Union-Dynamo: 3 Things to Watch

A quick post to end the brief hiatus focused on this afternoon's playoff match between the Philadelphia Union and the Houston Dynamo.  Here are three USMNT-centric things I'll be watching for at PPL Park:

1. Davis v. Williams:

For much of the year, Sheanon Williams has flown under the radar.  But that hasn't stopped the 21 year old from turning in strong performance after strong performance in his first full season in MLS.  I've consistently said that his play merits a call into USMNT camp in the near future, and I think an MLS Best XI selection could be on the horizon as well.

He's been one of the key cogs of a re-tooled and much more effective Union defense, but he'll have a handful today when he matches up with Brad Davis on the flank.  Davis has put together an MVP campaign, wracking up the assists with stellar service.  If Houston are to have success on the road, they'll likely need Davis to drive the attack, so expect plenty of passes into his feet on the win.

The last time these two teams played, Williams handled Davis pretty well with some help from Michael Farfan in the midfield.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Davis switched to the right from time to time to get away from Williams and into a much more favorable match-up against Gabriel Farfan.

I expect both of these players to get called into USMNT camp in January (perhaps even sooner, who knows), but tonight they'll both be key figures in setting the tone of this aggregate tie.


2. Geoff Cameron:

Jurgen Klinsmann has been looking for a center back with the right mix of physicality, aerial ability, and ball skills.  To date, he hasn't really been successful in unearthing a competent possession-oriented center back, while Oguchi Onyewu and Carlos Bocanegra have stepped up to claim starting roles.

But might he find that desired center back option (and more depth) in Cameron, whose move from the midfield to the back has helped Houston put together a strong stretch run?  I don't know if Cameron has enough to overtake a healthy, in-form Onyewu, but as we've learned over the past couple of years, the top options aren't always healthy and/or in form, so it never hurts to find quality depth (or a potential heir apparent).  (With that in mind, though, the center back in the playoffs that will draw most of my attention is Omar Gonzalez, who in my opinion is long overdue for a call into camp.)

Against Philadelphia, Cameron will be tested, with Sebastian Le Toux riding a fine run of form over the past couple of months.


3. Farfan, Farfan, and Adu:

The young American trio will be key to the Union's success.  The Farfan twins have turned in solid debut seasons, but most USMNT fans will want to see what Freddy Adu is capable of.  Adu hasn't been particularly remarkable in his stint with Philly thus far, with some big plays but some middling outings as well.  I expect we'll see Freddy as an attacking sub in the second half, at which point he can make a big difference running at tired defenders.

Adu has been playing a little too pensively of late, in my opinion, looking for that perfect pass or dribbling opportunity.  If he's able to play a little more simply and quickly on the ball, he'll be much more effective, as he was during the last two matches of the Gold Cup.  This would also open up the opportunities for him later on to take on a defender or go for that cutting ball with confidence.

We'll see if and how he's deployed, and if he's able to leave a positive mark on the match.

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I'm heading out to PPL Park in just a few minutes.  Tune into the match at 5 PM ET on ESPN2.  Enjoy, everybody.