The Union are unbeaten in their last three matches, but it sure doesn’t feel that way, as Philadelphia couldn’t solve keeper Sean Johnson and Toronto FC on Wednesday. It was not a bad game structurally for the U, but they couldn’t find the back of the net despite some relatively good looks at the cage in the second half. Let’s wrap:
Carranza Hurt?
Prior to the match, news broke that Union forward Julian Carranza would not be in the lineup due to an unclear reason. Carranza, 24, has been rumored to be heading to Feyenoord Rotterdam via transfer, according to news that broke over the weekend. However, it appeared to be an injury that kept the Argentine out of the lineup.
Curtin told MLS Countdown that Carranza picked up a “little knock in training” this week.
“He pushed through the entire training session,” Curtin said of Carranza. “We texted back and fourth this morning and it just wasn’t feeling right so he stepped out.”
Carranza’s goal-scoring prowess and versatility on offensive line was missed in this one. Philly hopes to get back Carranza for Saturday.
Silent Night
Other than a few corners, there was not much in way of offensive creation for either club, especially in the opening half of the match. Philadelphia held the edge in possession, but struggled to create anything that resembled a dangerous scoring chance. The Union can be happy with their effort defensively with back to back clean sheets, but eventually, they’ll need to start hitting the cage more consistently again. Just the normal ebbs and flows of the season? Maybe.
“The goals will come,” defender Jack Elliott said. “We are not strangers to nil-nil or winning one-nil. I think the most important thing is bringing back the clean sheets.”
Philly is just 1-4-2 at Subaru Park this season. The club was conceding far too much in the early-going of the season. Now it appears to be much more structure.
“You’re always in the game when you don’t concede,” Elliott said. “That’s the basis of being a successful team.”
They Said It
Jim Curtin on the Union’s psyche at Home: “We have to find a balance of being a little more brave. I think guys are a little bit nervous to mistakes at home and that’s not a way for us to play.”
Daniel Gazdag on the Union’s Struggle Facing Teams that Play Three Back: “We just have to play better and faster. We’re much better than how we played today.”
Jack Elliott on the Club Sticking Together: “We lean on each other to raise the performance and I think we did that after the first half. It doesn’t need to be shouting and screaming for everyone because we all know we’re capable of bringing the level up.”
On Deck
The boys in blue will return to action on Saturday, when they play host to CF Montreal. The match begins at 7:30 and is broadcast on Apple TV.
