Widely considered the most complete team in MLS following their Supporters’ Shield win in 2019, LAFC likes to play in their opponent’s half — counterpressing to win the ball back quickly after losing it.
One consequence of this strategy is that it leaves the center backs isolated against what is often a single striker far up the pitch, with the goalie responsible for a broad space that often includes the entire defensive half.
This year, the Union are playing with two strikers, and on Sunday that meant second-year Brazilian big man Sergio Santos could isolate Dejan Jakovic or Tristan Blackmon. Santos, who resembles an elite NFL linebacker in size and acceleration, was often unmarkable. Controlling the ball while rolling off defenders, he would shift the entire match into the opponent’s half, allowing Philly to set up a high press that spotlighted the busyness of Brenden Aaronson, Jamiro Monteiro, and El Brujo Martinez.
Santos, you’ll remember, also scored what can fairly be referred to as an absolute banger.
The striker Jim Curtin said could rival Fafa Picault for speed never got his legs under him in 2019. A series of minor injuries prevented Santos from reaching a level of fitness that would make him effective in Philly’s high-octane system.
In the playoffs, fans finally saw their offseason signing in full bloom as he harassed New York Red Bulls defenders relentlessly before setting up the game-tying goal. Four days later, however, he didn’t have the energy to repeat the performance against Atlanta United.
Santos is a rare goal game-changer that does it with potential as well as actual. Watching him toss off defenders like a Marvel movie villain shrugging off heroes early in a film, opposing coaches have to commit extra bodies to his area. Santos will beat any defender in a footrace, and he’s developing a knack for winning aerial challenges by simply bodying others out of the space where the ball will land. He’s not great with his head, so he just creates enough space in a landing zone to use his feet or chest instead. He has yet to show the nuance needed to turn this ability to win 1v1 duels into regular threats on goal, but his performance against LAFC will give San Jose and DC United pause. Can they really leave anybody isolated against this man?
And if they can’t, what do you do about 15-goal scorer Kacper Przybylko?
This, ironically, is also Jim Curtin’s question now. With El Depredador blossoming but still lacking the awareness that makes Przybylko such a potent weapon in the box, how do the two players combine to become a regular goal threat as a duo? How do you turn Santos’ brand of vertical danger into consistent chances in the box?
It’s a question the Union had hoped to work on last season, but the Brazilian was never healthy enough to build a rhythm with teammates. Now he’s enjoying an extended run with Przybylko and playing on the same side as Jamiro Monteiro, who is likely still a week or so away from fifth gear following a shortened preseason.
