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Asante, Chang Bring Creativity, Which One will Stand Tallest in SLCvPHX?

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/25/18, 11:57AM EDT

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Two of the league’s best creators go head-to-head at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday night

Saturday night brings one of the biggest contests of the 2018 USL regular season so far as the top two teams in the Western Conference – first-place Real Monarchs SLC and second-place Phoenix Rising FC – square off for the second time this season.

With the quality of seasons both clubs are experiencing, it’s no surprise that some of the league’s top talents are set to feature in the matchup at Zions Bank Stadium. Two of those are the Monarchs’ Maikel Chang and Phoenix’s Solomon Asante, who have been among the league’s best creators this season.

Both Chang and Asante sit in the top three in the league in Chances Created from Open Play according to Opta with Chang sitting on 44 and Asante on 43 trailing only the New York Red Bulls II’s Andrew Tinari on 47. The two play somewhat similar roles for their respective sides as well, with the touch maps from when the teams first met on April 7 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex producing a certain symmetry down the right side for their respective clubs.

Phoenix Rising FC vs. Real Monarchs SLC
4/7/18, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex

Both Chang (Green) and Asante (Black) did most of their work near the right flank as the Monarchs took a 1-0 victory against Rising FC, but the most interesting point on the map is that on the left side for the Monarchs, where Chang popped up to provide the assist on what proved to be Sebastian Velasquez’s game-winning goal early in the second half.

That flexibility occurs on occasion for both players, with Asante in particular given some freedom to roam centrally as he looks to combine with Jason Johnson, Chris Cortez and the rest of the Rising FC attacking corps.

 

But what makes both Asante and Chan most dangerous is their versatility and decision-making around the penalty area. If a defender plays either to cut into the center of the field, both can get in behind to the byline and pick out a dangerous cross. Chang has adapted particularly well to the Monarchs’ attacking targets like Chandler Hoffman and Sebastian Velasquez, with his ability to cut back a low ball to the center of the penalty area to pick out a teammate one of the key elements to success for Real’s attack this season.

On the other hand, if either Chang or Asante finds time and space to break into the channel, they’re capable of playing a decisive final through-ball to a teammate breaking in behind the defensive line. Asante not only benefits here from working into space himself from outside, but also finding pockets of space he can sit in for teammates to find him, allowing for a quick final pass to open up a chance.

There are plenty of standout performers to watch this Saturday night at Zions Bank Stadium (10 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+), but Asante and Chang are two who could prove game-changers for their respective sides on the night. 

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