Brotherly Game - Story stream: 2014 Philadelphia Union Player ReviewsThe beautiful game with a Philadelphia attitudehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48005/brotherlygame-fave.png2015-01-02T13:00:02-05:00http://www.brotherlygame.com/rss/stream/72372682015-01-02T13:00:02-05:002015-01-02T13:00:02-05:002014 Union Player Review: Vincent Nogueira
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<figcaption>Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Vincent Nogueira is coming off a great season for the Union, but just how good is he?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> conducted the biggest of its 2013-14 off-season business in mid- to late-January. <span><span>Maurice Edu</span></span>, <span>Cristian Maidana</span>, and <span>Vincent Nogueira</span> were all signed in a two-week flurry of action which saw the Union use a large chunk of its cap. Edu, who appeared in the 2010 World Cup, was a certainty. A superb athlete, Mo would do well wherever he played. Though Maidana was a journeyman, the arrival of an Argentinian play-maker still left fans salivating. Nogueira's arrival came with a number of questions: Where would he play? Is he box-to-box, or more of a No. 10? Why would Sochaux let their captain leave so freely? Since his signing on the 30th of January, Nogueira has proven to be one of the best players to pull on a Union jersey.</p>
<h3>Position</h3>
<p>Under former manager <span>John Hackworth</span>, Nogueira slotted in as a central attacking midfielder. Maidana played out on the left wing, and Edu and <span>Brian Carroll</span> formed the double pivot. While Nogueira and Edu would have been a much better pairing, Hack was neither willing to shift Maidana or start <span>Leo Fernandes</span>.</p>
<p>Early on, it became evident that Nogueira was a talented passer of the ball, but he was not the advanced play-maker that the Union hoped he would be. Nogueira liked to drop deep to receive the ball, leaving the Union shorthanded in attack.</p>
<p>When Jim Curtin took over, he made it clear that Maidana would be the No. 10 during his tenure. Curtin intended on playing Nogueira under the attacking midfield trio, but injuries got in the way. Chaco came down with an injury in mid-July, just as Nogueira was returning from an ailment of his own. The Frenchman was thrust into the creator role once again, and he'd stay there until September. On September 6th, Nogueira and Maidana played together for only the second time under Curtin, who took over three months prior. For the rest of the season, Nogueira served as the more possession-oriented half of the double pivot.</p>
<h3>Passing</h3>
<p>Nogueira completed 48 passes per 90 minutes this season, good enough for 13th among players who have appeared in at least half of their teams' games. His passing accuracy (85%) ranks 27th, while his key passes per 90 (1.23) puts him at 65th, below even Conor Casey. It's pretty clear from these stats that Nogueira is a talented passer of the ball, but for whatever reason, he cannot put it together in the final third.</p>
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<td>Player (1530 minute min.)</td>
<td>Usage Rate</td>
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<tr>
<td><span>Michael Bradley</span></td>
<td align="center">16.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Will Trapp</span></td>
<td align="center">15.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Vincent Nogueira</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>15.1%</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Nigel Reo-Coker</span></td>
<td align="center">14.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Kyle Beckerman</span></td>
<td align="center">14.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span> Juninho</span></td>
<td align="center">14.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Pedro Morales</span></td>
<td align="center">14.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Jose Mari</span></td>
<td align="center">14.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Dax McCarty</span></td>
<td align="center">14.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span>Javier Morales</span></td>
<td align="center">14.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Usage rate shows what percentage of attempted team passes were attempted by a single player. While it is not a perfect metric, usage rate fairly accurately tells how important a player is to his team. The problem with usage rate, as pointed out in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/08/20/central-winger-how-measure-players-influence-through-touches-or-lack-thereof">this excellent article by Devin Pleuler</a>, is that it treats every pass the same. Also mentioned in that piece is centrality, which tries to determine how influential a player's passes are. At the publication of that article, Vincent Nogueira had the second highest centrality in the league, and with a sample size that large, it's reasonable to believe that he finished the season in a similar position.</p>
<p>It's obvious that Nogueira's passing has been vital to what success the Union had this past season. Though he may not deliver that final ball, he is still a key cog in the Union's build-up.</p>
<h3>Shooting</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/8/26/6064617/not-even-vincent-nogueira-is-perfect">I wrote a long feature on Nogueira's shooting back in August</a>. It was terrible then, and it didn't get any better as the season progressed. Of the 62 players who took at least 40 shots this season, he finished 60th in shots on target (23.7%) and 60th in goal conversion (3.4%). That is absolutely atrocious, and it becomes apparent why when you look at his shot locations. 75% of his shots came from outside of the box. Only Juninho, who failed to score this season despite his 55 shots, had a higher share of shots from outside of the box (93%). His long-range shooting should be the primary objective during his off-season training.</p>
<h3>Overall</h3>
<p>Vincent Nogueira is a consummate professional. He's a quiet guy who gets work done - you could call him Philly Tough (I wouldn't). He's easily the best midfielder to ever pull on a Union jersey, and he's not even getting a Designated Player salary. Nogueira provides some of the best value in the league, and hopefully he'll continue to do so for the foreseeable future. His distribution is key to the team, but he does have one glaring deficiency. Imperfect he may be, but Vincent Nogueira was the best Union player in 2014.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/1/2/7272293/season-in-review-vincent-nogueiraJohn Rossi2015-01-02T10:00:03-05:002015-01-02T10:00:03-05:002014 Player Review: Cristian Maidana
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<figcaption>My left foot. | John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>So much promise, and no shortage of frustration sums up a so-so year for the Union's DP no. 10</p> <p><b>2014 Summary</b></p>
<p>We didn't really know much about Chaco before he came to the Union and I am not entirely sure we have really found out a definitive answer to the question we all asked when his signing was announced - i.e. "Who is that guy?" As an international Designated Player the expectations were understandably high, however if one looks through his playing resumé it seems to hold true to the baseball maxim that "he is what the back of his baseball card says he is."</p>
<p>Chaco has turned up at many clubs just below the elite level in world football, such as the Argentinian, Mexican, and Russian first divisions with only modest success to show from his prime footballing years. His one shot at the top level of the game with Recreativo in Spain's La Liga was kind of blah, with only one goal and two assists, appearing in just six games. A cursory glance at his footballing history screams ‘journeyman Argentinian number 10' and his stint with the Union has thus far done nothing to disprove that.</p>
<p><b>What did he do right?</b></p>
<p>Aside from having hands down the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Union's</a> most entertaining Instagram account? Well, he actually did a ton right but he might just suffer from an unfortunate condition I call <i>Late 2000s Landon Donovan Syndrome or </i>L2sLDS for short<i>. </i>For those who aren't familiar with this terrible condition, L2sLDS happens when the sufferer has footballing vision and skill that his offensive teammates do not share, thus rendering many of his passes, runs, and positional decisions ineffective. Other symptoms are the apparent dribbling in to blind corners, when actually what most folk don't see is what Chaco sees - i.e. if you understand what Chaco sees instead of looking <b>at </b>Chaco you too would see that if Wenger was on the same wavelength he would have anticipated that Maidana's run would pull the central defender away out of position. If Wenger then made a run off the ball in to that space Chaco could play a simple killer pass to him.</p>
<p>Unfortunately if everyone else doesn't get their job right Chaco ends up looking like a greedy, slow, turnover machine. In his very first competitive game against the Timbers Chaco was bossing things in the cramped Portland midfield with Noggy. Union fans were treated to an up until that point incredibly rare sight - nicely weighted passes played behind a defense for a forward to run on to. For the most part that is what Chaco did right, unfortunately many of his teammates weren't seeing the same thing and too many promising situations devolved in to the mire of MLS mediocrity (for photographic illustrations do a Google image search for <span>Danny Cruz</span> and <span>Andrew Wenger</span>).</p>
<p><b>What did he do wrong?</b></p>
<p>Again I am going to Instagram... Posting photos of Union tactical instructions probably didn't get him in Hackworth's good books, but we all enjoyed it so was it so wrong after all? On a serious note, the major bump in Chaco's road was the bump on his stomach. He was clearly not 100% fit and ready for the high speed crash-bang-wallop that makes up the majority of games in MLS. As an old-fashioned play maker in the mold of Riquelme (look him up if you don't really know him... Seriously, folks stop reading this and go look him up right now) Chaco often failed to recognize the situation for what it was rather than what he wanted it to be. No doubt feeling the burden of being the team's sole creative attacking flair player his major downfall then became trying to do too much individually. Instead of clever passes in to space or little flicks to beat players over a few yards he tried to be a modern and very different kind of number 10 like Messi, Silva, or Pjanic. Jinking runs and beating three men at pace is rarely going to work for Chaco and the sooner he can accept that fact and find a way to bring his teammates in to his world the better.</p>
<p><b>Most memorable moment</b></p>
<p><a href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-09-03-philadelphia-union-vs-toronto-fc/details/video/24332" target="_blank">A turn of his hips against Toronto</a>. It was nothing more than a simple, subtle change of his body position but it brilliantly took out two defenders and magically opened up a huge tract of land for <span>Sebastien Le Toux</span> to receive a perfectly weighted through ball, thus allowing <span>Conor Casey</span> to score a trademark ‘crashing on to a low hard cross' type of goal. His hips, unlike Shakira, lied to the central defender who had been pulled up high to cover. Just the hint of "I'm going this way, oh... Psych! No I'm not!" left the defense in tatters. It was the kind of play that perfectly summed up Chaco and his ability, and I have watched it maybe a hundred times.</p>
<p><b>Future expectations</b></p>
<p>Put simply, score more goals. Unless the FO actually switch their modus operandi and <b>do </b>make good on all the talk of buying a legit goal scorer we have to see somewhere around ten goals from Maidana. The other piece to the puzzle will be hoping to see Chaco make some adjustments to his game now that he has a season of MLS football under his belt. With a better understanding of his role and more importantly everyone else's maybe we can hope to see a battle between Le Toux and Maidana for the club assists lead in 2015. Oh, and one other thing that is maybe more of a hope than an expectation. Keep working on that mullet, it really completes the Argentinian play maker look.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/1/2/7216839/2014-philadelphia-union-player-review-cristian-maidanaRichie_the_Limey2015-01-01T13:00:03-05:002015-01-01T13:00:03-05:002014 Philadelphia Union Player Review: Maurice Edu
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<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Coming from Stoke City on loan, Maurice Edu was arguably the best player on the Philadelphia Union's squad.</p> <p><b>2014 Season Summary</b></p>
<p><span>Maurice Edu</span> was one of the bright spots for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union </a>in 2014. The January loan transfer of Edu from Stoke City gave Union fans hope that despite the madness at the goalkeeper position, the club was serious in contending for silverware.</p>
<p><b><br> What Did He Do Right?<span class="text_exposed_show"></span></b></p>
<p>Just about everything. Edu excelled at central defensive midfielder and center back, and his <a target="_blank" href="http://www.whoscored.com/Players/27480">whoscored.com rating</a> of 7.11 was tops among regular starters and third overall behind only <span>Andre Blake</span> and Fabinho. He also contributed three goals and an assist in addition to being a stable presence in the locker room despite the chaos of a season that saw the team get off to an awful start and have the head coach and an assistant coach fired.</p>
<p><b><span class="text_exposed_show"><br> What Did He Do Wrong?</span></b></p>
<p>The low point of Edu's season must have been being left off of <span>J</span><span><span>ü</span>rgen Klinsmann's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/united-states">United States</a> World Cup roster. It was a blessing in disguise though, as Edu (and the rest of the club) had almost a month to rest and recuperate during the meat grinder of an MLS season.<br></span></p>
<p><b><span class="text_exposed_show"><br> Most Memorable Moment<br> </span></b></p>
<p>Before the Union's US Open Cup hopes (and ultimately the hopes of the season) were extinguished there was a glimmer of hope, a vision of what was almost.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8F7W58DBRp8" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><b><span class="text_exposed_show">Future Expectations</span></b></p>
<p>It's widely speculated that Edu will return to the Union in 2015, although he is still on loan from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke City</a>. I would expect the Union would do what they need to in order to ensure Edu is back in blue and gold come March 7.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/1/1/7476309/2014-philadelphia-union-player-review-maurice-eduEugene Rupinski2015-01-01T07:00:02-05:002015-01-01T07:00:02-05:002014 Philadelphia Union Player Review: Amobi Okugo
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<figcaption>Superman | John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We saw what was possibly Amobi Okugo's best season in a Philadelphia Union kit. It was, however, his last in a Union kit.</p> <p><b>2014 Season Summary</b></p>
<p><span>Amobi Okugo</span> continued to grow as a player. The last of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union's</a> inaugural class of 2010 once <span>Jack McInerney</span> was sent to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a>, Okugo spent most of the season at center back, although did get some time as a central defensive midfielder. His whoscored.com rating of 6.85 was best for eighth on the team among players who made ten or more appearances.</p>
<p><b><br> What Did They Do Right?</b></p>
<p>Okugo was one of the best options the club had at center back all season, and played it admirably despite a revolving door of pairings at the position. His average of 36.9 passes per game was good for fourth on the club, and when paired with his 81.5% completion rate made him a very potent weapon on the counterattack, which is the style of play the Union adopted under manager Jim Curtin's.</p>
<p><b><span class="text_exposed_show"><br> What Did They Do Wrong?</span></b></p>
<p>Not Amobi's fault, but the Union failing to play him during the US Open Cup Final against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> was a big blemish on his season. That decision was, to borrow a phrase from a certain ex-Union manager, baffling.</p>
<p><b><span class="text_exposed_show"><br> Most Memorable Moment</span></b></p>
<p>Everyone remembers <span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110011/rais-m-bolhi">Rais M'Bolhi</a></span>'s gaffe against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> that effectively sunk the Union's season, but what most don't remember is that Amobi was the one who put the Union into a position to win in the first place. This goal was total Okugo - a result of hustle and having the smarts to be in the right place at the right time.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uiLfPqdxUm4" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><b><span class="text_exposed_show"><br> Future Expectations</span></b></p>
<p>Amobi will probably revert to his natural central defensive midfielder position - for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.themaneland.com/">Orlando City SC</a>. If Amobi can act as the link between Orlando's defense and potent offensive attack, look for him to continue his journey in Europe.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/1/1/7475889/2014-philadelphia-union-player-review-amobi-okugoEugene Rupinski2014-12-31T10:00:02-05:002014-12-31T10:00:02-05:002014 Philadelphia Union Player Review: Ethan White
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<figcaption>John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... </p> <p><b>2014 Season Summary</b></p>
<p>In the first part of the 2014 season, we couldn't figure out why <span>Ethan White</span> was behind <span>Aaron Wheeler</span> on John Hackworth's center back depth chart. In the second half of the season, we couldn't figure out what took so long to get White onto the pitch. With White on the field, the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> won five, tied five, and lost only two.</p>
<p><b>What Did He Do Right?</b></p>
<p>White proved to be a good presence at center back, effectively stopping the merry-go-round at that position that included <span>Austin Berry</span>, <span>Sheanon Williams</span>, and Aaron Wheeler.<span class="text_exposed_show"> According to whoscored.com, </span><span class="text_exposed_show">White posted a respectable 6.77 rating and was third on the team with 4.1 clearances per game.<br></span></p>
<p><b><span class="text_exposed_show">What Did He Do Wrong?</span></b></p>
<p>Whatever he did to get into John Hackworth's doghouse. The Union got 20 points in the twelve matches he played in. White could also work on his skill in the air - for a six-foot-tall center back he should be winning more than 1.5 aerial duels per match (good for only tenth on the team).</p>
<p><b><span class="text_exposed_show">Most Memorable Moment</span></b></p>
<p>Getting the start on July 12 against the <a href="https://www.burgundywave.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Rapids</a>. While White didn't have his best game, he did get the start and was able to hold on to the starting center back position even after the return of <span>Carlos Valdes</span>.</p>
<p><b><span class="text_exposed_show">Future Expectations</span></b></p>
<p>White will most likely challenge for a starting center back job alongside Carlos Valdes and possibly <span>Maurice Edu</span> (depending on where Jim Curtin sees Edu playing in 2015). Any time you challenge two guys who played for their national teams, you're doing something right. While White may be a bench option and spot-starter next year, at least we know he can come in and hold his own.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/12/31/7465427/2014-philadelphia-union-player-review-ethan-whiteEugene Rupinski2014-12-31T07:00:02-05:002014-12-31T07:00:02-05:002014 Philadelphia Union Players Review: Defenders
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<figcaption>John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>2014 was a bit of a rollercoaster on defense. Here's how Fabinho, Austin Berry, Carlos Valdes, and Aaron Wheeler's respective seasons went.</p> <p><b>2014 Season Summary</b></p>
<p>Would you believe it if I told you that according to <a href="http://www.whoscored.com/Teams/8586/Show/-Philadelphia-Union" target="_blank">whoscored.com defensive rankings </a>for the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a>, Fabinho was the best (non-goalkeeper) defender and <span>Austin Berry</span> was third best? It's true though. Fabinho fell just behind <span>Andre Blake</span> with a 7.15 rating in his nineteen appearances while Berry had a 6.98 in his six appearances (Maurice Edu was sandwiched in the middle with a 7.11 in his 31 appearances). <span>Carlos Valdes</span>, who rejoined the club after a long loan stint in South America and representing <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/colombia" class="sbn-auto-link">Colombia</a> in the 2014 World Cup, was tenth among non-goalkeepers with a 6.82 over eight appearances. <span>Aaron Wheeler</span> was the worst of the listed defenders with a rating of 6.67 - not bad considering he's not a defender he's a forward.</p>
<p><b><br> What Did They Do Right?</b></p>
<p>Fabinho proved to be a valuable spot-starter at left back, leading the team with an average of four interceptions a game over his nineteen matches. Berry notched an assist on May 17 against the <a href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Revolution</a>, was second behind Fabinho with 3.8 interceptions per game over his six matches, led the team with 7.5 clearances per game, and was dribbled past 0.2 times a game - best for defenders. Valdes had a brilliant double clearance against <a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United</a> that kept the Union in it (go to 3:02 in the video):</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KZzw17cgDXk"></iframe></p>
<p>Wheeler was actually named to the MLS Team of the Week as a defender in Week 4 against the <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a>.</p>
<p><b>What Did They Do Wrong?</b></p>
<p>Fabinho was bad at giving up fouls (1.6 per game, behind only <span>Corben Bone</span>) and getting dribbled past (1.2 times a game - worst on the team). Berry got injured in March against the Revolution and was routinely passed up, first for Aaron Wheeler under <span>John Hackworth</span> and then for <span>Ethan White</span> by Jim Curtin (although White played well enough to warrant this). Valdes looked tired as the season went on - he had played straight through the World Cup and then had a month off while the situation with San Lorenzo was straightened out. And Wheeler was shoehorned into playing center back by Hackworth, which was by all accounts an utter disaster. You really can't blame Wheeler for it though - players play where the manager tells them to.</p>
<p><b><br> Most Memorable Moment</b></p>
<p>In what may have been his last match in a Union shirt, Fabinho notched an assist against Columbus on October 11. Berry played a great match in the season opener against the <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Timbers</a>, getting a rating of 7.8 - behind only <span>Maurice Edu's</span> 8.3 for Man of the Match. Valdes' most memorable moment was playing with Colombian and Union legend <span>Faryd Mondragon</span> against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/japan" class="sbn-auto-link">Japan</a> in the 2014 World Cup. And Wheeler's most memorable moment was the June 28 match against New England when he was subbed on - as a forward.</p>
<p><b><br> Future Expectations</b></p>
<p>Fabinho will most likely be back with the Union, as he was <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/12/philadelphia-unions-jim-curtin-laments-losing-pedro-ribeiro-orlando-city-exp" target="_blank">protected by the club during the Expansion Draft</a>. I would expect him to be used as a spot-starter and sub on the left side. Berry will also likely be back, however it's unclear what his role will be going forward. Valdes will most definitely be the starting center back for the Union on opening day barring anything unforeseen. And Wheeler too will most likely remain with the club - as a backup forward.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/12/31/7452403/2014-philadelphia-union-players-review-the-defendersEugene Rupinski2014-12-30T10:00:02-05:002014-12-30T10:00:02-05:002014 Philadelphia Union Player Review: Ray Gaddis
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<figcaption>Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>2014 was the finest season in the career of Raymon Gaddis. The modern game appreciates fullbacks who provide offensive width, and an overlapping option with which to achieve such. Ray's position, however, calls for him primarily to prevent goals, not create them.</p> <p><b>2014 Season Summary</b></p>
<p>It bears repeating that 2014 was the finest season in the career of Raymon Gaddis. The right-back-made-to-play-left-back by the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> was the team's best defensive player, and in my opinion, second in the team's most valuable player conversation to Vincent Nogueira. The trademark of Gaddis' game is his ability to recover when an opposing rush gets beyond him on his wing. His foot speed is unequaled among his teammates, which makes him indispensable. His two assists notched were a new career high for him in his three seasons thus far.</p>
<p><b>What Did He Do Right?</b></p>
<p>Be available. Ray played the most minutes of any outfield player during 2014, with 3,051. In the franchise's brief history, only <span>Sebastien Le Toux</span> in 2011, when he played all 3,600 minutes, played more. He is equally adept on either wing, as he filled in for <span>Sheanon Williams</span> during periods of injury or suspension. His best attribute is his closing speed, allowing him to close in on opposition attackers before they can control the ball. His plus-level athleticism allows for him to make goal-saving tackles in desperate situations, leaving his feet to deftly dispossess opponents of the ball without committing a foul. A noticeable area of improvement from 2013 was Ray's strength. He was less prone to being muscled off of balls, and was more successful in shepherding errant passes over the end line.</p>
<p><b>What Did He Do Wrong?</b></p>
<p>The lone knock against him comes from his contribution to the offense. He is awkward in his 1-on-1 engagement with defenders when marauding forward, and Gaddis is not a skillful crosser either. The modern game appreciates fullbacks who provide offensive width and an overlapping option with which to achieve such. Ray's position, however, calls for him primarily to prevent goals, not create them. In his assigned position, he is among MLS' best (in this writer's humble opinion).</p>
<p><b>2014 Most Memorable Moment</b></p>
<p>He made Sports Illustrated's Team of the Week in Week 3 for his assist on <span>Leo Fernandes</span>' goal against the<a href="https://www.massivereport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"> Crew</a> in Columbus as well as his strong defense, though the result was a Union loss.</p>
<p><b>Future Expectations</b></p>
<p>Much of Union's goal-concession woes can be linked to their inconsistency of their center backs. The personnel shuffle to Gaddis' right set the stage for disjointed communication and substandard marking understanding. Philadelphia allowed far too many goals to be considered a serious playoff contender. In a season wrought with defensive inconsistency Ray Gaddis was a beacon, giving the team a glimpse of what could be. He'll enter the 2015 season at age 25, and hopefully with some skill development still to do. I would expect him to be a better left-footed crosser of the ball, and position himself better as he works with a hopefully more consistent set of center backs.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/12/30/7273225/2014-philadelphia-union-player-review-ray-gaddisNick Youngstein2014-12-30T07:00:02-05:002014-12-30T07:00:02-05:002014 Union Player Review: Sheanon Williams
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<p>2014 was a mixed bag for Sheanon Williams. One of the few players to be on each end of season Union roster went from a guaranteed lineup lock each week, to doubt sinking in if he might be used as trade bait to improve the squad.</p> <p><b>2014 Summary</b></p>
<p>Statistically speaking, <span>Sheanon Williams</span> had a very up and down season. On one hand he was in the top four in goals and assists on the team, hitting a career high with three goals- which isn't bad at all for an outside back. However, a one time key member of this franchise saw his games played, games started, and minutes drop to career lows (not counting 2010 where he joined the team late in the year).</p>
<p>The continued growth of <span>Ray Gaddis</span> has given direct competition to his role as right back. Without a true left back, Gaddis has split time between the two flanks, giving Williams less playing time. Williams maintained his aggressive approach going forward, and his biggest weapon remains his monstrous throw ins that are as dangerous as corner kicks.</p>
<p><b>What did he do right?</b></p>
<p><b></b>In a <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> season that lacked any real excitement for large stretches of time, there were always a few moments that allowed for a bit of hope. The moment when the ball went out for a throw in deep in the attacking third and Williams made the slow jog up field, exchanged game balls with the nearest ball kid, wiped the ball on his jersey for grip and launched it into the penalty area. For those few seconds anything was possible, and it was the moment everything could be turned around.</p>
<p>For far too many games this season the offense lacked any punch, and there seemed to be no hope as the season wound down. I have great respect for at least one member of them team still possessing a weapon that allowed for a bit of hope in the season.</p>
<p>He also remains a versatile option across the back line. While (likely) not being discussed in Jurgen Klinsmann's inner circle for a call up, he's still a solid MLS right back. In a pinch, he has also proven to be a competent center back, however he lacks the size to make that a permanent option. Depending on who you talk to, there is some discussion if a position higher up the field might best suit him.</p>
<p><b>What did he do wrong?</b></p>
<p><b></b>There is little evidence of what Williams has done poorly. The only real knock on him is that Gaddis continues to improve each year and seems to be overtaking Williams on the depth chart. He's been a constant presence on the team, but with limited roster rules and regulations how much longer can the Union maintain two starting quality right backs while there are other huge holes in the roster.</p>
<p><b>Most memorable moment?</b></p>
<p><b></b>The single moment I will remember of Sheanon Williams' 2014 season was his game winner against the <a href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Jose Earthquakes</a>. When former manager <span>John Hackworth</span> would talk about "Philly Tough", this goal is one he could have pointed to. A Sebastian LeToux free kick came whipping in to the near post (surprising right?) and found the head of Williams, who had a defender completely draped across his back in what can only be described as a bear hug. Ignoring his new BFF, Williams gave the perfect redirecting flick to the ball as it found its way into the back post.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/T9vCJ5lq6NA"></iframe></p>
<p>That win was the first in a three game winning streak, four game unbeaten streak leading up to the US Open Cup final. That stretch put the Union in a position to make a run at the playoffs, but we all know how that ended...</p>
<p><b>Future expectations</b></p>
<p>This offseason will be a truly telling on for the five year Union vet. As mentioned before, will the Union realize that having two starting quality right backs is impractical to building a well rounded team? Or will newly "official" manager Jim Curtin keep pushing the Gaddis as left back experiment, keeping both right backs in the blue and gold? If still on the roster for 2015 preseason, it will be important to come into camp in peak condition with his skills as sharp as he has been in his career.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/12/30/7274005/2014-philadelphia-union-player-review-sheanon-williamsAndrew Stoltzfus