photo: Marjorie Elzey
Anthony Fontana scored a brilliant flicked goal to secure all three points for the Union in New England on Monday night. The Union took the lead in the first half behind a poor Andrew Farrell own goal and Fontana doubled that lead with the game winner in the 69th minute.
Tajon Buchanan scored a fantastic goal in the 80th minute to pull New England close, but Andre Blake maintained the Union’s lead with a series of fantastic stops late in the second half.
Player Ratings
Andre Blake – 8
A man of the match performance with 7 saves, a number of which were of the highest quality. The save on Lee Nguyen’s free kick was perhaps his best of the season, which already features a few top drawer stops. But the big picture is that when the Union need Blake to make a save, he’s been there all season to do just that.
Ray Gaddis – 6
For a moment, in the 67th minute, it looks like Gaddis might tally his first MLS goal sent in on goal down the right side. But the defender scuffed the shot/cross and the chance went begging. Reliable defensively, it was a typical Gaddis-ian performance on the right side. Little flare, but solid one on one defending.
Jakob Glesnes – 6
Good night for Glesnes who was powerful in the air and won seemingly everything sent toward him. The defender also looks to be the most potent center back on Union free kicks. Six recoveries and three clearances on the evening.
Mark McKenzie – 6
Ten clearances and 5 recoveries for McKenzie, who had another consistent match. Came up with some clutch blocks throughout the match as well.
Kai Wagner – 6
Backed off Buchanan a bit too much allowing the New England man too much time and space to find his goal. But solid otherwise and a good night getting down the left side for Wagner, whose hard cross led the Union opener when it ricocheted in off Farrell.
Jack Elliott – 6
With the midfield a bit short, Elliott slotted in nicely as the holding midfielder on the night. While his passing was perhaps a little below what we’ve seen from Jose Martinez, it was decent and Elliott did well to maintain possession on the ball. Defensively, a strong performance limiting New England on the counter attack.
Brenden Aaronson – 6
Fantastic industry from Aaronson operating off the right side. Should have done better with his first half chance when Elliott found him the box. But a good performance harrying New England on the press and ran an impressive 7 miles in the match.
Jamiro Monteiro – 8
Arguably the best player on the field for much of the match (perhaps save for Blake in the second half). So reliable in possession and almost always picks the right pass. I’ve been critical of Monteiro’s presence in the final third and there is still a bit to be desired there, but box to box, the best field player on the turf last night in New England. Notched the assist on Fontana’s goal.
Anthony Fontana – 7
The kid scores goals. A quiet night for Fontana which saw him struggle to find the ball and make a mark on the game once again ends with a brilliant finish from the homegrown, perhaps his best goal of the season. The vision (and the audacity) to chip the goalkeeper from a tough angle shows the confidence that Fontana is playing with right now.
Sergio Santos – 5
Found little room behind the New England backline and struggled to get on the ball in meaningful places in 60 minutes of action.
Kacper Przybylko – 5
Struggled to get involved on the night. It’s now been 7 games since the friendly striker last tallied and the Union will look to get him going. Dropped deep into the midfield at times trying to get touches, but clearly not the best role for the big striker.
Subs
Ilsinho – 6
Got on the ball and helped the Union find better possession after coming on at the hour mark. Faded as New England grew into the match.
Andrew Wooten – 4
Perhaps a little slow chasing back in helping slow down Buchanan on the New England goal, but another night where he was hardly noticeable on the pitch.
Cory Burke – 4
Looked off the pace in his first game back with the Union in over a year.
Matt Real – n/a
Late cameo for Real.
Man of the Match – Andre Blake
Seven saves for Blake who won the game for the Union with his second half heroics. His save on Nguyen was one the finest of his career thus far.
Geiger Counter
Rubiel Vazquez – 2
What the hell was a foul in that match? I had no idea. Vazquez had no idea. Superbly inconsistent all night, which clearly frustrated both sides.
No complaints here. Monteiro has really stepped up, and Blake’s resurgence is the biggest reason I think this year’s team is so much better than last year. And Martinez over Medunjanin at the 6, as much as I liked Haris.
Blake was so good against New England I’m not sure eight is enough. The Lee Nguyen save was the kind that no one could have blamed him if he missed.
I’m going to disagree on the Monteiro rating (as well as your comment on Wagner). Wagner was forced to back off as he was trying to guard two players at once, both Buchanan and the player to his outside. Wooten is criticized for not getting back but he is a forward. I think that was more Monteiro’s responsibility to get back and help out Wagner and he was too late.
+1
I would add the following to comment on Gaddis.
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Integrates better into the offensive patterns with his mates in the right side channel than do the alternatives. Better timing, better spacing, better production is the final result.
Agreed, especially with Bedoya. The Gaddis/Bedoya combo has been missed on the right side offense. It will be good to have them both back against TFC.
A solid, unspectacular game for all players. I’m curious to the high rating for Jamiro. If Elliott was the top of the diamond, Fontana had to be the point. This means Monteiro was the left and hung Wagner out to dry all night. Buchanan’s goal was pretty but needed to be defended at the 35. Elliott was a bit slow in moving the ball. Kasper is playing too much defense. This game showed the value of Bedoya, Martinez (who has one hard foul at the right time and this game needed one), and Gaddis (who was shoved when he went to shoot yet no foul – the 2 for the ref is generous). A healthy starting 11 going into the playoffs and we have a good chance to win it.
I dread the day when Andre Blake is no longer the Union’s goalkeeper
Man of the match, for sure.
I thought Aaronson was offside on the “scuff” shot so it wouldn’t have mattered.
If you stop the clip, you’ll see two Revs players on the left handside of the 18 yard box making him onside when the ball is played, with the linesman directly behind them watching.