A dominant showing from Philadelphia Union keeps the club in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. Here are the key takeaways from Saturday’s match.
Space invaders
Vancouver ceded most of the pitch to the Union, and the home side used it well. Borek Dockal is blossoming as he builds an understanding with his teammates and continues to tear open any defense that leaves space between its lines. The Whitecaps attack has been sizzling recently, but with Dockal, Ale Bedoya, and Warren Creavalle running the show, the visitors’ wingers were too busy defending to break out effectively.
Not sharing the shots
The Whitecaps had zero shots on frame, and both shots they did take were blocked.
Fafa Picault and Ilsinho tracked back well to prevent odd-man rushes, and Creavalle prevented any attacks from developing through the center. Keegan Rosenberry gave budding superstar Alphonso Davies the how-do-you-do treatment, pushing the teenager over at the start of play and generally denying him space to stretch his legs.
Andre Blake didn’t face any shots on frame, but his aerial prowess was on full display. The goalie nabbed dangerous crosses and corners out of the air with ease, preventing Kei Kamara from becoming a threat.
Bedoya the beast
Though Dockal will steal headlines with his brace, Ale Bedoya had two powerful drives -- one blocked, one saved -- and played like three men on the night. Along with Creavalle, he consistently covered for teammates and played the ball with speed to prevent Vancouver from sliding and protecting the box effectively. When Bedoya is an effective two-way presence, it opens spaces for Dockal, and the Czech playmaker is taking advantage of those gaps to create isolations for the Union’s speed and trickery on the wings.
