Impact Lose to Philly in Clearwater...

Polish u21 international Kacper Przybylko scored the only goal as Philadelphia Union defeated Montreal Impact in the Quebecers’ second pre-season friendly last night in Clearwater, Florida.

The goal arrived in the 56th minute.

The Union’s line-up was still missing midfielder Jaime Moreno, Kai Wagner and Andrew Wooten, but head coach Jim Curtin was still able to filed his strongest squad of this pre-season so far.

From the off and with both sides lacking sharpness, Union’s pressing game was effective with Alejandro Bedoya at the centre of most good things they produced. The Impact however found some opportunities to counter, but Mark Mckenzie in defence for Union was equal to any threat.

After Przybylko’s goal in the second half, the game became more disjointed in the way that pre-season games with a spate of replacements often can.

Impact head coach, Thierry Henry overseeing his second game was philosophical.

”Despite not starting as well as we should, this Philadelphia team has played this system for a while now. The team is mostly the same and their players have been playing together for a long time. We had a hard time getting into the game, but we finished a lot better. It could’ve been better at the start. We won’t look for excuses, but I am satisfied with the way we performed near the end.”

Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Between the posts, Clement Diop was given the start and he remained in place throughout the game, with no game time for Evan Bush. A significant clue from the management one wonders, as they ponder over which ‘keeper will start the season between the sticks.

Said Diop...

”I think we’re putting something in place that’s very interesting. We need to continue working on it with even more intensity. Everyone is trying to give their best effort. It’s a new style of play we’re trying to learn. We need to continue working on it. It’s a little disappointing that we didn’t manage a good result, but we’re working hard every day to improve.”

Three players were yellow-carded. Bojan from Montreal Impact and Przybylko and Martinez of Philadelphia.

The Impact are next in action against Orlando City at Orlando City Stadium, 1800 hrs on Saturday 8 February 2020.


Line-ups:

IMFC - starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Clement Diop — Jorge Corrales, Rudy Camacho, Rod Fanni, Clement Bayiha (46’ Zachary Brault-Guillard) — Shamit Shome, Samuel Piette, Steeven Saba (46’ Mathieu Choiniere) — Romell Quioto, Bojan, Maxi Urruti

IMFC - 61st minute (4-3-3, left to right): Clement Diop — Jorge Corrales (75’ Keesean Ferdinand), Rudy Camacho (73’ Luis Binks), Rod Fanni (73’ Joel Waterman), Zachary Brault-Guillard — Saphir Taider, Samuel Piette (75’ Tomas Giraldo), Mathieu Choiniere — Orji Okwonkwo, Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Ballou Tabla

Union - starting line-up: Joe Bendik; Matt Real, Mark McKenzie, Jakob Glesnes, Ray Gaddis; Matej Oravec, Alejandro Bedoya; Brenden Aaronson, Anthony Fontana; Kacper Przybylko, Sergio Santos

Union 2nd half line-up (after all subs made): Matt Freese, Olivier Mbaizo, Mark McKenzie, Aurelien Collin, Ray Gaddis; Cole Turner, El Brujo; Jack De Vries, Brenden Aaronson, Anthony Fontana; Michee Ngalina