Photo: Ron Soliman
The Philadelphia Union extended their win streak to two matches – handing 10th place Nashville SC their 6th straight loss on Saturday evening at Subaru Park.
The newly announced Nashvhille boss, BJ Callaghan, is still yet to officially join the club. The Union-turned-USMNT assistant’s run as head coach begins July 22nd prior to Nashville’s first Leagues Cup Match.
Philadelphia, on the other hand, came into the match fresh off their first victory in 10 matches, defeating the of New England Revolution on Wednesday night.
And aptly, Philadelphia were off and running early in style.
In the 10th minute, a very aesthetically pleasing build up between Gazdag, Uhre, and Sullivan down the right led to Sullivan finding Flach at the top of the box. Flach played a very nice pass to Gazdag in the penalty area who deftly chipped it over Joe Willis for his first on the night.
Not even the volume on Willis’s mustache was enough to get a whisker on the beautiful finish.
Gazdag continued to be active, attempting all sorts of magic around the penalty area to create chances. Minutes later, he came close to connecting with Baribo on a cheeky backheel.
He was clearly “feeling it” all night.
Nashville had their best chance of the half in the 24th minute, when Muyl sent a low cross in across the 6 yard box, that went through multiple bodies but ultimately untouched and out for a Union goal kick.
Ten minutes prior to the end of the first half, the Union had an Andre Blake scare.
Blake made a routine save off of a Nashville header where he jumped and extended his body. He sat, seemingly in pain, minutes later and was examined by Paul Rushing and medical staff. After a quick adjustment of his left leg, Blake was up with seemingly no issue.
It was forgotten moments later, as the crowd became elated when Gazdag’s second tally came in the ensuing sequence of play.
In similar fashion to the first goal, Sullivan found Uhre with his back to goal around the top of penalty area. Uhre turned and slipped Dani in who again finished it skillfully around Willis.
While the Union’s attack remained dangerous, their defense impressively shut down Nashville playmakers Jacob Shaffelburg and Hany Mukhtar. Between Mbaizo, Glesnes, Martinez, and Lowe, every single Nashville attack was snuffed out as quickly as it began in the first half.
Through the first frame, the Union defense held Nashville to .23 expected goals, and one shot on target.
Early in the second, Nashville had their best chance of the evening when they were able to get a header on frame to test Andre Blake. But he was up to the task, as he spectacularly dove to his left and parried it off a Nashville attacker and out for a goal kick.
A Union debut came in the 61st minute, when newcomer Sam Adeniran was subbed on for Mikael Uhre, on a yellow card. Jack Elliott also entered for Damion Lowe, who was also on a yellow. Ironically, Elliott’s first action was a crunching foul on Hany Mukhtar, earning him a yellow – a real lapse in judgement for a player like Elliott.
Nashville came close to scoring again in the 67th minute. This time off of a corner kick where a Josh Bauer header rang off the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, The Union had their best chance of the half. The ball fell for Jesus Bueno in the box off a Union counter, but the Venezuelan was denied by Willis in close.
In the 82nd minute, it was Andre Blake to the rescue once again – fully extending to his right to deny a Teal Bunbury blast. It was a really well worked move for Nashville, with Mukhtar chipping the ball in to Bunberry.
But it was the Union who would go out with a bang. Gazdag put home his third goal in the 90th minute off a Nashville FC gaffe in their own box. Dani stole the bacon and found twine – finishing off the natural hat-trick, the Union’s second hat-trick in as many games.
Adeniran, who was noticeable throughout his shift, was almost rewarded with a goal, when he had two chances around the top of the box in stoppage time.
The match would end 3-0 and the Union sent Nashville back to Music City in search of answers.
The Union will now head into the Leagues Cup break in unexpectedly spectacular fashion. The team will look to keep their great form in one week’s time, when they host Charlotte FC at Subaru Park at 8 pm to open up Leagues Cup play.
Three Points
- A strong first 45 – All around, a very strong first half from the Union. The attack was humming, generating two goals and all sorts of chances. And the defense really put in a shift, working noticeably hard to keep Nashville out of the dangerous areas in front of goal.
- A slightly less strong second 45 – Nashville were able to generate considerable chances in the second half. The team were thankful to have Blake back, as he made multiple huge saves to keep his team alive. The still did show glimpses of attacking play, but they did what they needed to do to see out the victory. Two in a row
- Dani boy – A natural hatty from Gazdag, of course, but he really did so much more. He was the Union’s most creative player on the night, playing with a noticeable swagger that is jolting this attack to life. He also was very active defensively, helping lead the line of the press.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake, Kai Wagner, Damion Lowe (Jack Elliott — 61′), Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo, Leon Flach (Jesus Bueno — 75′), Jose Martinez (Jeremy Rafanello — 87′), Quinn Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya — 75′), Daniel Gazdag, Tai Baribo, Mikael Uhre (Sam Adeniran — 61′)
Unused subs: Andrew Rick, Francis Westfield, Cavan Sullivan, Chris Donovan
Nashville SC
Joe Willis, Shaq Moor, Bauer, Taylor Washington (Joseph Skinner — 90′), Brent Kallman, Hany Mukhtar, Jacob Shaffelburg (Teal Bunbury — 71′), Alex Muyl (Daniel Lovitz — 71′), Tah Anunga (Anibal Godoy — 62′), Sean Davis (Amar Sejdic — 90′), Forster Ajago
Unused subs: Jack Maher, Eliot Panicco, Isaiah Jones
Scoring Summary
PHI: Daniel Gazdag — 10′
PHI: Daniel Gazdag — 38′
PHI: Daniel Gazdag — 90′
Discipline Summary
PHI: Damion Lowe — Yellow card (foul) 4′
PHI: Mikael Uhre — Yellow card (simulation) 20′
NSH: Alex Muyl — Yellow card (foul) 59′
PHI: Jack Elliott — Yellow card (foul) 61′
NSH: Josh Bauer — Yellow card (foul) 67′
NSH: Anibal Godoy — Yellow card (foul) 76′
Truly amazing to see the difference Blake makes on this team. He gives the back line confidence and freedoms, and it permeates the entire team. Rick and Semmle are good keepers, but Blake commands this team.
Said almost the same thing after the NE game. Team confidence, team defense calmness on the ball, decision making, transitions all much better with Martinez at the top of the Defense and Blake in goal.As Frank Castanza said I’m back baby, I’m back !”
Clearly true. Well said. The save he made in second half at 2-0 was OTHERWORLDLY and quite simply two weeks ago that’s a 2-1 game, confidence flags, Nashville ascends and we drop points as we’ve seen now for almost 4 months. Oh and hey… Jose seems focused as shit too.
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100% … Pragmatist.
There is still some worry for Blake given that the only long ball he was able to kick in the second half was with his left foot and Glesnes took at least one long goal kick.
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Fortunately now that the Union are on a roll, they have 5 weeks before playing another meaningful match (6 weeks for Lowe who is suspended for the Columbus game).
So salt lake’s player gets suspended for the all star game and 2 league’s cup but we lose Lowe for a game that matters. I hope that isn’t true.
I believe Arango’s was 2 regular season games, the all-star game and 1 league’s cup game. We don’t know exactly what he did beyond violate the anti-harassment policy (and remember that Wagner’s similar suspension was reduced from 3 games to 2 for good behavior).
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Lowe is yellow card accumulation. So really comparing apples and oranges but the former is definitely a bigger one and included 2 regular season games.
Martinez makes as much difference as Blake. If he is sold over the summer we can write off this season.
Martinez has made a positive difference these last two games, but he also had some poor turnovers.
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On the other hand, that save by Blake was out of this world.
Martinez was having his worst season until the CONMEBOL break. But he’s been fantastic for the last two games. When he’s at his best, yes, he’s massive. But when he’s off, he is a direct reason for their poor performance. As long as we get the best of him, yes, hems very important.
Martínez has had a very good two matches, but before that he had been waaaaay off his game this season.
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Also, that free header from Nashville off a corner that hit the crossbar? That was Martínez completely losing his man. Watch the replay.
You may think it’s Blake returning or you might think it’s Martinez or even Baribo getting playing time, but I’m telling you it’s because Jim has ditched those silly suits and returned to his game-winning casual wear.
Ha!
+1
Checkmate. You win.
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Spot on.
My wife said the same thing! I lobbied for Blake being the difference maker, but she was convinced it was the outfit change.
Bravo!
The first thing we checked after getting to our seats was whether Jim was wearing a suit!
Notably his subs were spot on as well.
Huh…. players are healed from injury, and back from international duty…. funny how the Union suddenly have depth again…. and are playing well. Once McGlynn and Harriel return, Curtin’s gonna have difficult decisions on playing time to make.
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Also, New england, and Nashville are not very good.
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Gazdag is not a “traditional number 10” and I don’t care. He’s the best “10” for how the Union play. And yes, he’s far better than BA was when he was here.
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The new #9 is a good fit. Donovan is gonna get a lot of minutes with U2 the rest of the season…..
Neither McGlynn or Harriel should play. Mbaizo was great on the night. Dangerous in attack and excellent defensively. Harriel has a tool shed but only one hammer. Mcglynn is great. For some other team. He is a poor fit for this formation and defensive black hole. Flach is a much better fit. Solid defense and a great assist on the night.
I’m going to simultaneously agree and disagree. I completely agree that Flach is a much better fit than McGlynn, but McGlynn is also one of those players the team is going to want to sell on and in order to do that, they are going to need to play him.
In the last month or so, Flach has suddenly gotten the memo that he needs to contribute to the offense. He’s been trying a lot more stuff. I’ve never seen him make a pass like the one he made to Gazdag for goal #1.
I think Mbaizo has these great nights here and there and has a higher ceiling, but still Harriel’s been more consistently good. My hope is Mbaizo strings a bunch of these games together then I agree with you, but til then I think I still like Harriel or a platoon when they’re both here.
Also – curious what the plan is with Flach’s contract up and McGlynn probably being sold…
Look. I don’t want to take anything away from the performances on the pitch, but… we’re winning because of me. I decided last Wednesday to try the chicken sandwich at the Wing Stop stand at the SOOB for the first time. It was delicious so I got it again tonight.
We won both games.
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Look. What I’m saying is that I am starting a Kickstarter to fund chicken sandwiches for the rest of the season. I’m calling it “The Union Win If I Eat.” I’ll send you all the link.
There’s a Wing Stop stand at Subaru Park?? Where??
Section 132
Wing Kitchen
My go to stand.
Well, on to Leagues Cup. They need to get out of the group and establish some players into the team. Bueno, C.Sullivan, Adeniran & Rafanello should all see some minutes before the season resumes.
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The BUGS are starting to develop the chemistry with Baribo and Gazdag scoring back to back hat-tricks,Uhre has had an assist in the last two games and Quinn Sullivan looks dangerous again. Time to grab more confirmed confidence with a decent run in the tournament.
The BUGS
+4
Glad to see everyone play well again.
Wish we could just practice until the season resumes, we have quite a run of opponents to finish out the regular season.
Fun week reminiscent of the past few seasons. They also look *fitter*. It took half a wasted season to get there thanks to indiscipline and disgruntled players.
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Leagues Cup offers more honing for the season remainder, 3 CCC slots, and a trophy. I hope they make the most of the opportunity.
They start winning with the addition of essentially three players. If there had been even a modest investment in the offseason to bring in even just two players at key positions for depth I wonder if we might be still contending closer to the top. Still pisses me off that they don’t have even that level of ambition. Regardless, good week for the U and the fans, congrats
“Not even the volume on Willis’s mustache was enough to get a whisker on the beautiful finish.”
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A very slow clap. Lovely.
+1
Congrats to the squad. There were moments in the first half where I thought, “This can’t be the same team we’ve been watching all year.”
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The sequence leading up to first goal, for example. Creative, decisive, confident, and ending with a professional finish.
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Well done.
On Adeniran…
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It’s a very small sample size, but he looked like a good fit.
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DEFENSE: I thought his commitment to defend and the positioning awareness was good and sustained. This included apply pressure backward toward Union’s own goal and dropping deep in defensive support where it was warranted, especially when Nashville was advancing fast and there was a gap to be filled as Union got a little stretched.) He also created some pressure that contributed to Nashville mistakes.
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OFFENSE: He positioned himself for some opportunities. For example, on Bueno’s second shot, a simple pass to Adeniran would have given him a perfectly clean look in the center of the box around 12 yards from goal.
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And the instant-reaction bouncing pass to him at the top of the box… yes, he put it over the bar, but that was a tough ball to hit as one-time finish. Even so, I was glad to see that he was bummed by the miss.
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An encouraging start.
+1
I’m going to keep this very simple.
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They could be on the turn and I caught myself feeling something I have t felt in awhile last night.
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A smile.
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Carry on boys. Belief is growing.
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As I have written elsewhere, “The boys are back, and looking for trouble!” (Thanks, Dropkick Murphys.) Last night’s environment was more hopeful than I expected, apparently due to Wednesday’s win, and there were several positives to take away. First, despite the unnecessary imbalance in referee issued discipline, there was a good aggression from the Union squad. (Jack Elliott continues with his unlucky season with an amazingly quick card.) As the balance of larger numbers starts to show itself, Gazdooooop gets his own hat trick, and demonstrates that he can work elsewhere than from the spot. Let’s hope that this game is the beginning of the team righting itself; there was even the beginning of a cohesive back line for the first time this year. I was glad to see it and we should see signs of the side that we have come to think is the Union. Good to see at long last.
Finally getting to read the match report. Really like how the boys played. Amazing the difference Blake makes as has been mentioned by many others. Adeniran looked very capable! The defense has made a comeback! I’ll tip my hat to the brick wall and human highlight reel that is Andre Blake! That save.. totally full stretch and strong hand to push the ball wide! That’s what we have been missing! Well along with the other players that were missing! On to the leagues cup money grab! I’ll steal Pachyderms saying… just play well!