Missed Opportunities: Philadelphia Union's Loss to Real Salt Lake
Missed Chances are all that we will remember about this game.
The game against Real Salt Lake, after a rare break in play, was always going to be a trap. Unfortunately for the Union, an uncharacteristic mistake by Blake and a wonder strike by Katranis, along with two clear missed chances, were the recipe for an undefeated streak to come to an end.
The match against Chico Arango’s Real Salt Lake marked the start of a nine-game stretch, with six of them at home. Ahead of the match, Jim Curtin was available to the media, where he was asked about the importance of gaining points during this stretch before the players representing their nations depart for the many tournaments happening this summer:
"We will obviously lose a key group of our team, no question about that. I have stressed that a lot and how hard that will be... we should have everybody for those nine games and six of them being at home.
It is no secret to success in this league; you have to win your home games.
We have a good opportunity in front of us, and hopefully, we can start it the right way."
It really paints a bit of a grim picture when you think about it. The summer, mainly the Leagues Cup, will be played with a makeshift lineup as players come and go away to their respective tournaments. Blake, Lowe, Martinez, and potentially Bueno will be competing in Copa America, meanwhile McGlynn and Harriel could be representing the United States at the Summer Olympics. Finally, if he continues to perform and score, Daniel Gazdag will be representing Hungary at the Euro 2024 tournament.
Needless to say, the summer will be extremely interesting for the Philadelphia side.
Now, to the match.
Here is how the teams lined up:
The first half was uncharacteristically Union, with the team dominating possession and chances. But, as Curtin says, “Possession without penetration is meaningless.” The team exhibited a few nice sequences of passing, really shining a light on what the Union can do.
Unfortunately, they could not do anything of substance to bother Zac MacMath, longtime Union goalkeeper, who was facing the Union for the very first time since departing the team in 2015. MacMath made a total of 111 appearances for the Union.
Real Salt Lake was the first to strike, with a shot that many could have counted on Blake to save. That doesn’t matter though, because Carlos saw his opportunity and took the shot.
The Union went down a goal into the locker room, with Jim Curtin having to come up with something to break apart the Real Salt Lake defense, but that usually requires players to be clinical in front of the net, again, something that was not really present on the night… more on that soon.
A bit of history was made, with Daniel Gazdag equaling the scoring record, in all competitions, that Sebastian LeToux held with 56 goals. This goal brought the game level, with the game swinging favorably in the Union's side.
The 57th goal, and becoming the sole record holder was within the Hungarian’s grasp, but a lapse in sharpness had him missing the goal wide.
That devastating miss was only going to hurt even more when Mikael Uhre subbed in and five minutes later missed another clear chance to put the Union ahead. This time a bit more complicated, but another beautiful show of some quick, penetrating, passing.
Those missed chances would come to haunt Philadelphia, when Alexandros Katranis’ wonder strike was a dagger into any opportunity for the Union to come back and salvage a point.
If you watched the match you are well aware of the officiating. Not that it was either good or bad, but that the whistle was blown quite a bit. 34 fouls and eight yellow cards was the total for the match.
After the match, Curtin was asked about the officiating, and how he felt about it:
"There was a lot of physicality from both teams. The referee was consistent at least and did call a ton of fouls and gave a ton of yellow cards.
I don't enjoy that way. For the viewer, it is not as fun to watch. I enjoy letting the guys sort things out by themselves with physical play.
He was consistent, and that is a good quality from a referee."
However, Daniel Gazdag was a bit more open about it after the match:
“The game was stopping a lot. It's not the best way to play. We couldn’t get going sometimes or we were getting going and the referee stopped it.”
The more interesting player comments after the game came from Andre Blake, Philadelphia's longtime goalkeeper after the match.
When asked about his health:
"I don't want to talk about it, to be honest."
When asked about completing a full match against Real Salt Lake:
"Yeah, it did. It has been a tough start for me this year. But I am hanging in there."
When asked about what it would mean to him to get a couple of games in a row under his belt this season:
"Yeah, it is tough. It is tough when it feels like you can't catch a break, but it is a part of life. It is a part of soccer. I have been going for 10 years strong. Maybe this is a little phase for me. I'll hang in there, I'll keep pushing. How long is it going to last? I don't know, but I will push through it and hopefully, it ends sooner later. I'll keep pushing and do whatever I can to help the team to be better and to win."
With many matches ahead for MLS, World Cup qualifying, and Copa America, it's hard to see how this gets any better for one of the best keepers in MLS.
So, that’s how it all ended. Fortunately (or unfortunately if you are a half-empty type of person), the Union have a quick turnaround to face off against Seattle, remember them and the rainout that happened? I do, it stank. I was soaked for two hours straight. It was the worst.
Hopefully, they can get it together and turn this around after a pretty demoralizing loss.
Bonus:
Marc Zumoff conversation with Philadelphia Union captain, Alejandro Bedoya
When asked if raising a cup or trophy at the end of the season would make his decision to retire easier, Bedoya responded:
"It would definitely make it much easier for me. I look back and think, if I had managed the LAFC game, maybe that could have been the time to go out on a high. At this point in time, if we happen to do it this season? For sure, that would make my decision a lot easier.
As athletes, as players, we know what's at stake. We look at our careers and we understand the word 'legacy' and what that means. I want my legacy to not just be about soccer, of course, because I feel like I've been someone who is vocal outside the field about certain things.
But, man, thinking about everything that went into, for me, coming to the Union and everything that transpired in terms of the recruitment, what I was told about the direction of the club being more ambitious, and what we've been able to build all these years, right?
The amount of success we've had and the level of consistency over the last five or six years, just to be able to lift that trophy?
That would completely cement the legacy. That's it. There's no need for anything else after that."
The conversation also covered:
- His move back to the team/free agency
- Using his platform to better the world
- The beauty of soccer and the growth of MLS
- Life after soccer and what would be next
Give it a listen and subscribe: HERE
Matt Real loaned to the Colorado Switchbacks
Homegrown defender Matt Real has been loaned to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the USL for the rest of 2024. He is a YSC and Academy product who signed his homegrown deal with the Union in 2018.
Since joining the Switchbacks, he has played two full matches.
Real could face off against Brandan Craig and El Paso Locomotive on the 4th of May, provided Craig heals from an ankle injury.
Best of luck, Matt!
R.J. Allen appointed Director of Player Relations and Assistant Technical Director
Congratulations to former Union defender RJ Allen. Allen, 34, has joined New Jersey United AC of the NPSL as their Director of Player Relations and Assistant Technical Director.
Allen joined the Union in 2019 and was part of the organization for only that season.
Congratulations, RJ.
Video Credit: APPLE/MLS and Todd Lewis of the Free Kick Pod