Photo: Paul Rudderow
Kacper Przybylko scored the only goal of the game and the Philadelphia Union earned a clean sheet against a listless New York Red Bulls side.
The Union looked the better side all evening and would have only had themselves to blame if New York had found an equalizer. The Red Bulls press was effective in turning the ball over deep in the Union half a few times and Philly can count themselves lucky that Andre Blake was able to come up big when called upon and that New York was wasteful with their opportunities in the final third.
Player Ratings
Andre Blake – 7
Three saves and a clean sheet for Blake. Big save in the 60th minute to deny Tom Barlow and preserve the three points.
Ray Gaddis – 7
Good night for Ray who had acres of space to operate in on the right side. Terrific cross for Przybylko’s goal – waiting for the striker to make his run and then firing a perfect ball to be tapped home.
Jakob Glesnes – 7
Thought Glesnes was solid. Reliable defensively – 6 recoveries and 7 clearances – and offered some decent long passes to try to cut out New York’s press. Still seems his fitness isn’t 100% as Jack Elliott had to replace him in the 74th minute.
Mark McKenzie – 6
Good night for McKenzie outside of the terrible pass in the 60th minute that led to Barlow’s chance. Eight clearances on the evening, all from inside the Union box.
Kai Wagner – 6
Reliable evening for the left back, who showed no sign of the injury that kept him out of the match in New England. Struggled a little bit to get forward as the Red Bulls really focused on shutting down the Union left side.
Jose Martinez – 7
Another match without a yellow card for Martinez. Finished with a team high 10 recoveries in a decent night deputizing the center of the park.
Jamiro Monteiro – 6
Another active night for Monteiro coming in off the left, another night where it still feels like he can find another level in the final third. Reliable in possession with tidy passing most of the evening.
Alejandro Bedoya – 7
Two key passes and maybe more importantly four interceptions (three in the New York half). The Red Bulls allowed Bedoya to have space for much of the first half and he made them pay with his involvement in the Union goal.
Brenden Aaronson – 5
Mixed bag for Aaronson who had trouble finding the game for portions of the match. Still has another level to hit with his decisions in the final third.
Andrew Wooten – 3
Given a start in place of Sergio Santos, Wooten did little to prove he should keep his place. Completed only six passes and attempted no shots in just under 60 minutes of game time.
Kacper Przybylko – 7
More involved than last week in New England and did the business with an easy tap in for the game winner. Probably should have had a second goal but denied by Meara right before halftime. Also cleared a Red Bulls attempt off the line.
Subs
Sergio Santos – 4
Needed to score with his chance in the 79th minute. It was there.
Ilsinho – 6
Worked hard defensively after arriving in the 75th minute for the ineffective Aarsonson. Even finished with two recoveries deep in his own end.
Jack Elliott – 6
Finished what Glesnes started and helped to preserve the clean sheet.
Warren Creavalle – 6
As with Elliott, did the job and help preserved the clean sheet in just over 10 minutes of playing time.
Man of the Match – Kacper Przybylko
A more involved performance from the big striker who notched the game winner with a well timed run and an easy finish. Should have had a second just before halftime, but did well to save a ball off the line in that same time period.
Geiger Counter
Rubiel Vazquez – 7
Another match where I hardly noticed the referee. Decent job from Vazquez to keep the game moving.
I would probably give Kacper an 8 given the goal and the clearance. I would also bump Aaronson up to a 6. He should have had an assist if Santos had been able to finish (at least I think it was on the Santos miss and not Kacper’s late miss).
I would bump up Kacper as well, but more for the baby bump celebration after his goal. Congratulations, papi!
I thought Ray looked better than his reliably-defensive self. I think we’ll miss him when he’s gone. Still, I hope that he finally gets his first goal, but only at Subuaru Park when there is a full house.
here’s hoping that the U are up 2-0 sometime and get a PK. Let Gaddis take it.
+1
I think 3 for Wooten is a bit unfair. He certainly wasn’t any worse than Santos has been since the KC win. In general neither of them has proven to be reliable. If we continue to trot out a 4-4-2 (as we should), Tanner may need to search the market. Maybe McKenzie money will make it possible, not that I want them to rush a sale.
We have Corey Burke coming back (at some point).
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Also, any $ we get from transfers should be used to get ourselves a playmaker, which is what this team really needs.
Burke instantly displaces Wooten if/when he ever comes back. He probably challenges Santos for starting minutes.
AS soon as Santos came on the attack began to function more smoothly, IMO.
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I liked Curtin’s move, to rest Santos and bring him on after Red Bulls had had a chance to get more tired.
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I’ve always remembered what used to be said of Bobby Jones of the Sixers back in Dr. J’s time, it’s not who starts, it’s who’s on the court at the end when the game’s on the line.
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