Pro Soccer: Sheanon Williams, Philadelphia Union Set For Visit by L.A. Galaxy
CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) - After losing 1-0 to expansion team Portland (Ore.) on the road Friday, the Philadelphia Union will look to bounce back on Wednesday night when they host the LA Galaxy in Chester, Pa.
Philadelphia's defense has been stellar all season long. They have allowed just three goals in MLS play so far, and one reason for that success is 21-year-old defender Sheanon Williams.
Signed from the Union's USL-2 affiliate (the Harrisburg City Islanders) last August, Williams played in eight games for the Union in 2010 and has started all seven games this season, logging 613 minutes on the pitch.
Williams says he is gaining more experience every day.
"As you get more and more games, you start to get more and more comfortable," he told KYW's Matt Leon. "Every team has a new challenge for you with new players and stuff coming at you, but you get to know your team better, and you get to know yourself better, and what you can and can't do. I've definitely taken it as a learning experience and have taken the opportunity to get better myself and try to help the team."
Hear Matt Leon's full interview with Union defender Sheanon Williams in this CBS Philly SportsPod...
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As for this matchup with the Galaxy, the Union is catching a break: LA midfielder David Beckham is not making the trip east.
But they still have talent, like forward Landon Donovan.
"They're playing well right now, and they got the better of us out there in LA," says Williams. (The Galaxy won that game, 1-0, on April 2nd.) "We know that they are a good team and we are definitely going to have to be on top of our game to get three points."
Williams says that first game gave them things to improve upon this time around:
"Keep the ball a little bit more, put a little bit more pressure on them higher up the field, and don't let them get too much of a rhythm -- because that's where I think they start to hurt teams when they get most of the possession and build up a rhythm."
Los Angeles is leading the Western Conference with 16 points (4-2-4). The Union is tied for second in the East, with 13 points (4-2-1).
Reported by Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio 1060
