Photo: Marjorie Elzey
It was another great outing for the Philadelphia Union at home against Toronto FC, winning 3-0 on Wednesday night in Chester. Philadelphia snapped their bad form woes and turned in one of their best outings of the season so far. Toronto came into the match on a 5 game unbeaten streak, which included a win over eastern conference leaders New England.
On to the ratings.
Player Ratings
Andre Blake – 7
A good night back for Blake in the Philadelphia goal, saving the penalty at the start of the second half to keep the clean sheet. Other than that, he wasn’t tested much by Toronto. Strong on coming out and claiming corners as well.
Olivier Mbazio – 6
Linked well with the attack and Alejandro Bedoya on the right, much better than in previous matches. Picked up a needless yellow card near the end of the match, which puts him one away from suspension.
Jakob Glesnes – 8
The man from Norway didn’t score from 40 yards this time, but did score with the back of his head for the first goal on a 180 degree header. Didn’t have many defensive issues and helped keep a much needed clean sheet.
Jack Elliott – 7
Another strong outing for Elliott, who made some timely interceptions and blocks throughout the match. Played some great line breaking passes to set up chances. Gave away a soft penalty to put the clean sheet in jeopardy though.
Kai Wagner – 7
Wagner seemed much more involved in the attack than in previous games, continuing to get up in the final third even in the late stages. Toronto didn’t really test his side of the field, rather opting for the right of the Union back line.
Leon Flach – 7
Flach brought good energy from the get-go, and was effective in the press helping to create turnovers. Should have gotten an assist on the night with his drag-back pass to Santos, which was blocked away.
Alejandro Bedoya – 6
A classic outing from the captain, who looked more energized than in recent matches. Combined well with Mbazio and Gazdag in the final third, didn’t play many dangerous balls in or have any good looks at goal though.
Daniel Gazdag – 8
Gazdag has the monkey off his back with his first Union goal coming from the penalty spot in the first half. Assisted Glesnes’ goal from the corner as well, and probably deserved another goal in the first half.
Jose Martinez – 7
A good outing for El Brujo, who stayed out of the referees book and sprung Santos for the penalty kick. Vital in possession and helping switch the point of attack for Philadelphia.
Kacper Przybylko – 5
Was getting into good spots, but just couldn’t find the finish. Had a great header saved in the first half, then moments later put a tap in just over the bar. Attracted the defense to open space for Santos.
Sergio Santos – 8
Another great outing for Santos coming off of his suspension. The Brazilian was showing off his speed and his skills early and often, drawing the penalty kick and then burying a breakaway for the third goal. Starting to find a groove and linking well with Gazdag.
Subs
Quinn Sullivan – 5
Not much for Sullivan to do coming into a 3-0 game with 15 minutes left. Kept possession and saw the game out.
Paxten Aaronson – 5
The exact same as Sullivan, but did create some half chances in his brief minutes with Burke and McGlynn.
Cory Burke – 6
Had a good look at goal in his 35 minute spell, which got blocked by Kacper Przybylko. Had a few nice combos later in the match but couldn’t get shots away.
Jack McGlynn – N/A
Not a whole lot for McGlynn for his brief stint coming on in the 85th minute. Strung passes together and helped spread the attack.
Player of the Match – Sergio Santos
It could go to many deserving players, but Santos brought the flair Wednesday night. Nice combos and skills at the top of the box, drawing the penalty from Alex Bono and putting away a breakaway makes him an easy choice.
Geiger Counter
Ted Unkel- 3
Got the Philadelphia penalty correct and that was about it. Got the Toronto penalty wrong, and didn’t even look at it on VAR. Let Nick DeLeon go unpunished for a bad tackle on Flach, then gave Mbazio yellow for a much less egregious foul moments later.
High scores all around. They earned the marks.
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At this point, it seems to me Kasper P and Daniel G are struggling with chemistry. That is going to have to resolve if we are going to see anything resembling Championship level soccer.
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I also appreciate Glesnes getting a ratings nod for the goal (which was much much needed)…
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…in truth, however, Jack Elliot was the better player last night and is the absolute backbone of the defense.
Agree with your point about Elliot. He is one of the top two or three players almost every game, a lot like McKenzie last year.
Hard to say Elliot gave away the penalty kick when he was the one fouled but, as usual, Unkel was completely incompetent. Score for Unkel is too high by at least 2 points. He couldn’t ref when he was in the WPS and he hasn’t shown any ability in MLS.
Quite agree Andy,
Look at it again Sean, and you may have another opinion on your statement, “ Gave away a soft penalty to put the clean sheet in jeopardy though.”
If the Disciplinary Committee do their job properly, Laryea should be fined accordingly.
Unkel should have been given a grey Toronto shirt at the end of the game.
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So… it seems like there is something wrong with this team… how can they turn it on in the first half… but then be flat as they were against the FLA squads?
And sorry but Aaronson looks microscopic compared and on that field of men!
Also anyone drawing the Nogueira = Monteriro conclusion?
Or how ’bout Dockal?
Home sick? Really? 3 of the Union’s best players over the 12 year history, all 3 international level competitors, all professionals… just wanna go home???
Cheesesteaks not agree?
Maybe it’s being located in Chester and not Philly?
I know… its Fang. A SNAKE WITH ARMS AND LEGS!!!! (Isn’t that a salamander?)
NO, THAT’S NOT IT.
What IS it?
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SQUAD BEHIND THE SCENES???
Anyone, anyone… Buehler, Buehler?
Herr Tanner, that is the question.
BTW Toronto truly is a terrible team. No wonder Varney left as fast as he could last season. And like Miami we played down to their level in 2nd half.
you bring up a good point about the team’s key player homesickness departure. it’s an unfortunate history. i believe we are a better team to cope with it as last night proved.
I believe that’s something we in the biz call . . . a coincidence.
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All three men had different reasons for wanting to leave, and none have given those reasons explicitly, so all we’re left with is speculation.
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For me, all three served the jersey with distinction and should be remembered as the if the best ever Union players. And, for what it’s worth, none have ever had anything bad to say about Philly or their time with the Union.
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If you’re interested in a thought experiment, though, imagine what a midfield with all three in it might have produced!
“…should be remembered as _three of_ the best ever Union players.”
GOOD THOUGHT EXERCISE. HAVE A BIG SMILE IMAGINING. THANKS FOR THAT.
I think a HUGE unspoken point is Curtin. He learned on the job, and made huge blunders during that ‘process’… and 3 GMs. Erie was.always a place holder.for his current role… but under Nick, it was terrible.
I remember ‘blogging back then… “In Ernie we trust, Curtin not so much”… and Jim actually reached out to me thru Facebpok to ‘talk.
Coach of the Year is interesting. Had he.continued in his insane formation..
4-1-2-1-2 pr whatever, NO way would we have progressed as we have. Herr Tanner’s insistence in a 4-4-2 was what changed everything.
How close is Martinez to being out of yellow card jeopardy? It’s gotta be close now. I think he deserves a lot of credit for changing his playstyle while still being effective.
El Brujo should get an 8. He assisted on Santos’ Goal, as well as having the pass that spring the penalty.
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As to players being homesick. It’s all coincidence. Noguiera was suffering from depression/a mental health issue. Dockal just wanted to go home before retiring. Can’t blame players for wanting to be with their children.
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One last thing, if you look around the football world outside of the US, it’s more common for players to move to a new team/challenge every 2-3 years than it is to find players who stick with a club long term or their entire career.
We don’t know anything for sure about Nogs so speculating about mental health isn’t useful, but Dockal came to Philly to get out of a bad situation in China, same with Monteiro to get out of one in Metz (and then both just wanted to go home after that) and Barnetta wanted to retire with his boyhood club.
He left for Personal Health Reasons, and then signed for a new team a week later.
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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2016/6/16/11957852/philadelphia-union-vincent-nogueira-mutually-part-ways
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One year players are not that big of a deal. With the academy, these signings can be a bridge to young players. They help fill the gap until the kids are ready for bigger roles.
in the first half Toronto played with three center backs and two wingbacks, trying to do to the Union what others have done with that shape.
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But to my eyes they did three things wrong. 1. the wingbacks stayed totally wide simultaneously opening space in the middle. 2. The General Sherman California Redwood tree was more mobile and effective defensively than Jozy Altidore. 3. Michael Bradley can no longer dominate the central channel by himself in front of the center backs in zone 14.
El Brujo took them apart with his passing in the first half. The through ball to Santos was the best, but by far not the only one.
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The switched to a 4-2-3-1 in the second half, and were defending the Union much better until Blake saved the PK. That took the air out of them.
Great observations, I agree. Brujo bossed this game.
Yes. And the team’s defensive work rate was higher with a higher line, and they didn’t hit as many aimless passes for no reason.