photo: Earl Gardner
David Accam scored the game winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Bastian Schweinsteiger equalized just two minutes before to cap a crazy match in Chicago.
Haris Medunjanin scored his second goal of the season to open the scoring with a well taken individual effort. But the opener was canceled out in the 43rd minute when Mark McKenzie clumsily brought down Aleksandar Katai in the box and Nemanja Nikolic slotted in the ensuing spot kick. Cory Burke put the Union back in front before the half though, powering in a header from Fafa Picault’s lofted cross to the back post.
Chicago would draw level a second time in the 69th minute when Katai curled a daisy cutter in off the right post from distance. Burke would again respond for the Union to restore their lead, tapping in with his knee in the 73rd minute after Chicago goalkeeper Richard Sanchez dropped a shot straight to the rookie.
Chicago looked to have come back a third time when Schweinsteiger headed in unmarked from a corner kick in the 92nd minute, but Accam came back to haunt his old team, blasting a low shot past Sanchez in the 94th to give the Union a much needed three points.
Player Ratings
Andre Blake – 5
Gave up three goals but hard to fault him too much on any of them, maybe the second goal as it came from way out. He’ll be disappointed to give up that goal from the distance it was hit, but it was a tricky shot through traffic that he seemed to see late.
Keegan Rosenberry – 3
Never seems as active getting up the right when Ilsinho isn’t on the field. Has a chance to track Katai better on the Chicago second goal but misplays his run and completely loses the dangerous midfielder. Loses Schweinsteiger on Chicago’s third goal, reacting too late and losing his man.
Mark McKenzie – 4
McKenzie was decent on the night with three recoveries and four clearances. But one huge mistake on a clumsy challenge led straight to Chicago’s opening goal from the spot. Just an unnecessary challenge from the rookie defender.
Auston Trusty – 6
Continues to look un-rookie-like, notching seven recoveries and five clearances on the night.
Ray Gaddis – 5
Did well on the night to get the Union of a few tight spots by getting fouled on the break. Otherwise a quiet night for the left back, where he was fairly conservative getting forward.
Haris Medunjanin – 6
Not the greatest night passing for the creative midfielder, but he took his goal ever so well. The touch to get around the Fire defender was fantastic, and the finish was as cool as you’d like to see from the veteran.
Alejandro Bedoya – 6
Usual workman-like effort from the Union captain. Popped up on the right frequently, both making runs to open space and moving to accept the ball.
Borek Dockal – 4
Off night for the Union no. 10 who struggled to keep involved with the match. It wasn’t a surprise when he was pulled in the 66th minute.
Ilsinho – n/a
Made it just 17 minutes before leaving with what appears to be a hamstring or groin injury.
Fafa Picualt – 6
Grabs an assist on the night with his floated ball on the second Union goal. The run before his cross was one of his best of the night. His final third decision making continues to be infuriating and continues to hold both Picault as a player and the Union attack back.
Cory Burke – 8
Two more goals for the rookie. His first goal was a great finish with a fearless jump to get on the end of Picault’s cross and an authoritative header. His second was a little of the “striker’s instinct” of being in the right place at the right time, but that was also some truly awful goalkeeping. Disappeared for a section of the second half before his second goal, but doing the important job of putting the ball in the back of the net.
Substitutes
David Accam – 6
Looked like the match would end with another lackluster effort from the former Chicago man, but the winger finally got off the mark in league play, notching the game winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time. His effort before the goal was improved over some invisible performances of late. His goal was well taken – a good move and a bit of a fortuitous bounce to get around a defender and a smart finish.
Warren Creavalle – 4
Brought in in the 66th minute for Dockal, the holding midfielder seemed to be trailing Katai as he cut in from the right to fire in Chicago’s second goal. Did well to break up play a few times in the Chicago half leading to Union counterattacks.
C.J. Sapong – 3
Replaced Burke in the 78th minute. Still didn’t carve out a shot on goal but did some of his usual yeoman like defensive work to try to see out the match. Committed an unnecessary foul in the 96th minute that Schweinsteiger curled over the bar with a chance to equalize.
Geiger Counter:
David Gantar – 5
Didn’t involve himself in the match too much. Not too many complaints about McKenzie’s penalty.
Player of the Game – David Accam
First goal in league play is a 94th minute winner against his former side. That will do. Shout out to Cory Burke, who notched a brace on the night.
I think part of the reason for Rosenberry not getting up field more was the lack of Accam getting back and helping on defense.
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I also thought Fafa deserved higher than a 6. In addition to the assist, he had a number of runs to the corner but no one in the box to pass to.
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It was also interesting that Fafa stayed on the left when Accam came in. In the past he had normally switched to the right.
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The Union definitely played better when the game was tied than when they had the lead. They responded within 10 minutes to each of Chicago’s goals.
I think that Rosenberry has a tendency to take really bad angles in defending and he had to be more cautious last night as the Union were protecting a lead for most of the 2nd half.
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Also, he really isn’t a protypical attacking fullback who gets to the endline and crosses. He really ever gets that high or even below the 18 for most of the time. In many ways, he behaves like an extra midfielder and pinches in to help the team keep possession. Most of the time when he’s higher up the pitch, he’s more central.
I think Rosenberry hanging back was a tactical move by Curtin to make sure Katai didn’t have free reign down the wing. When the U stared pushing for a third goal you saw him move much higher up the pitch and actually play okay with Accam.
Accam displays a gross lack of energy. Bedoya is tireless whereas Accam will hardly run at loose balls within 10 feet of him. He’s by no means not the hustle-type Curtin adores. I would, however, like to see Accam and Burke in a two striker system…Alas, we’ll never see that.
Like when Accam beat Katai to that far post corner late in the match and won the foul?
You know I’m right. Just because he had a late winner doesn’t change the fact he didn’t appear to care at all for 72 minutes or however long he played. In our system the wingers need to play defense and track back. Rosenberry was all alone as soon as Ilsinho went off. Accam brings half the energy of anybody else on the pitch.
Accam had two successful tackles while Picault had none (in less minutes by the way). They each had one interception and if you look at their respective heat maps, they are very similar in the areas that they were in. And actually, Accam spent more time inside the Union’s box than Picault did.
Do the stats say anything about actual ground covered? I hear what you’re saying and I know stats are important to everyone nowadays but if you watch the way Accam plays he’s got no fire. He’s not starting for a reason. Why didn’t he take his preferred left side and bump Fafa to the right side? Because Curtin said so (or because Fafa said so). Either way, Accam’s stock is low and for good reason because he’s uninterested. He got a fat check from Philadelphia and hasn’t proven anything with this game or in the months since he’s been signed. Why defend the guy? He’s another front office failure and I don’t think singing the praises of him changes anything. This season was supposed to be Fafa and Accam lighting up the sidelines supporting CJ with no deficit in the goal department and what do we have? We have virtually nothing coming from our trusty striker and big money winger. We have to rely on a over-the-hill Brazilian and a minor league striker with no composure whatsoever (shocked Burke wasn’t sent off). One game-winner and tackling stats doesn’t change Accam has failed us this season. Remember the airport welcoming?
OK, I get it…you’re disappointed in Accam’s season so far and his lack of production. I think that everyone (Accam included) would agree with you on that point.
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I was just refuting your comments about Accam’s performance on Wed which were off-base.
I’m unable to view his performance as objectively as you. I also probably have some lingering emotions tied to the fact I went to bed and actually missed Accam’s game-winner.
Hehe, that’s too funny. Makes perfect sense now.
Blake should have saved the 2nd and 3rd goals. There is some serious favoritism from PSP’s writers
I think we’ve been pretty balanced on covering Andre Blake:
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https://phillysoccerpage.net/2018/01/18/andre-blake-is-not-the-answer/comment-page-1/
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https://phillysoccerpage.net/2017/06/08/how-good-is-andre-blake/
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…and I agree with your take that he should have done better on both of those goals.