Against Sporting Kansas City, the Union generated chances through the aggressive play of their fullbacks. Philly's system prioritizes closing down counterattacks and quickly turning them into attacking transitions before the opposing team can set up their defense.
In two clips, Ray Gaddis and Kai Wagner lock down the first pass out of KC's defensive third, and this allows the rest of the team to shape up around the play and force a turnover deep in the home side's half.
First, Gaddis presses high and forces a poor backwards pass that Fafa Picault closes down. Then the Union press the players near the ball and Ale Bedoya steps to the open man to force a quick pass into trouble. Marco Fabián reads the situation and steps into the channel to help defensively. This leads to a turnover and Ale Bedoya nearly latches onto Fabián's pass in the box.
Next, Wagner quickly steps to the first pass out of the back. This allows Haris Medunjanin and Warren Creavalle to create number near the ball. When Wagner wins his 1v1 duel, he plays a central pass and once again Fabián has the awareness to step to the play and slot Creavalle in. Graham Zusi picks up a caution for hauling down Creavalle.
The Union return to action on March 17 when they travel to Atlanta United's home turf for a 7 p.m. kickoff on PHL17.
