July 10, 2016
Daniel Gajdamowicz/Philly Soccer Page
The Union's 3-0 win over D.C. United was the club's first shutout since May 20.
A comprehensive three-nil home win over D.C. United should be enough to wash away the bad taste from Houston, when Cristian Maidana scored on a stoppage-time free kick to send his former team home with nothing.
This one didn't feature any of last week's struggles.
The Union attacked with purpose, defended with numbers, and overall just looked rested and energetic after finally having a full week to prepare for a game.
It was the first clean sheet since the Union beat D.C. United 1-0 back in May. That game was a sloppy nail biter with a stoppage-time Richie Marquez goal. This one was a thorough skewering with a deserved scoreline.
We saw flashes of brilliance from Ilsinho as early as the first preseason games in Florida.
What we did not see was goals, assists, and end product, but that's starting to change as the Brazilian midfielder learns more about the league and gets closer to full fitness.
The tricks and flicks have always been there, and this one was my favorite of the night.
You're a magician, Ilsinho. #DOOP https://t.co/q7KBHjYP37
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 10, 2016
I'm not sure if this move has a name, but it comes from the Cruyff-turn skill tree. Danny Cruz used it to change pace and direction, and you see Cristiano Ronaldo use it frequently to make 90 degree cuts with ease. In this case, Ilsinho tries it with a first touch and pulls off the nutmeg.
He earned a penalty and took the kick from Roland Alberg, which I think was the right decision. Ilsinho missed a penalty earlier this season, so it certainly took a bit of confidence to step up, take this one, and get his first MLS goal.
On the second goal, he peels nicely on a Union set piece, which Alberg hits toward C.J. Sapong for a clinical knock down.
Ilsinho scores again! It's 3-0 Philly. pic.twitter.com/ZVKTvzA79o
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) July 10, 2016
Much credit to Ilsinho, who immediately went up to Sapong after the goal to thank him for putting that ball on a platter. That's not a loose ball or a scramble inside the box; it's a brilliant assist from a prototypical center forward.
Ilsinho finished the day with a respectable stat line:
2 goals, 3 shots, 1 tackle, 3 recoveries, 1 key pass, and 24/28 passing (one clearance lumped up the field)
He's logged as completing two of five successful dribbles and earned the penalty that he converted himself.
Midway through the first half, you may have noticed that Ilsinho was pushing inside incredibly far, almost to the point where he was playing next to C.J. Sapong on the forward line.
This is by design. It's the result of successfully getting your fullbacks up the field to occupy the space vacated by a pinching midfielder.
Picture the Union's 4-2-3-1 as we would write it out on paper. Then, take the defensive and midfield lines and “rotate” the shape counter-clockwise by about 45 degrees.
You get something like this:
You saw Columbus do this successfully on their run to the MLS Cup final last season. The Crew were extremely aggressive with their fullbacks and would try to push them up the field as far as possible. Wil Trapp would then drop between the split center backs to begin the buildup.
This is a really effective way to attack if you're comfortable with defensive coverage. Rosenberry and Ilsinho have shown some great understanding on the right flank, and any passage of play that allows the rookie fullback to get forward, while putting Ilsinho closer to goal, is going to give you more bite in the attacking third.
I can't fit the design into one illustration, so let me break it up into two parts.
The first one shows the three man defense, with Brian Carroll dropping between the center halves. Keegan Rosenberry and Fabinho are so far up the field that they aren't even in the picture.
In the next illustration, you'll see how the fullbacks are in advanced positions taking up even more space that the midfielders forfeited.
Roland Alberg has moved forward to get back into his #10 spot, and the collapsing moves from Ilsinho and Chris Pontius essentially create a tight, five-man line behind C.J. Sapong in the center forward role.
C.J. Sapong: B+
Ben Olsen told reporters that C.J. Sapong “manhandled” his team, and he's not wrong.
It only took four minutes for Sapong to win a dangerous free-kick opportunity as a direct result of his hold-up play. He was bothersome in his center forward role and really put in his typical, hard-working shift, even in his first start since the June 1st ankle injury.
We mentioned earlier his brilliant assist on the third Union goal. He also had a chance to get on the score-sheet himself, but was denied by Bill Hamid on a point-blank header in the second half.
Ilsinho: A
Two goals for the Brazilian, who I think isn't even close to reaching his MLS ceiling.
Roland Alberg: C+
I found it interesting that he was the one hitting Union restarts in this game. Usually Tranquillo Barnetta is on dead ball duty, but Jim Curtin explained that they wanted to mix it up this time and show something different. He converted the penalty that he didn't earn, so you can decide how much credit he gets for that one.
A couple of times in this game he got inside the box, but just didn't have enough urgency to pick out a pass or take a shot. He seemed liked he was a bit slow in his decision making in the attacking third.
Chris Pontius: B+
Again, for the thousandth time, Pontius continues to impact games without getting that score-sheet recognition.
In this one, he earned the penalty that Alberg converted. Later, he took the second yellow card foul that got Kofi Opare sent off. If you add that up, Pontius was good enough for a +1 goal swing, and a second-half man advantage.
Tranquillo Barnetta: C+
Excellent pass to spring Pontius leading up to the opening penalty. He won't get an assist for it, unfortunately. Otherwise, he had a rather quiet game, but that's okay. He doesn't need to be the play-maker when he's sitting in the #8 role and his teammates are taking care of business.
Brian Carroll: B+
Did you hear his name called? No, and that's when he's at his best.
Fabinho: B
His crossing was a bit off in this game, but he put in a smart and tidy defensive performance.
Richie Marquez: A-
No issues with Alhaji Kamara, or Lamar Neagle, or Fabian Espindola, or anyone really. Marquez has been looking for a clean sheet for some time now, and he finally got it.
Ken Tribbett: A
His first contribution was a nice rotation to pick up Kamara and snuff out a half-chance inside the box. That was a tone-setter, and Tribbett went on to play one of his best games in a Union shirt.
Keegan Rosenberry: B+
Strong defensively and influential going forward up the right flank, which allowed Ilsinho to get inside and create chaos. The rookie has been consistent all season long and will represent the Union in the MLS all-star game.
Andre Blake: A
Blake is back to normal. He's making big saves, he's commanding his box, and he's communicating well.
68' Sebastien Le Toux: C+
Spelled Ilsinho on the wing when the game was pretty much in the bag.
71' Warren Creavalle: C+
Easy shift for Creavalle, who came on to lock things down and ride out the win.
78' Fabian Herbers: N/A
Good to see him back from the hamstring injury.
Sorin Stoica: B
Stoica has had some shockers this year, but he was pretty good in this one, getting the penalty calls correct and keeping the game under control.
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @Kevin_Kinkead
