CHESTER, Pa. -- The two-goal loss in their season opener against the Portland Timbers on Monday did not sit well with the Union players or coaches. Losing is one thing, but getting blown out after earning the second-half lead is something else entirely.
So when the Union return home to PPL Park on Sunday to host the Western Conference Colorado Rapids, they will be working to re-write their cringe-inducing start.
We still have 33 games left, said Union right back Sheanon Williams. There is no reason to hit any panic buttons, its one game. Its a long season and we didnt go undefeated last year, it happens. Wed like to win every game but thats not a realistic goal. We take the positives and look forward to Sunday.
The difference between playing at extremely hostile JELD-WEN Field and coming home is that the rabid fans will be at the Unions back -- an emotional boost that cant go overlooked.
Everybody is extremely excited, its been a long off-season away from PPL, said Williams. Ive talked to a few new guys and its hard to explain, they just have to see for themselves.
What plagued the Union against the Timbers was giving up too much space on the edges and allowing the opposition to make plays. Given an opportunity to create from the outside, the Timbers took full advantage, scoring three unanswered goals. After originally seizing momentum on a Gabriel Gomez goal in the 51st minute, the Union could only watch as the game slipped away.
It was a good first game in terms of intensity, it was especially good for the newcomers, said coach Peter Nowak. I think we adjusted to that environment very well. What happened after that -- we didnt give up -- but we left the space wide open for them and they took advantage. We need to match the intensity, physicality and do better all around.
The Rapids dominated the Columbus Crew, 2-0, in their opener. Similar to how the Timbers found space and made the Union pay for defensive mistakes, the Rapids took what the Crew gave them in the offensive third and capitalized with goals from Drew Moor and Quincy Amarikwa.
But instead of react to how the Rapids want to play, the Union are focused on setting the tempo early and following it throughout.
Were focusing on ourselves and forcing what we do well, said Williams. The game is at PPL, so we want to impose our game on them and play how we like to play. We dont want them coming into here and dictating how the game is played.
To do that, Nowak says his club needs to win the individual battles.
Colorado is a lot like Portland, they are very physical and they rely on speed and strength, said Nowak. you have to win the match-ups on the field. We need to make sure we stay compact, organized. We need to make sure our guys have all the information and are ready for the game.
Im sure they are going to be excited about the home opener and they will enjoy the crowd. But first things first, we need to match the physicality and intensity of the game.
The Union did receive from good news on the injury situations involving midfielder Roger Torres and defensive depth piece Chris Albright. Nowak noted that both are expected to be on the game-day lineup on Sunday.
E-mail Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com