Philadelphia Union: Three hopes, one fear

Hope #2: That Keegan Rosenberry can slow down Giovinco.

At the start of the season the MLS Rookie of the Year contest was simple: Jordan Morris. The Seattle Sounder was expected to run away with the award with little to no competition. But a funny thing happened en route to Morris’ title run: Keegan Rosenberry came along.

Although Mr. Morris certainly had a stellar campaign with the Sounders, Rosenberry has had an equally impressive season. The Georgetown University alum has anchored a very young, inexperienced Union defense and is a major reason for their success this season.

Rosenberry has handled everything that has been thrown at him thus far with very few errors. But things will get much more difficult on Wednesday night against Toronto FC and Sebastian Giovinco. In their first match-up Rosenberry did not fare too well against the Atomic Ant, getting beat easily in a 3-1 loss back in August. Giovinco found space in between Rosenberry and center-back Ken Tribbetts and exploited it.

Although Giovinco did not play in the 1-1 draw against the Union in September Rosenberry looked more prepared for TFC. In that match Rosenberry and Tribbetts were much closer together thus narrowing TFC’s window on the outside. Although there is certainly a difference between Giovinco and Jordan Hamilton the strategy worked and is something that Rosenberry and the Union defense should consider employing tomorrow evening.