Philadelphia Union Working to Improve Game: A Fan’s Reaction

Those in charge of the Philadelphia Union have made it clear that they know that the team is in trouble. Manager John Hackworth also made it clear that the extended time between the previous game, which was against the New England Revolution, and the next game, which is against the Toronto FC, will be spent working on getting goals. Hackworth believes that one of the keys to getting the offensive players back on track is to build their confidence back up.

The last time the Union managed to score more than one goal in a game was in July. In the team's last game, despite the fact that Union had possession for a vast majority of the time, not one goal was scored. This is ridiculous. The defense did an excellent job in that game and preserved the scoreless tie. It could have easily been a win for the Union had just one player managed to get one goal instead of shooting the ball wide.

After the break, the team will travel to play the Toronto FC. The Toronto FC are currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference of the MLS. The New England Revolution were briefly below the Union in the standings, but the Revolution are now leading the Union by two points. The Union is leading the Toronto FC by five points. At this point, hoping for the playoffs is a waste of time.

I have little doubt that most fans remember the success the team saw in 2011 and the level of pride and faith that the team earned. Unfortunately, probably for at least some of those fans, including me, the only thing that can be counted on is disappointment. I really thought the team would be able to defeat the New England Revolution until the very end of the game. Hopefully, the team will really use this time to learn to aim properly and score goals. I am skeptical that the issue is based on confidence issues, but building up player confidence can't hurt. Considering that the next game is against the Toronto FC, I will once again hope for a victory even though I have been disappointed almost every time that I have been optimistic this season.

Kristin Watt lives in central Pennsylvania and has no local major league sporting teams in the area. She has chosen to adopt Philadelphia's teams, including the Philadelphia Union, as her own home teams. Philadelphia is close enough to make a daytrip out of a game and still not have to get a hotel room.