Union Post 2.86 xG, 8 Big Chances in 2-0 Win

Philadelphia Union beat CF Montreal 2-0, and the chance sheet was even more one-sided than the score. Union posted 2.86 expected goals to Montreal's 1.22, 19 shots to 5, and eight big chances to one. Possession was close at 52-48.

Key Numbers

Union put 15 shots from inside the box and eight on target. Montreal put four inside the box and two on target. xG on target was 2.25-1.25. Box touches were 35-10. Expected assists were 1.33-0.48. Corners went 6-1 to the hosts.

Montreal still completed a higher share of passes (77% from 302/394 versus 72% from 310/428) and made more interceptions (14-8) and clearances (30-19). Their goalkeeper made six saves against 2.25 xGOT and finished at +0.25 goals prevented. Union's keeper made two saves and +1.25 goals prevented after a missed Montreal penalty.

Tactical Reading

Union started in a 4-4-2. Montreal used a 4-3-3. The first half was 0-0 and quiet on the chance map: 0.57-0.15 xG, six shots to two, one shot on target for Union. Almost all of the 2.86 xG arrived after the interval.

Danley Jean Jacques scored in the 58th minute. Prince Owusu missed a Montreal penalty in the 68th. Cavan Sullivan added the second in the 75th. That missed spot-kick is why Montreal's 1.22 xG and 1.25 xGOT produced zero goals. Union still left seven shots off target and four blocked, which is why eight big chances became two goals rather than four.

Standout Performers

Jean Jacques opened the scoring. Sullivan finished the second before being substituted in the 83rd minute. Owusu took the missed penalty. The Montreal goalkeeper's six saves kept the score from matching the eight big-chance count. Union's keeper posted +1.25 goals prevented after the saved-or-missed spot kick sequence.

What It Means

Philadelphia Union move to 21st in MLS with 27 points from 23 matches (36 scored, 39 conceded). CF Montreal sit 29th on 21 points from 23 (30 scored, 48 conceded). The win continues Union's WDDWW form line.

For live soccer on TV viewers this was a second-half volume game. Union owned the box, the big chances and the xG. Montreal's only high-value look from the penalty spot went unconverted. That is the difference between 2-0 and a much tighter night.