When: 7:30 pm
Where: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
How to Watch: Apple T.V. MLS Pass
How to Listen:
Philadelphia: 97.5 the Fanatic
Cincinnati: ESPN 1530
The Philadelphia Union are heading to the Queen City tonight to face Cincinnati F.C. Cincinnati currently sits atop of the Eastern Conference as they have come out as one of the best teams in the league. This will be a rematch of the Eastern Conference Semifinals from last season. Cincinnati is 4W-2D-0L this season posting 4 clean sheets. This is going to be a big test in this early portion of the season for the Union and a chance for them to bring the confidence they earned from their 1-nil win versus Atlas F.C. in the Champions League match.
The Union come into this match 2W-1D-3L. Finishing in the final third has been the Union’s biggest problem this season. Creating penetration and making the simple play has eluded this team. While they have been able to play effectively without Kai Wagner in the lineup, they are definitely missing his play making ability on the left side.
Head Coach did make it known that he wants his guys to play aggressive and to not be afraid of making mistakes. Curtin did switch from the Diamond to the Christmas Tree formation against Atlas having one striker high and the formation was definitely effective. Eventually, when Joaquin Torres came out and Mikael Uhre checked in, Curtin did switch back to the diamond. Depending on the situation, it seems like Curtin is willing to change formation, which could help this team in the long run considering all of the games they will be playing.
Overall, this team needs to be brave, as Curtin called out, and they did just that in the Atlas game. Continuing with playing the way they did could help them regain last year’s form and start a run early. There is a lot of soccer left to be played and I have no doubt the Union will find their form; it would just be better to have it happen sooner than later so they could potentially have home field advantage throughout the playoffs when it comes. Points early on can be just as important as points down the road.
Cincinnati is undefeated this season and every team is going to want to give them their first loss. Cincinnati have had issues scoring, just like the Union, but their defense has been great. In fact, Goalkeeper Roman Celentano is one clean sheet away from the club record for shutouts in a single season. Their record is 5 shutouts held by Przemyslaw Tyton and Celentano from last season.
If the Union can strike first and have another good start, then they can bring it to Cincinnati early and control the pace of the game. The lineup might be a little shaken up still with Champions League play on Wednesday. Getting a win tonight should carry over into Wednesday and down the line!