The Philadelphia Union currently sit in a good
spot, holding down third place in a competitive MLS Eastern Conference. An unbeaten run of four games (two wins, two draws)
had seen the team rise to as high as second place, prior to the
FC Dallas game.
Not getting three full points at home hurts,especially when the club had a one goal lead and manadvantage heading into the final seconds. They will have tolearn how to close out games like this, if they are to return tothe playoffs. In the second half of the season, for a variety ofreasons, games become tougher to win.
For the Union, the second half of the MLS season beginswithout Jack McInerney and Keon Daniel, both awayon international duty for this month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. While Daniel is a key cog in the Union’s makeup, the loss ofMcInerney is the tougher one by far. The 20-year-old striker hasnotched 10 of his team’s 27 goals, including five game winners.In a strange twist, McInerney has hit a dry patch, not scoring inhis last three games – but the club has still managed to get results.
This has to help the confidence of a young Union team thatcouldn't win earlier this year, unless Jack Mac was on thescoresheet. Conor Casey and others have picked up thescoring slack lately, with the playmaking help of SebastienLe Toux (league high seven assists) and Sheanon Williams who hasa career high six assists and leads all MLS defenders in that category. The combination of Le Toux and Williams has madethe Union dangerous on the right flank.
The second half of the season officially begins Wednesdayversus a Real Salt Lake (10 p.m., TCN) team that might have been the hardestMLS team hit by the Gold Cup. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando,midfielder Kyle Beckerman and defender Tony Beltran are allon the U.S. squad while striker Alvario Saborio will suit up forCosta Rica. That's four huge losses off of a team that is nowleading MLS’ Western Conference with 33 points.
RSL is on afour-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 9-1 during thatstretch. At home, they're 6-1-2 with their only home losscoming in late April against the Los Angeles Galaxy. While the club is without these key players on Wednesday, there's a lot ofdepth on this squad so players like goalkeeper Josh Saunders and forwards Robbie Findley, Joao Plata, and DevonSandoval could have opportunities to shine.
After the Real Salt Lake game, there's little time for rest andrecovery as the Union head to Houston for a game Saturday againsta struggling Dynamo team (9 p.m., TCN) that is uncharacteristically winlessin their last seven games. On top of that, the Dynamo offensehas gone cold, going 329 minutes without a goal.
Will Bruinand Corey Ashe are away on Gold Cup duty, but the club stillhas goalkeeper Tally Hall whose 1.06 goals against averageranks fifth best in Major League Soccer. The Dynamo will alsohave the advantage of not playing in midweek as they sit andwait for the Union arrival.
The more difficult part of the MLS schedule begins Wednesday.It's two games in 4 nights, dealing with altitude in midweekand the Texas heat on the weekend. It's also the first time in2013 that the team is playing without Jack McInerney. It's going to be an interesting and challenging week for the Union.
