Union Hold On After Early Goal vs Cincinnati II

Credit: MLS NEXT Pro

Union II returned to winning ways at Subaru Park versus Cincinnati in what looked to be the start of a shootout. With an early goal from Kellan LeBlanc and suffocating pressure from Philly, the game only looked to be headed in one direction, but the chances evened out. Although Cincinnati was never able to find an equalizer, the match was just about deadlocked in shots and possession.

Kellan LeBlanc got Union II off the mark in the second minute of the match with a free kick that bounced off the bar and in. The free kick was nothing short of a masterpiece, and it marked the start of a wave of Union II pressure. For much of the first half, Union II locked Cincinnati into their own defensive third, allowing deeper players to step forward and create chances. Despite the number of chances early on for the Union, they only had one goal to show for going into the second half.

Much like the first, the second half was sloppy due to its high tempo. Both teams ended the match with only 72% pass accuracy, displaying the frequent number of turnovers in the match. Within these choppy phases of play, Cincinnati had its fair share of shots, but rarely were Union II threatened. The same could be said for Cincinnati until Eddy Davis hit the post very late on. Besides his chance, the tale of the match was one of misplaced passes and a very high tempo that ruined the match flow.

Although they only scored one goal. Union II can be very happy with the defensive performance that they showed. Most of their defending was done on the front foot thanks to their high-intensity runs. The volume at which they complete these runs mirrors the same energy as the senior squad. Forwards like Sal Olivas, Eddy Davis, Markus Anderson, and Malik Jakupovic all set the tone of the match by running endlessly. This philosophy isn't just for show either. By covering the amount of ground these forwards do, Union II can close passing lanes and rush their opponents into bad decision-making. The result of this is a team that scores many goals in transition - a style suited for quick athletic forwards, which Union II has.

Pariano's Level Head

Much of the credit should go to Nick Pariano and his work to always be involved in the action. Pariano was everywhere against Cincinnati, popping up in both boxes and winning duals in the middle, too. With the nature of Union II being so aggressive and direct, it is important to have the balance of Pariano behind. His decision-making on the ball was the best on the field as he knew when to slow the game down. Although it wasn't done frequently enough by his teammates, Pariano made a conscious effort to give his team breathing room. The entirety of the match was played with both teams down each other's throats, so when the opportunity presented itself to slow down, Pariano took his chances. This thinking helped them see out a match that could have easily been flipped on its head. The 1-0 scoreline in favor of Union II gave them no room for error.

Attacking Options Too Similar?

Although they have had much success this season, the Union II attackers boast a lot of similarities to each other. Down the stretch, if a team manages to figure them out, it will be hard for them to adjust their style in a new way. Olivas, Anderson, Jakupovic, Eddy Davis, and Markus Anderson all like to run in behind and receive the ball into space. They are slim, athletic, and pacey forwards who don't have too much interest in dropping deep. This may come back to haunt them later down the road if a team adapts to their style. Perhaps one or two options that possess composure and technique in the final third could be the key to new success. With much of the forward line doing the same thing well, there is room for players to mix it up and try something different.

Cavan Sullivan is the immediate solution to this issue. His skill set is ideal for playing in the hole behind pacey forwards. They pull the defenders away, and he steps into the half space, ready to do his thing. The 442 formation is crying out for someone to drift into the middle behind the forward line, and he possesses the technique and quality to do so.

Next up for Union II is a big one. They will face NYRB II away in a battle between the top two teams in the East. Union II will have a chance to go top if they are able to come away with a victory. NYRB II has also lost recently, meaning they were unable to pull away from Union II after their loss to Carolina Core. With the East heating up, this matchup should produce some sparks.