Union Face First CONCACAF Champions League Test
The Philadelphia Union play the club’s first CONCACAF Champions League game in history tomorrow in Costa Rica against Deportivo Saprissa at 6 PM ET, and they face quite a challenge.
First, a look at Saprissa:
Saprissa reign from the Costa Rican Primera Division where they currently sit tied for 3rd with a 4-9-3 record and 21 points. This is where the MLS is always at a disadvantage in the CCL, all other leagues are in the middle of the season, with their teams in midseason form. Where MLS is just coming off the preseason and starting the regular season. So, in terms of freshness and game readiness, Saprissa is going to have a major advantage over the Union, since this is the Union’s first competitive game of 2021.
Good news for the Union, Saprissa has been in a bit of a rut lately. In the last 5 games, Saprissa has drawn 3 and lost 2. Saprissa has not won since February 21. So while Saprissa is game-ready fitness-wise, the team’s form has been very mediocre as of late, something the Union will hope to take advantage of.
A big advantage Saprissa will have in the first leg is their home Stadium which is a horror house for American Soccer. The USMNT went 0-7-1 from 1989 to 2009 while playing in the stadium. While Saprissa’s stadium is no longer used for the Costa Rican national games, the Union will have to try and break the streak of American teams failing on their turf.
What to look for the Union
As stated, this will be the Union’s first competitive game of 2021, and while they are coming off a great preseason win over DC United where Anthony Fontana shined, the team will still be looking to get their feet under them and get back to game fitness.
Another big factor will be the Union’s injuries. The Union had to play their final preseason game without strikers due to injuries, so they are thin on the attack. Hopefully, Kacper Przybylko is able to get back, but no matter what they are shorthanded up top. Sergio Santos, Cory Burke, and Jack De Vries’s health are still questionable, so expect to see youth in Paxten Aaronson and Quinn Sullivan in the attack. Fortunately, the team does get back midfielder Jamiero Monteiro and Olivier Mbaizo from their national team duty.
What to Expect in Leg 1:
This is just leg 1 of the Round of 16, with leg 2 being a week after at Subaru Park. So, if leg one doesn’t go well for either team, they get the chance to fight back in leg 2. Given this fact, do not be surprised to see the Union play it safe in leg 1. Possibly a 4-2-3-1 formation with a mentality of making sure the defense stays intact. The Union being so injury rattled and on the road in a tough environment, a 1 goal deficit or a draw will be a welcomed result to bring back to Subaru Park. Especially given the fortress the Union’s home stadium has become over the last few years. Every game should be played with the mentality to win, but if the Union wants a chance to go through to the Quarterfinals, they need to survive Costa Rica and not bring back an insurmountable hill to climb.
Philadelphia Union Nation Predictions:
Skyler Hoffner: 1-1 Draw, Monteiro scoring the Union Goal
Ryan Hall: 2-2 Draw, Fontana will net both the Union Goals
Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PhiladelphiaSportsNation
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Categorized:Union