CONCACAF Match Day: Philadelphia Union vs Atlas F.C.
By Nick Butler
When: 8pm ET
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, PA
How to listen: 97.5 the Fanatic App or website
Where to watch: FS1
The Philadelphia Union begin the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League tonight hosting Atlas F.C. of the Liga MX in the first leg. This is going to be a big test for the Union tonight. While both teams are having rough starts in their respective team plays, both squads will be looking for some goals, especially Atlas being on the road.
The Union beat Alianza San Salvador 4-0 in Aggregate. In the first leg in San Salvador, the teams drew, but the head coach Jim Curtin also opted to not have all of the typical starters were slated in the starting XI for Curtin’s side, but eventually subbed a majority of them in. The pitch conditions weren’t great, but the Union had a ton of scoring chances. We could see just how much the pitch affected the play of both sides, but heavily on the Union due to them not being used to playing on a pitch in such bad condition.
Coming home for the second leg, the Union found a way to turn it on thanks to Andreas Perea’s two goals and Daniel Gazdag and Damion Lowe adding goals as well, it was just a dominating effort by the Union in the 2nd leg. It also was really the last time the Union appeared to have a ton of confidence in themselves. This could be a big game for the confidence levels of the Union and Curtin could be a little more aggressive tonight to send a message to his guys.
The Union are currently winless in their last 3 MLS matches. The meltdown in Montréal, Orlando City SC scoring 2 goals early and the Union were unable to match them the rest of the match and drawing in the previous match against a struggling Sporting Kansas City team. If the Union are going to want to move on this tournament, they will have to be brave as Curtin said in his press conference on Saturday after the draw to SKC.
On the other side of the pitch, Atlas F.C. is currently sitting in 12th in Liga MX. Atlas has 2W-7D-4L in their respective league play. Atlas has had 5 clean sheets posted against them in the 13 league matches. As for Champions League play, Atlas beat Olimpia in the first round of the Champions League. It was a battle for Atlas to get to this round and had to be dominant in the second leg of their matchup.
After losing the first leg 4-0 on the road to Olimpia, Atlas had to come home and win 5-0 or 4-0 and move to penalty kicks to settle the game on aggregate. Well, Atlas did what they had to do and scored 4 goals at home while giving up none. They ended up winning in PKs and moved onto the second round. Atlas’s runs a pretty basic formation. Typically they run a 4-4-2, but in their home leg against Olimpia, they ran a 5-3-2. They will most likely run a flat 4-4-2 against Curtin’s 4-3-1-2.
The Union will have to watch Julián Quiñones of Atlas. In 13 games, Quiñones has 7 goals. Behind him is Brian Lozano with 5 goals in the 13 matches played. The Union will have their hands full tonight, especially with Kai Wagner still out for the Union, its going to be a tough task. If the Union can come out aggressive like they have, there is no doubt in my mind they can get the monkey off their back tonight and net some goals.
The key to a win tonight is creating penetration and simplifying the offense. Just get the ball into the scoring areas and take shots when you can. This team not only gives up goals, but they have problems scoring. Take advantage of that and the Union can win this and gain a ton of confidence and bring that to MLS play.