Union fans endured arguably the most frustrating game of the season this past Saturday. Although the team has had their ups and downs throughout the season, their last game against Montreal was crucial and the Union gave up three valuable points they desperately needed. The end result was 2-1 in favor of the Montreal Impact. The Impact secured a playoff position and left the Union with minimal chances of offseason play.
Prior to this game, both the Union and the Impact were tied in the Eastern conference with 46 points. So clearly the game was a must-win for both teams.
Starting with the lineup, Union looked pretty strong. Both Sheanon Williams and Fabinho were back from suspension and positioned usually: Williams at right back and Fabinho in left midfield. Jose Kleberson was also featured in the starting lineup for the second consecutive week. Up top Hackworth put Jack McInerney and Conor Casey.
Immediately it was obvious that both teams were fighting for the playoffs. Fabinho kicked the scoring off in the 29th minute when he scored an impressive goal. Kleberson had taken the ball down the center midfield. Fabinho was making a run down the field as well to the left of him. Fabinho curved into the box and Kleberson played a through ball to him. Fabinho then took the shot off at such an acute angle and the ball soared right past Impact goalkeeper, Troy Perkins. Fabinho’s well-deserved first goal of the season brought the Union up 1-0 and kept them in the lead for quite some time.
It wasn’t until the 64th minute when Montreal were able to equalize. Impact player Felipe had the ball just outside the box, he passed it off to Davy Arnaud in the box. Arnaud then gave it to Marco Di Vaio when turned around Union defender, Amobi Okugo, took the shot off and sunk it in the back of the net while the home crowd went wild around him.
Everything seemed to come crashing down for the Union in the 84th minute when the Impact scored the second and final goal of the match that would give them the lead. Former Union midfielder Justin Mapp was to take a free kick from distance outside the box. He sent the ball in and directly found Karl Ouimette.
With just minutes left of the game, the Union weren’t able to pick up any points in Montreal.
The club now stands in 7th place of the Eastern conference with just the slightest of chances of making it to the playoffs. Next week the Union are scheduled to play Sporting Kansas City in what will be their most important game of the season. If the Union want to play in the postseason they are going to need pick up three points at home and withhold Sporting Kansas City from winning the Supporters Shield. Along with a Union victory, the New England Revolution need to lose away at Columbus and the Houston Dynamo need to lose away at DC. Which, realistically the Union’s chances of making it to the playoffs are nearly impossible. Sporting Kansas City are one of the best teams in the league and pulling out a win against them will be hard enough as it is. Personally, I believe the Columbus Crew have a decent chance at winning against New England, the game that is most likely not going to favor the Union is the Houston v. DC United one. DC United is the worst team in the league with only three wins the entire season. It should be a relatively easy game for Houston to win. However, DC United are not to be underestimated as just recently they beat Real Salt Lake, one of the best teams in the league, in the Open Cup. So there is a possibility we will see the Union in the playoffs but the odds aren’t in their favor.
