Photo credit: Ron Soliman
Despite a quick turnaround, the Philadelphia Union extended their win streak to 2 at home against Nashville SC on Saturday night. Following a dynamic performance on Wednesday that resulted in a 5-1 win, the Boys in Blue kept the energy up for their last game leading into a months long break due to Leagues Cup.
Without further ado, the ratings….
Starting XI:
Andre Blake – 8.5
His second game back and already a clean sheet? Even if Andre Blake is still shaking off the rust, it’s clear to see just how much his return his bolstered team spirit. A couple of amazing saves throughout the game, especially in the 49′ and 84′, and suddenly, soccer is fun again.
Kai Wagner – 7
A solid performance from Wagner, complete with great challenges, especially as the game opened up later on in the second half.
Damion Lowe – 6
A couple of great defensive headers when everyone was in the box, but grr that early yellow tendency just can’t be shaken, huh?
Jakob Glesnes – 7
A consistent, stable performance by the Union’s Rocketman. After the stretch he’s had, I’ll take it over anything flashy.
Olivier Mbaizo – 9
What a game. The caliber of defending Mbaizo showed was pivotal in throwing Shaffelberg off his stride and rendering him essentially non-existent. Not sure what a 10 looks like for me, but in all honesty, this gets pretty close without watching tape 100 times trying to scutinize.
Jose Martinez – 7.5
As dynamic as he has been since his Copa America return. A couple of giveaways throughout the game, but he worked hard to get them back.
Leon Flach – 7
Shoutout to Leon for the assist to Dani on his first goal of the night. Much more active in the offense than I’ve noticed him being lately.
Quinn Sullivan – 8
Didn’t get another goal, but a night full of great movement and touches by the elder Sullivan to break free and get the ball downfield throughout the game. Credit him with a couple of secondary assists on the Union’s goals.
Daniel Gazdag – 10
12th, 13th, and 14th goals of the season in one night? Gazdag heard the remarks he could only score from the spot and he’s taken offense.
Tai Baribo – 8.5
Nothing flashy like the Wednesday night game where Baribo scored his own hat trick, but his presence on the field is a game changer.
Mikael Uhre – 7
Uhre had a couple of chances to get a goal or two of his own, but was unable to finish. While people might get frustrated at his inability to score goals, and rightfully so given his DP status and his paycheck, I don’t think a goal-scoring machine Uhre fits in exactly with Jim Curtin’s plans.
Substitutes:
Jack Elliott – 6
Same as Lowe, a couple of great defensive stands, especially in the 66′, but the immediate yellow card puts a damper on things.
Sam Adeniran – 7
For only having had 2 training sessions with the team, I thought Adeniran performed above expectations. As he gets to know his teammates and the system, expect him to become a threat.
Jesus Bueno – N/A
Alejandro Bedoya – 6.5
Cappy stopped a couple of half chances by Nashville late in the second half, but when he had the chance to take a shot, he opted for an extra pass to Bueno and ruined momentum. It’s one thing to not have chances, it’s another to not take them.
Jeremy Rafanello – N/A
Geiger Counter:
Chris Penso – 8
Penso wasn’t taking sass from anyone, and I kinda loved it.
Player of the Match: Daniel Gazdag
It’s obvious, isn’t it? Honorable mention to Mbaizo, however, for his part in keeping this win a clean sheet.
You gave an N/A to the one player who I wanted to comment on. I would put Jesus Bueno at a 3.5 or 4. When he first came in, he was replacing Leon Flach on the left side of the diamond. Unfortunately, he spent very little time on the left side of the field, frequently drifting to the center or even the right. This also happened when he played that position against Charlotte and there it ended up costing the Union a goal when he wasn’t able to back Wagner up when Wagner went forward.
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Fortunately this time the Union had the lead so Wagner was able to refrain from getting too high up knowing he was lacking a backup. So I would probably boost Wagner up by .5 for recognizing that.
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Once Martinez left and Bueno shifted to the base of the diamond he was much better placed positionally.
+1.
He also had two legit chances on goal and converted neither.
Even if he had scored on one or both of those, I would still downgrade him for his positional play, especially since it’s not the first time.
To be fair on one he was denied by a great reaching save.
Uhre is not a seven on his best day, which must have happened long before he came to the Union
prob true – but that was a sweet pass!