When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong… Union Lose Again

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Despite everything Schoolhouse Rocks may have said, three was definitely not a magic number for the Union. For the second straight week, the Union conceded three goals, as Real Salt Lake dispatched the visitors 3-0. The Union struggled in every facet of the game. Their marking was awful, they failed to generate scoring chances, and they suffered yet another defensive lapse that led to a goal. Aside from that, they played a whale of a game.   

Peter Nowak went with a starting eleven of Chris Seitz, Jordan Harvey, Danny Califf, Michael Orozco, Cristian Arrieta, Roger Torres, Kyle Nakazawa, Andrew Jacobson, Fred, Alejandro Moreno, and Jack McInereny. Aside from Nakazawa, who started in place of the suspended Stefani Miglioranzi, and McInereny, who started in place of the injured Sebastien Le Toux, this has been the Nowak’s standard starting lineup. I was pleased to see that Nowak rewarded Nakazawa for his play against LA last week with a starting nod against RSL. Needless to say I was beyond thrilled to see Jack Mac get his first career start.  

In what was an early sign of things to come RSL forward Robbie Findley completely undressed Arrieta with a series of step-overs in the 5th minute. Arrieta played what was by far his worst game of the season. He played a blind back pass intended for Seitz, which landed on the foot of Alvaro Saborio, which would have been great except that Saborio plays for RSL. After a desperate play by Harvey to knock the ball away from Saborio the ball finally end up on Kyle Beckerman’s left foot, who deposited it past Seitz for a 1-0 RSL lead.  

Next, Arrieta was shown yellow for a bad tackle just outside the Union’s 18 yard box. On the ensuing free kick Javier Morales served a ball into the box. Torres, who was part of the two-man wall, channeled his inner anti-Laperriere and in what was a cowardly move ducked as the Morales free kick sailed towards him. Seitz fumbled the free kick right onto the foot of an oncoming Jamison Olave for a 2-0 RSL lead.  Finally, Arrieta was lost defensively and failed to mark Saborio who got his head on the other end of a nice serve into the area by Pablo Campos to put the 3-0 icing on the cake for RSL. Not Arrieta’s best 90 minutes ever.  

This was not one of the many games where the Union outplayed the opposition only to lose due to a red card or defensive lapse. Aside from the opening fifteen or twenty minutes RSL was in control throughout. For me, the most discouraging thing was the lack of quality scoring chances. They were unable to get on the end of any balls inside the RSL penalty box. Ok, let’s get into some more detailed observations.   

  • Nakazawa again provided excellent service on set pieces. I am guessing Miglioranzi will move back into the starting lineup, but Nakazawa’s performances the last two weeks were encouraging. 
  • Moreno gave a great effort in sprinting at RSL keeper Nick Rimando forcing a turnover. Jack Mac collected the ball and had an open net, but hesitated before getting off a shot which was blocked by a sliding RSL player. 
  • Torres had a chance in the 22nd minute on a ball served into the area by Harvey, but was unable to finish. Like Arrieta he did not play one of his better games. 
  • The more I watch him the more I am impressed with Fred. His first touch is off the charts, his ability to shield the ball is terrific, he’s constantly drawing fouls, and he’s an incredibly creative player. He was my man of the match. 
  • Jack Mac struggled in his first start. He was up against two big and physical RSL center backs (Olave and Nat Borchers). He was unable to find space and the service was not there for his usual well-timed runs. 
  • Shea Salinas, who came on as a sub in the 53rd minute, showed tremendous pace and a willingness to go at people. He split a double team, pushed a ball past a defender and blew by him, and also drew a yellow on Borchers. 
  • Harvey got forward on a couple of occasions and served some decent balls into the area. He had a chance on net, but struck the ball with his less favored right foot and hit a soft shot wide of the near post. 
  • Moreno has a little Wille McGee in him. He always looks like he’s grimacing, uncomfortable, and in some sort of pain. He closed out the game with a solid strike on goal from the top of the 18, which was handled by Rimando. 

Next up for the Union is a Saturday afternoon game at the Linc against FC Dallas. This is scheduled to be the final home match for the Union at the Linc before moving into PPL Park on June 27th. By the way, it’s not a good thing that this team plays 12 of their first 15 games on the road. 

They need home games, and they need them soon. 

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