In the Philadelphia’s Union last two games, they found themselves up 2-1 within the final 30 and 15 minutes but both times they surrendered the lead. In the team’s game against Montreal CF last weekend, the Union allowed a game-tying goal at the death in the final stoppage minute of the game and against Minnesota United, they blew the lead just nine minutes after reclaiming it and fell 3-2.
These past two results were inexcusable for Philadelphia considering they had fought back from being down 1-0 to take 2-1 leads and only came up with 1 point in the matches. In both of these collapses, the Union defense was caught lacking and in vulnerable positions. The Union continue to keep shooting themselves in the foot with unforced errors on the backline.
Namely, defenders Olivier Mbaizo and Kai Wagner committed costly turnovers on errant passes in the team’s loss to Minnesota United. Both of their avoidable and horrid passes led to Minnesota’s tying and go-ahead goals in the second half. If the squad wants to compete with the best team in the East, then they must get their act together and start putting these games away.
Blown leads have always been an issue with the Boys in Blue since their inaugural season and it is still evident this season with dropped points and results. How many times is this team going to continue to blow games before Sporting Director Ernst Tanner starts to make some serious changes? Luckily the team is still in a solid spot following their six game unbeaten run, but they could be in a better position as of today.
Philadelphia currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference with 46 points and hold the tie-breaker over Olando City SC for that spot. Hypothetically if the Union won both of these games, they would be in second place with 51 points and two points ahead of Nashville SC. Tonight’s game is arguably the biggest match of the season and the team must be on their A-game with the home crowd and Sons of Ben behind their back.
Now in a decent spot, the Union have a great opportunity to tie Nashville SC in points with a win against them tonight at Subaru Park at 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Nashville sits in second place right now with 49 points and a goal differential of 20 which is better than the Union’s goal differential of 10. The best case scenario for the Union tonight would be winning and staying put in third place. With a Union win tonight and an Orlando City win tomorrow night, Philly would stay in third place due to a higher goal differential.
Here’s hoping the Union can gift me an early birthday present tonight and defeat Nashville SC in an exciting environment down in Chester!
"Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/Philadelphia Sports Nation"
The post Union Dropping Points in Latter Stages of Season appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.