="center">TSR</th>
<td width="240">.517 (7th)</td>
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<td width="240" align="right">.492 (8th)</td>
<th width="20" align="center">DZR</th>
<td width="240">.443 (15th)</td>
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<td width="240" align="right">.514 (7th)</td>
<th width="20" align="center">xGR</th>
<td width="240">.532 (5th)</td>
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">Game Officials</th>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">Referee: Jose Carlos Rivera</td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">Assistant: Jeff Muschik</td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">Assistant: Danny Thornberry</td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3">Fourth: Mark Kadlecik</td>
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</table>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/6/7/5789424/game-thread-philadelphia-union-vs-vancouver-whitecapsJustin F.2014-06-06T07:00:02-04:002014-06-06T07:00:02-04:00Match Preview: Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
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<img alt="Designated Player Pedro Morales is the engine of Vancouver's offense." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dAGoOaGee6_1QAvvyw5zw1y2Afo=/0x76:4000x2743/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33983351/201405024_lbm_as9_072.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Designated Player Pedro Morales is the engine of Vancouver's offense. | Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After a 3-0 shutout on the road against a depleted Chivas USA side, the Philadelphia Union return home to play one of the hottest clubs in MLS - the dangerous Vancouver Whitecaps, led by midfield maestro Pedro Morales.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a></b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">PPL Park - Chester, PA</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">June 7th, 2014</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">7PM EST - The Comcast Network, TSN, MLS Live</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Last Saturday the Union played a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://delete.sbnprivate.com/">Chivas USA</a> side that was content with a bunker and counterattack gameplan (minus the counterattack). This weekend they will face a young Whitecaps team that attack with relentless fervor and employ more pace going forward than any club the Union have played thus far this season. With only one loss in six matches away from home, the Whitecaps have become one of the best MLS teams on the road.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>What to Expect from the Vancouver Whitecaps</b></p>
<p><span>Carl Robinson</span> is living proof that promoting an assistant coach to full-time manager <i>isn't</i> always a bad idea. The first-year manager sets his team up in a 4-2-3-1. Up top is the red-hot <span>Erik Hurtado</span>, the former fifth overall Superdraft pick who has scored 3 goals in his last three matches. With his burgeoning confidence and blinding speed, he managed to turn <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland's</a> <span><span>Osvaldo Alonso</span></span>, one of the best defensive midfielders in MLS, twice before slotting the ball into the net. If not Hurtado, expect to see the large, physical <span>Omar Salgado</span>. The 6'4" striker has largely been a bust since being controversially drafted first overall in 2011 (before <span>Darlington Nagbe</span>, <span>Will Bruin</span>, and the Union's very own <span>Zac MacMath</span>).</p>
<p>Behind Hurtado will be the play-maker: designated player <span>Pedro Morales</span>. The 29 year-old Chilean spearheads the ferocious Whitecaps attack with his pinpoint passing and nose for the goal. Morales has garnered 5 goals and 5 assists in just 11 matches. On either side of him will be Uruguayan (<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/06/05/vancouver-whitecaps-carl-robinson-comes-down-hard-sebastian-fernandezs-flop-">flopper</a>) <span>Sebastián Fernández </span>and promising starlet <span>Kekuta Manneh</span>, who will become a full-fledged star once he learns how to use his pace and agility to become a more consistent player. Be on the lookout for Canada's brightest hope for the future, <span>Russell Teibert</span>, and Jamaican international <span>Darren Mattocks</span>, one of the fastest players in MLS. This is a young, exciting, and freewheeling offense that will have the Union back-line dizzy if they aren't careful. It's as if no one has had the time to teach them that football is a cruel sport sometimes won by soulless, veteran squads dedicated to a boring, defensively minded style of play. For the sake of aesthetics I hope this day never comes.</p>
<p>For all of the speed in the front of the lineup, the most important part of this Vancouver team is its pair of central midfielders, <span>Gershon Koffie</span> and <span>Matías Laba</span>. Koffie has blossomed under Carl Robinson into a more efficient distributor and fitting partner for the holding midfielder Laba. A former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> designated player, <span>Laba </span>has been Vancouver's best player this season. He's responsible for cleaning up messes in front of the back-line, enabling the offense to push forward without worry. Traded to Vancouver after the influx of big-name talent in Toronto, Laba has been a seamless addition that has been key to the Caps' success this season.</p>
<p>If <span>John Hackworth</span> wants to find a weakness in this Vancouver side, he should look no further than their back four. Right back <span>Steven Beitashour</span> is busy representing Iran at this summer's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a>, so replacing him will likely be former Aston Villa midfielder <span>Nigel Reo-Coker</span>. Reo Coker has struggled mightily at right back after being pushed out of the central midfield by Koffie and Laba. The Union would be smart to attack Reo-Coker's side and exploit his lack of pace. At left back, Union fans will recognize a familiar face in <span>Jordan Harvey</span>. When he played regularly at PPL Park back in 2010, Harvey could be counted on to help out the Union attack consistently (something that can't be said for any left back that played for the Union before or after Harvey was traded) but his defensive positioning left a little to be desired. Since the Whitecaps traded <span>Alain Rochat</span> to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> last scene, Harvey has been slowly improving on the defensive end, holding off 2014 third overall pick <span>Christian Dean</span> and solidifying his starting left back slot. In the middle of the backline the Whitecaps start a pair of big, aging centerbacks in former American international Jay Demerit (34) and Irishman Andy O'Brien (turning 35 this month). With Danish goalkeeper David Ousted marshaling the posts, this is a slow but smart defense.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>What to Expect From the Philadelphia Union</b></p>
<p><i>Close down attackers outside the 18 yard box: a</i>s of May 18th, the Whitecaps hit more shots on target outside the 18 yard box than any other team in MLS. The Union are known to give an attacker or two an opportunity to smash in a shot from 20 yards out (Just ask <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGoMiX6Khio">Bernardo Anor</a>). If Amobi Okugo or Maurice Edu give Koffie, Morales, or Hurtado the slightest bit of space, you can be guaranteed that they will be punished for their sins.</p>
<p><i>Start the same back four as last week</i>: While the Whitecaps score plenty of goals from outside the box, they don't often shoot from the middle third of the 18 in front of goal (Zones 1-3 on this graphic). Furthermore, they don't tend to score.from crosses very often either. This makes sense since Carl Robinson has sacrificed size for speed in their attack. Communication between MacMath and the back four will be vital in order to keep the speedy Vancouver attackers in front of them and off the score-sheet. Hackworth must start Okugo to utilize his athleticism and leadership in the box. The Whitecaps also give up more goals from crosses than any other club in MLS, so Hackworth has to bite the bullet and start Fabinho on the left. The idea of Fabinho versus quick wingers like Sebastian Fernandez and Russell Teibert is a terrifying one, but only the Brazilian can deliver decent crosses from the left back spot.</p>
<p><i><span>Maurice Edu</span> must start at the defensive midfielder spot: </i>John Hackworth has been pressed for <span><span>Brian Carroll</span></span>'s return to the starting XI despite the fact that Carroll has not featured in a Union win all season. If there ever was a matchup this season where Carroll would be more out of place, it would be this one. Just like starting <span>Austin Berry</span> and <span>Aaron Wheeler</span> together a few weeks ago against the Revolution, Hackworth would be begging for disaster and a pink slip. Let Edu start in his natural position. He has the athleticism needed to marshal the middle of the pitch.</p>
<p><i>Start Zach Pfeffer: </i>I couldn't believe my eyes last week when I saw Fred's name in that starting XI. Sure the Union got away with it against listless Chivas USA, but this is not the week to try the soccer gods twice. Asking the 34 year old Brazilian to run with Kekuta Manneh or Darren Mattocks up and down the right flank or center of the field is too much. It's time to give the 19 year old from Dresher, PA a start already. Either put in the middle behind the striker <span>Conor Casey</span>, or let <span>Cristian Maidana</span> start in the middle and let Pfeff Dogg run at the old and slow Nigel Reo-Coker all night on the left.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Desired Lineup (4-2-3-1)</b>: MacMath; Fabinho, Okugo, Williams, Gaddis; Edu, Nogueira; Pfeffer, Maidana, Cruz; Casey</p>
<p>Moreso now than at any other point this season, John Hackworth will be coaching for his job. The Union will have a 10 day break after this Saturday before the Union return to PPL Park to play a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-tennis">US Open</a> Cup match with minor league affiliate Harrisburg City Islanders. That's ten days that a new or promoted coach could use to get familiar with his team before a "tune-up" match. A win keeps the Union's already meager playoff chances on life-support. With just 14 points in 15 matches played, a draw or loss would make it highly unlikely for the team to reach 50 points, which is widely believed to be the threshold for a team qualifying for the MLS Cup playoffs. The plan is simple: play mistake-free soccer and mix energy and precise passing on the offensive end to create good shots on goal. It will take a monumental effort for the Union to stop this terrific Vancouver offense, and I'm afraid to say they will likely come up short.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Prediction</b>: Philadelphia Union 1-3 Vancouver Whitecaps</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/6/6/5783054/match-preview-philadelphia-union-vs-vancouver-whitecapsphillyhoosfan2014-06-05T13:00:08-04:002014-06-05T13:00:08-04:00Opposite View: 3 Questions With Eighty Six Forever
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<img alt="Site of the Whitecaps vs. White Caps match" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2QJgwpde4Pe5wTtoi-GaG1t_yrE=/7x0:3992x2657/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33931693/20140503_tcb_as9_209.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Site of the Whitecaps vs. White Caps match | Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This week we've reached out to Mark Dailey of Eighty Six Forever, SBN's Vancouver Whitecaps blog, for a look at what to expect from the 'Caps.</p> <p><strong>tBG) The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> are currently 4th in the Western Conference and are an impressive 5-5-2. What can we expect to see from your team? </strong></p>
<p><strong>86F)</strong> We’ve seen the Whitecaps grow and improve under the guidance of new head coach <span>Carl Robinson</span>. Vancouver has had an atrocious road record since joining MLS, and it still is an area of concern for many fans. In past years we would see the Whitecaps play very different when they were away from home, but this season we’re starting to see this turn around. Since the end of last season we’ve seen the Whitecaps win some big games on the road versus our Cascadia rivals, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland</a>, and battle back to steal a point at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a>. Being able to win big games or steal points when perhaps they didn’t deserve them have given them confidence and Vancouver are now a real threat wherever they play and cannot be taken lightly.</p>
<p><b>tBG) Reports are coming in about Camilo possibly returning from Querétaro. How do you think this will play out, and how well will this sit with the fans in Vancouver? </b></p>
<p><b>86F)</b> The Camilo rumor mill has been in overdrive ever since the Mexican authorities stepped in to take over at Querétaro FC a few months ago. Here at Eighty Six Forever we’ve debated this situation in depth and it seems that opinion is divided on the subject. There is an extremely vocal segment of the fan base that does not want him back here in Lotusland, but there are also many fans that would welcome him back and would put everything in the past. I’ve finally come to the place that I’d be happy to see him back in Vancouver, but if it doesn’t play out that way then I’m fine with that as well.</p>
<p>Initially Camilo could get a rough welcome from some of the fans, but I think most people would be supportive. Camilo has said in the past how much he respects Carl Robinson and the good relationship that the two of them had when he played here in Vancouver. Robinson personally went to Mexico during the off-season to try and solve the situation, but to no avail. I think the club and the coaching staff would be professional enough to overlook the past as long as Camilo is 100% committed to staying with the Whitecaps and honoring the terms of his contract.</p>
<p><b>tBG) Who is a player on the Whitecaps that the Union fans should pay attention to that maybe flies under the radar a bit? </b></p>
<p><b>86F)</b> The Union will definitely have to watch out for Matías Laba, who partners with <span>Gershon Koffie</span> in midfield. Laba, who the Whitecaps picked up from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> in the off-season, goes about his job as a defensive midfielder quietly, but he is a very, very good player. Laba and Koffie have been a revelation in recent weeks and the Whitecaps backline must be grateful to be playing behind these two.</p>
<p><b>tBG) Bonus question) We loved <span>Jordan Harvey</span> when he was here in Philadelphia. Do you guys Harvey All The Time? </b></p>
<p><b>86F)</b> Yes! We do love to Harvey all the Time! Jordan had a bit of a tough time last year after the Whitecaps traded his predecessor, <span>Alain Rochat</span> to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">DC United</a>. Rochat was a very popular player with the fans and the trade went down like a lead balloon. As a result Jordan was under a microscope for the rest of the season and often came under criticism for (mostly) his defensive positioning. At times this criticism was warranted, but he did score several important goals in 2013 as well. Jordan has improved his game this season and is winning over his skeptics. He is a consistent and valuable member to the Whitecaps defense. He has been very reliable and is still scoring goals (2 so far)! Harvey’s goal in the thrilling 4-3 victory over the Timbers down in Portland proved to be the difference in defeating our Cascadia foes. Jordan Harvey Goal Machine has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?</p>
<p><b>Predicted Lineup:</b> David Ousted (GK) – Jordan Harvey – <span><span>Andy O'Brien</span> </span>– <span>Johnny Leverón </span>– <span>Nigel Reo-Coker</span> – <span>Matías Laba </span>– Gershon Koffie –<span> <span>Russell Teibert</span></span> – <span>Pedro Morales</span> – <span>Sebastián Fernández</span> - <span>Erik Hurtado</span></p>
<p><b>Prediction:</b> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> 1 – 2 Whitecaps FC</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/6/5/5781238/opposite-view-three-questions-with-eighty-six-forever-vancouver-whitecaps-philadelphia-unionEugene Rupinski