Possession is a major key in Jason Kreis’ playing philosophy. Increased possession results in larger passing numbers.
New York City FC ranks third in the league averaging 356 successful passes per match – averaging 79.2 more completed passes per match than their opponent today. The Club trails only Columbus (385.67) and Orlando City SC (378.20).
Here's a look at the Top 5:
TEAM |
SUCCESSFUL PASSES/GAME |
|---|---|
Columbus Crew |
385.67 |
Orlando City SC |
378.20 |
New York City FC |
356 |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
354.40 |
Seattle Sounders |
353.25 |
Despite the high passing figures, New York City FC prefers to keep the ball on the ground for the most part. That’s evident as the Club ranks last in the league in open play crosses per match at 7.25.
Here's a look at the Bottom 5:
TEAM |
OPEN PLAY CROSSES/GAME |
|---|---|
New York City FC |
7.25 |
Real Salt Lake |
11.00 |
Montreal Impact |
11.00 |
Vancouver Whitecaps |
11.40 |
San Jose Earthquakes |
11.60 |
Set Piece Struggles
The Philadelphia Union have struggled defending set pieces this season. The team has given up a Major League Soccer-leading seven goals from set pieces through the first five weeks of the campaign.
No other club has surrendered more than five set-piece goals, with Orlando City SC having allowed four.
The winless Union (0-3-2; 2 points) gave up three goals from set pieces to Sporting Kansas City last weekend, including two in stoppage time, in a 3-2 defeat.
“It's just set pieces. We are too weak to win our battles,” midfielder Sebastien Le Toux said. “They wanted it more than us and they scored. It’s the same story in the last few games. We can't keep a result when we are up. It's just the same story for us.”
Dating back to last season, Philadelphia has conceded a goal in the 75th minute or later in five of its last nine MLS matches. This season, the Union have given up five points from a leading position. No other club has lost more than three.
TEAM |
SET PIECE GOALS ALLOWED |
|---|---|
Philadelphia Union |
7 |
Orlando City SC |
4 |
Portland Timbers |
3 |
San Jose Earthquakes |
3 |
Sporting Kansas City |
3 |
Chicago Fire |
2 |
New England Revolution |
2 |
New York City FC |
2 |
New York Red Bulls |
2 |
Colorado Rapids |
1 |
Columbus Crew |
1 |
FC Dallas |
1 |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
1 |
Real Salt Lake |
1 |
Toronto FC |
1 |
Vancouver Whitecaps |
1 |
D.C. United |
0 |
Houston Dynamo |
0 |
Montreal Impact |
0 |
Seattle Sounders |
0 |
Philadelphia’s aerial struggles aren’t limited to just set pieces. The Union have the league’s second-worst aerial duals winning percentage (43 percent). Only Toronto FC struggles more in the air.
TEAM |
AERIAL WINNING % |
|---|---|
FC Dallas |
56% |
Chicago Fire |
56% |
Seattle Sounders |
55% |
Orlando City SC |
54% |
Columbus Crew |
54% |
New York City FC |
53% |
D.C. United |
51% |
San Jose Earthquakes |
51% |
Colorado Rapids |
51% |
Sporting Kansas City |
50% |
Portland Timbers |
50% |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
49% |
Montreal Impact |
49% |
Houston Dynamo |
48% |
New England Revolution |
48% |
New York Red Bulls |
47% |
Vancouver Whitecaps |
46% |
Real Salt Lake |
43% |
Philadelphia Union |
43% |
Toronto FC |
43% |
Mbolhi Out; McCarthy In
On Wednesday, Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin announced starting goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi was benched ahead of today’s Eastern Conference match against New York City FC and given an indefinite leave of absence.
The Algerian international allowed nine goals on 20 shots this season with just 10 saves.
“Rais Mbolhi will not be playing in goal,” Curtin said. “John McCarthy will be our starter and Andre Blake will back him up. It was my decision and it was based on performance. It’s what I think is best for Rais and the Philadelphia Union moving forward.”
The 22-year-old McCarthy the 2014 USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year with the Rochester Rhinos. He led the league with a 0.72 goals against average, allowing 13 goals in 18 matches. McCarthy recorded 10 shutouts with 41 saves.
