Photo: Stephen Speer
Only the most hardened (see: frozen) of Union fans braved the sub-freezing temperatures and whipping wind Saturday night to witness their hometown Boys in Blue give Jim Curtin his 100th Major League Soccer victory, as they defeated San Jose Earthquakes 2-0.
First Half
The Union played the first half going into the wind.
The game’s first chances came in the 4th minute on a well played cross from Cristian Espinoza of San Jose on one end and a through ball from Kai Wagner to Sergio Santos on the other. In both cases, the respective defenses stood strong and the chances were snuffed out.
Defense was the theme of the match as well, with the Union pressing the entire field of play and the Quakes running their trademark man-marking scheme, often underneath a three-quarter field defensive shell.
In the 14th minute, the Union’s press forced an excellent turnover with Nate Harriel on the front foot. He dribbled by the first man and played Santos at the top of the box, who dummied to Daniel Gazdag – the midfielder returned the ball to the Brazilian – but the resulting shot was deflected high.
More pressure in the 18th minute from Cory Burke put the Union in the final third with San Jose scrambling. Once again, the visitor’s defense regrouped and forced a corner. The ensuing set piece was headed to the far post by Harriel and brilliantly saved by Marcinkoski (who had a truly solid match), while the loose opportunity afterward was crossed high and wide by the Union right back.
In the 23rd minute, the Union finally unlocked San Jose persistent pressure. It was Santos on the wing, out-muscling and out-running a helpless Jackson Yueill. After beating his man, a clever trailing run from Burke left him alone at the spot – Santos’s pass didn’t miss and the hosts had a lead.
In the 30th minute, Santos should have doubled it. He won the ball high and it fell to Gazdag’s feet, who played him immediately through. Though the Boys had numbers and the striker a free run at the keeper, his right foot failed him. Just a moment later, the Union were through again – this time by a Kai Wagner header and Santos cross. Gazdag’s first touch was a bit heavy and Marcinowski stepped up and took the ball off his foot.
Santos got himself another half chance in the 39th minute, sliding wide as the Union pressed on the field’s other side. He was a bit out of position by the time the turned-over ball found him and his shot was wanting.
The first half was nothing if not chaotic, with both team’s pressure causing the other into poor touches, open space, and end to end soccer. The Union had half dozen half chances but only one goal – and plenty of room for improvement.
Second Half
Though they had the wind and the lead, the Union nearly conceded an equalizer in the half’s first minute. Only a heads up recovery run from Wagner cut out a Quakes’s cross before it could be buried in the net. A minute later, another San Jose chance was deflected over, the ball bouncing through a line of lunging – but not fouling – Boys in Blue.
A selfless recovery and win from Martinez put the ball on the foot of Glesnes in the 53rd minute. He split the visiting lines and found Gazdag in a 3 v 2. It was Burke who received the ball on the right but his first touch took him wide – his cross died at the foot of the defense.
The Union were missing their opportunities left and right until the 56th minute when San Jose gifted them a golden one: a penalty. After the ball clearly struck the outstretched arm of a Quakes defender, Gazdag stepped to the spot in front of the River End and coolly chipped a panenka into the back of the net.
It was a calm, collected, and truly audacious finish, his second in as many games – each one beguiling in its own way.
In the 67th minute, goal-scorer Burke determined he couldn’t go on. He’d been down several times already on the night but finally had enough and was replaced by Paxten Aaronson in a reformed 4-3-2-1. Just moments later, Gazdag was in on goal again after some true hustle from Santos. Gazdag’s first touch caught him flat though and the ball popped up. He leapt for it to try and salvage the chance but was punched in the scrum by the San Jose keeper for his efforts.
The game kept getting chippy as San Jose didn’t give up. A decent chance in the box around the 82nd minute was cleared by the Union, but not before pin-balling into several dangerous spots. Just a few moments later, the Union looked like they were in again but the chance was wasted by a bevy of poor touches – not to mention the flag was up.
The Union upped their intensity in the final few minutes, their press line higher and their commitment to challenges renewed. They weren’t going to let the game slip away. A break in the 88th minute had the hallmarks of a coffin nail but was again undone by a poor touch with the final ball – same goes for the 97th minute chance off of some great Aaronson defense, but again Santos was too wide for a good look.
Like most early season games, the Union’s defense was locked in but the offense still needed time to settle. It didn’t matter, they dominated their visitors and took the game’s full spoils.
Three points
- No Mikael Uhre? His first match was strange but tantalizing and fans were looking forward to his home debut. Despite the weather feeling like home for the Dane, his name wasn’t on the team sheet because of what was described as “quad tightness.” Though the Union attackers were menacing, they could’ve used a pair of shooting boots and the final might have been 6-0.
- Jose Martinez was everywhere on both sides of the ball for the Union, connecting the lines, snuffing out several of San Jose’s training ground set pieces, and generally neutralizing the visitor’s creative players. He wasn’t perfect, but given the Union’s tendency to go vertical, often times it looks like the Venezuelan is the only link between the back line and the attack. He’s relishing that opportunity.
- Olivier Mbaizo reportedly had a good week of practice. No matter – Nate Harriel had himself a second very good game in a row under unusual circumstances. He’s already above Mbaizo in the attack, playing to his strengths and keeping things simple. On defense he’s above him too, jumping pass lanes, holding his ground, and linking with teammates – all while still learning. Don’t expect to see Mbaizo in the XI any time soon.
Lineups
Philadelphia – Blake, Harriel, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner, Bedoya, Martinez, Flach (Real, 90′), Gazdag (Sullivan, 82′), Burke (Aaronson, 68′), Santos, SUBS – Bueno, Turner, Mbaizo, Freese, Craig, McGlynn
San Jose – Marcinkowiski, Lopez (Tsakiris, 77′), Calvo, Yueill, Marie (Richmond, 68′), Remedi, Gregus, Espinoza (Thompson, 86′), Kikanovic (Bouda, 68′), Lopez, Ebobisse, SUBS – Judson, Beason, Argon, Bersano
Scoring Summary
PHI: Burke – 23′
PHI: Gazdag – 58′
Discipline
SJ: Espinoza – 11′ (foul)
SJ: Remedi – 24′ (dissent)
PHI: Santos – 27′ (foul)
PHI: Gazdag – 43′ (kicking the ball after the whistle)
PHI: Harriel – 62′ (foul)
SJ: Bouda – 90+2 (foul)
Remembered this story while watching the game tonight.
When we were on JV soccer, we had a buddy who was certain he was going to make the Varsity football team. He found out late in the summer that this would not be the case for him, and so we managed to convince him to come play soccer.
He was bigger, faster and stronger than all of us. He ran around like a wild man until he either lost the ball, fouled someone, or sent a shot wildly behind/over the goal and well off the property. None of this phased him, he just smiled and laughed to himself whenever it happened.
Eventually, he did come to realize that football was more his thing and he disappeared from high school soccer.
As I remembered the story, I couldn’t quite remember all the details so I text a buddy for some clarification.—-
“Hey, what was that kids name who quit football and played jv soccer with us?”
“Sergio Santos”
I realize the weather wasn’t so good this afternoon, but they really need to stop scheduling early season night games if they want to get decent crowds. On the other hand, it was really easy to get out of the parking lot after the game.
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Several good results elsewhere put the Union up to second (n goal differential) pending the Dead Bull game tomorrow.
I think this is an aberration due to the World Cup this year. Hopefully this game and New England’s dissuade MLS from a shift in seasons…
They’ve started in early March for several years, excluding the delay last year due to COVID. 2020 started the weekend of February 29.
I’ll take exception to comments on poor touches. The pitch was SLOW as should have been expected. The players, on both sides, had balls “dying” on them. Sitting there, the pitch played like the grass was too long. Fortunately the Union figured it out in the 2nd half and San Jose couldn’t.
I’ll go out on a limb and say they actually looked coordinated and dangerous. Not sure why Gazdag came off, but I’ll go with it. I’m not sure what to say about Burke tonight. He scored, hustled, played through injury, but just looked “off.”
Holy shit that was cold…thank god we won that game….and one more thing..5 years ago I wanted jim the hell out of here, but man, he’s come a long way in my mind..I rip him when I think its necessary, but what the hell do I know, the man has 100 MLS wins and seems to be getting better..congrats and keep it up
Definitely glad they stuck with Curtin and let him grow as a coach rather than keep with the revolving door it looked like they might get into for the first 4.5 seasons.
4.5 seasons corresponds, at least roughly, to the time it took Jay Sugarman to learn the basics of running a soccer team.
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Nick Sakeiwicz built a good stadium for us, and then we had to wait for his contract to expire while Sugarman learned to walk in soccer terms.
A workman-like effort tonight. Not “the beautiful game,” for sure, but the Union are the better team and they were really never threatened, in my opinion.
I was excited to see Santos and Burke together up top. They did offer significant pressure in the first 20 minutes, but after that seemed to spend more time on the ground looking for the ref’s whistle, sometimes justified, sometimes not. In any case, I think the result is that Uhre and Carranza don’t have to fear for their starting positions.
It is such a luxury to have the GK and back four that the Union roll out each game. I take Blake for granted more than I should. And, Harriell looks to be the right compliment to Glesnes, Elliott and Wagner. This is a great foundation for the rest of the season.
I think the midfield still has room to grow. Martinez is indispensable for this team right now. I’m a big Gazdag fan, but the team needs him to boss the game more often, as he disappears at stretches. And, does Bedoya need to play 90 minutes every game? I think Jim needs to find more minutes for Aaronson, Sullivan, McGlynn, and those minutes need to come from Bedoya and Flach.
Take the three points, now go home and thaw out. But, the level of play will need to improve as the more talented opponents start to show up on the schedule.
It will forever be a challenge to me… Union employ a model that cedes 69% of possession on it’s home turf. Despite this they had 6 shots on target compared to SJ 1.
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Final score 2-0.
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I remember growing up in the early days of tech and my computer screen going black with two words: FATAL ERROR on the screen when it c or old not compute. It just doesn’t computer for me.
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There are times when I can deal and other times when the constant ping ponging of the ball off Union feet is more then I can bare. SJ tried to play the game. We had no intention. This is one of those times when reconciling is difficult. I acquiesce.
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Whatever. Their model / style / strategy has become nearly indisputable. But it is not at all aesthetic.
according to clause 12, subsection 3 of Sergio Santos contract, ” clutching at ankle and writhing in pain shall be awarded with a $175 bonus.”
Last night, the fans should have been given that bonus since all those “injuries” led to 12 minutes of stoppage time (4 in 1st half, 8 in second) that most of us would have been perfectly content not to have to sit through.
I did notice the ref choose not to add any stoppage time to the announced 8 minutes at the end of the second half, when he would have been justified in doing so for the extra time injuries.
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I suspect he judged that there was no point.
When the Union went up 2-0, I told my wife that I really hope they get a 3rd so the ref wouldn’t need to add a lot of stoppage time. Unfortunately, they couldn’t do it.
1) Though it was not the coldest sporting event I ever attended in Philadelphia, it was extremely cold and conditions were difficult. Kudos to the fans who were there, especially the SOBs. I saw a lot of fans bail after the 1st half.
2) I felt badly for Ilsinho, who was rightly honored by the Union before the game. I am guessing it was considerably warmer in Brazil. Though he lacked foot speed, he certainly has been the Union player with the best ball skills, ever. We need a Samba Night at the park to honor him again in better weather.
3) Though I did not have a very good angle from where I was sitting (behind the play), it looked like there was a DOGSO on Santos in the first half.
4) In the second half, after Cory Burke muffed the ball at his own feet on a two on one break, one of the season ticket holders around me remarked, “We are looking for improvement there.” I replied, “It is not going to come–he has no ball skills.” Cory Burke has good speed, heads the ball well and is super physical, but he simply is not good with the ball at his feet, and I am quite sure that will not change–ever.
5) SJ’s possession in the center of the field was mostly meaningless. The Union forced the ball to the sides and overplayed, daring SJ to try to switch, and SJ were inept at doing so. In part, this was because every ball in the air was an adventure for both sides.
6) From my seat, the second half hand ball on SJ was obvious–I didn’t understand why there was such a long VAR review. I think that the VAR team must have had the same reaction as I did in seeing it in real time–disbelief that a professional would stick out his arm like a 7 year-old in the box.
7) Harriel had a very good night at right back. In the first half, SJ tested him a lot and only once did his man get past him, but his mates covered for him successfully.
8) Once again, the officiating was random and poor. The yellow card on Santos was particularly galling because it should have been obvious that his barging into the SJ player, though it was forceful, was either because he was previously pushed (which he obviously was) or that he slipped on the turf. Yes, it was a foul, but not a cardable offense. There was lots of pushing by both sides, some of which was called and some of which wasn’t. The mark of excellent officiating is consistency, which was sorely lacking.
9) I agree with those who think that most nights, especially with 5 subs, Bedoya should come off at the 60th minute. He is a warrior and an inspirational leader, but his lack of speed is a liability, especially as he tires. Let’s both conserve his energy for the long season and let the kids come in to get some playing time. I think that’s win-win.
10) This was a good professional win at home against a sub-par team (Monteiro would have helped them, though.). Sorry SJ, no playoffs for you!
There was an arguable foul on the U in the box a few seconds before the hand ball. I presume that’s what the VAR was for.
The use of the route 1 lump-a-ball is driving me nuts. But it led to most of the chances. SJ had most of the possession but it was mostly back passes and knocking back and forth. It was not dangerous. Harriel is miles better than M’baizo. Really wish the U would play a better build up game. Maybe its coming?
On a separate thought…did Monterio get a red card to avoid coming back? I know its a silly thought but he get a straight red.
No, the red he received was really soft.
I said it on another thread. I watched the replay, and if he was still with the U and got that card, we’d all be salty AF.
Just watched the replay of the game and was reminded of a couple of weird things. It took both teams 2-3 extra minutes to come out of the locker room at halftime (more time for us to sit in the stands and enjoy the weather). Instead of coming out from behind the River End goal after halftime, both teams and the officials came out by the corner where the Supporters Gate is.
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I don’t recall a situation like happened with the Quinn Sullivan substitution where Santos’ number was posted, Sergio started to jog off the field, and then the 4th official changed it to Gazdag’s number.
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All in all, it was something of a strange night.
My seats are in section 139 right next to the supporters gate, I come in that way every game and get to my seat walking straight up the steps that are next to section 140…What I was told the most by people was that the other area was really icy, not sure if maybe they pushed all the snow from the field to that spot or what but it was a pain in the ass..at the end of the game a lot of my section and all of 140 clapped Jim off the field but then couldn’t leave until all the team’s personnel and officials left..it was probably only another 5 or 10 mins but my toes thought it was much longer
I sit below the scoreboard and was there yesterday. I am not sure what you mean by the wind being against the Union in the first and with them in the second. The wind was nuts yesterday but the only direction it was not blowing was west to east. The way it was coming off the river and through the stadium meant that the biggest gusts were going N/NW/W. It was much easier to clear the ball and drop things behind for the team moving east to west—that’s why the Union had better luck with dropping it over the top in the first half and clearances / Blake’s balls out of the back were scarier in the second half.
If you were below the scoreboard, you were protected from the worst of the wind, it was coming from that end of the stadium. I was at midfield on the side opposite the benches and the wind blowing in my face was much stronger when I faced toward the scoreboard end compared to when I was facing the river end.
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Part of the problem was that the prevailing wind was coming from the northwest (at least that’s what the hourly forecast was calling for pregame) while we were also getting wind off the river which created somewhat of a swirl.
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Blake’s clearances in the first half were line drives to try and avoid the strongest winds whereas in the second half he was kicking high balls in hope of getting extra carry (which didn’t really work).
Coldest game in franchise history?
Sure felt like it and I was sitting in The Great Section # 114, hardly any wind.
Hey MLS…. please go back to starting in April, and Wed night games… Reduce the length of the season by 6 weeks.
Or at least schedule games in March ‘down south’.
Yea, Carlos Gil is a whiner… And when he comes to Chester make him hear it… but fan’s have every right to complain. Sitting in that wind Sat night sure was ridiculous when Sunday was a beautiful day.
CLOWN Garber just doesn’t care about the fans. Period.
The fact that they scheduled an afternoon game this weekend between LAFC and Miami kinda shows that its all about the TV.
It looked like the ball hung up a lot more in the first half than the second. Mind you, that was on TV but it really affected the trajectory.
Great article. Thanks.
A win is a win. Good start to the season by the Doopers!
Wagner has been outstanding.
Funny to watch a youtube clip of Carles Gil complaining about playing in snow! What did you expect when you took a job in New England, dude, when sometimes you are going to be outside in March.
Too many divas in men’s soccer. I prefer the women’s game. Tobin Heath is THE player.
But PU won, and we are tied for first. So, adelante pues! Doop!
Cold is just cold.
I miss Dockal and Medunjanin, the classiest mids the U ever had. But we could really do well with Heath.
Was thinking that when New England comes to town in July we should all ask Gil if it’s too hot for him and if he wants the game cancelled.
Everyone wear ski parkas, hats and gloves that day… and get SOBs to have piles of fake plastic snow along the River End… Tifo reflecting similar sentiments that day.
look no one is going to talk about the kids they were so cute the girls and boys were jumping and the way the players gave the girls there sweater SO CUTE
Burke had a divinely weighted pass to Flach that would’ve been an xg if it was anticipated
A win is a win, by my God, can we talk about the ref? What game was he calling? No consistency whatsoever. How does Sergio get a yellow for being tripped and pushed?