{"id":46410,"date":"2023-03-31T13:30:37","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T17:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=46410"},"modified":"2023-03-31T13:30:37","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T17:30:37","slug":"philadelphia-unions-first-five","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2023\/03\/31\/philadelphia-unions-first-five\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Takeaways: Philadelphia Union\u2019s First Five MLS Fixtures"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019d be harsh to suggest that Philadelphia Union\u2019s MLS Cup final defeat to LAFC is hanging over them. But the Union set such a high standard in their last campaign that this season is proving something of a slow burner so far. Here are three takeaways from the Philadelphia Union&#8217;s first five MLS fixtures in the 2023 Major League Soccer season.<\/p>\n<h2>Union&#8217;s First Five MLS Season Games Overview<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Andre Blake\u2019s the Best Around<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s obvious to say that Union is conceding too many goals. Although when you consider that they\u2019ve conceded nearly a third (8) of last season\u2019s tally (26), it shows an alarming rate of defensive decline.<\/p>\n<p>The same back four of Olivier Mbaizo, Jakob Glesnes, Jack Elliott, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/09\/30\/philadelphia-unions-kai-wagner\/\" target=\"_self\">Kai Wagner<\/a> have been named in every game so far. However, in their last two league fixtures, Joe Bendik has been between the sticks after Andre Blake was injured against Chicago Fire in their third league match this season.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">WE&#39;RE MOVING ON IN <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheChampions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheChampions<\/a>!!! \ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n<p>The U take the 4-0 win over <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AlianzaFC_sv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@AlianzaFC_sv<\/a>! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DOOP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#DOOP<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SCCL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#SCCL23<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheChampions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheChampions<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/dcpaCGkTDD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/dcpaCGkTDD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PhilaUnion\/status\/1635822538319118339?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 15, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Despite keeping a clean sheet against El Salvador\u2019s Alianza FC in the CONCACAF Champions League, the 33-year-old has conceded five goals in two matches. Two goals in added time against Montreal and two in the first ten minutes against Orlando have been hurtful early on.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/10\/10\/philadelphia-unions-eastern-conference-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">How Does the Union\u2019s Eastern Conference Success Rank?<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;All signs are pointing to a positive return for Andre to the group on the weekend&#8230; the hope is that he does play on Saturday.&quot; &#8211; Coach Curtin <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DOOP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#DOOP<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yr4VL7O7yP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/yr4VL7O7yP<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PhilaUnion\/status\/1641120469708333056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 29, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It makes the Union grateful for their first-choice goalkeeper, arguably the best in MLS considering he was one of last season\u2019s Major League Soccer <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/10\/17\/unions-daniel-gazdag-mvp-nomination\/\" target=\"_self\">MVP nominees<\/a>. Additionally, there is also hope that he returns on Saturday for the Union but this seems unlikely with reports he&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whoscored.com\/Matches\/1701767\/Preview\/USA-Major-League-Soccer-2023-Philadelphia-Union-Sporting-Kansas-City\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">out<\/a> until mid-April.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Struggling to Combat Three Fixtures per Week?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Professional soccer players should be capable of playing numerous matches in midweek and at weekends, it\u2019s often a reward for being successful. Yet, for Philly, they were somewhat fortunate to record three points against the Fire with the visitors passing up three huge chances.<\/p>\n<p>However, the defeat to Montreal showed severe lapses of concentration in the latter stages. Is that down to fatigue? Or is that an easy excuse? Perhaps but travelling to El Salvador, Montreal, and Miami so far appears to be taking its toll on the team.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019ll be interesting to see if Philly can pick up points against Cincinnati and Chicago Fire after playing Mexican side Atlas home and away in the Champions League. Future fixtures will depend on if they can progress but it\u2019s proving more of a hindrance rather than a help.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Not Enough Offensive Signings?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Other than attacking midfielder Joaquin Torres arriving from CF Montreal, the only addition in offensive areas was turning Julian Carranza\u2019s loan signing into a permanent one. Perhaps they\u2019ve been found out somewhat and need some freshening up in attacking areas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/09\/30\/philadelphia-unions-kai-wagner\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">The Union\u2019s Kai Wagner would leave for Leeds United a legend<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Damion Lowe with a header off of Wagner&#39;s Corner!!! Goal scored in first half stoppage time. \u26a1\ufe0f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/DOOP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#DOOP<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SCCL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#SCCL23<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheChampions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheChampions<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5hzFFAg0m9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/5hzFFAg0m9<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PhilaUnion\/status\/1635806665822945281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 15, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>That being said, their defensive recruitment has been good. Damion Lowe has come in to do a job when needed, even scoring against Alianza and helping shut out their opponents over 180 minutes. Andres Perea netted against former employers Orlando City and is pushing for a permanent spot on the side.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s funny how statistics can be bent to look bad or fixed to put a positive spin on things. Perhaps it\u2019s simply a case of suffering from a hangover after a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/10\/10\/philadelphia-unions-eastern-conference-success\/\" target=\"_self\">successful season<\/a> despite no silverware last year.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re a goal worse off than in their first five fixtures last year but given they won four of those five, it isn\u2019t highlighted as much as the sluggish start that they\u2019re enduring so far this season. Get back to their best defensively and it\u2019ll give them a great base to build from.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports on March 11, 2023, of Philadelphia Union&#8217;s Headshot.<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019d be harsh to suggest that Philadelphia Union\u2019s MLS Cup final defeat to LAFC is hanging over them. But the Union set such a high standard in their last campaign that this season is proving something of a slow burner so far. Here are three takeaways from the Philadelphia Union&#8217;s first five MLS fixtures in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4315,"featured_media":46415,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3372,3427,1081,119,3507,7,3508],"tags":[399,5211,4437,1164,3826,4470,4458],"class_list":["post-46410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-concacaf","category-ccl","category-liga-mx","category-mls","category-northamericansoccer","category-union","category-soccer","tag-andre-blake","tag-damion-lowe","tag-joaquin-torres","tag-joe-bendik","tag-julian-carranza","tag-kai-wagner","tag-olivier-mbaizo"],"modified_by":"Raheem Bashir, Site Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4315"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46410"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46410\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}