Defensive Shortcomings Cost Philadelphia Union In Draw With FC Cincinnati

The Union blew a two-goal lead at home in the second half against the best team in Major League Soccer.

CHESTER — Everything went well for the Philadelphia Union until it didn’t on Saturday night against FC Cincinnati.

The Union experienced a stunning and sudden drop off in the second half of their 2-2 draw in which they blew a two-goal home lead to the best team in Major League Soccer.

The final result was disappointing to say the least, and it led for more calls for head coach Jim Curtin to abandon the 3-5-2 formation in favor of the foundational 4-4-2 diamond that has been run for the last few years.

But Curtin was not as quick to throw away the formation as many fans and pundits were after the final whistle.

“I don’t blame the formation on this instance because it can’t look so good in the first half, where we could have had four goals, and then the second half you concede early and give them hope,” Curtin said.

“We made two big mistakes. They punished us and the at the end of the day it’s a point each,” Curtin continued.

Curtin isn’t 100 percent wrong, but some of the qualities that come with the 3-5-2 led to Saturday’s downfall.