Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union returned home to Subaru Park to face D.C. United on Sunday night, winning 4-0 as Daniel Gazdag scored a brace and Quinn Sullivan creating his 10th assist of the season.
Early in the first half, forward Mikael Uhre and midfielder Daniel Gazdag opened the scoring just minutes apart to give the Union a 2-0 lead. In the second half, forward Tai Baribo added another goal for the Union, bringing the score to 3-0. Midfielder Daniel Gazdag scored his second goal of the match for the Union bringing the final score to 4-0. Goalkeeper Andre Blake picked up a clean sheet, racking up five saves and securing all three points at home.
How easy was this win? Sullivan the younger was given enough time late in the game to make a couple of handsomely clinical passes.
Three Points:
1. Right now, DCU is an objectively bad team. The only statistic where they had a clear lead was in fouls, where they led 25 to 12.
2. Great to have Andre Blake in goal again, because he was needed in key situations.
3. Uhre, Gazdag, Baribo and Sullivan the elder are on fire.
3+. Two points clear of Montreal for the ninth and last playoff spot – Dare we have hope that this is a team rounding into form to make a late run at the only Cup that ever really mattered?
Scoring Summary:
13′ Goal by Uhre, Assist by Q. Sullivan
16′ Goal by Gazdag
51′ Goal by Baribo, Assist by Q. Sullivan
69′ Goal by Gazdag, Assist by Baribo
The Union are back at Subaru Park to play Atlanta United FC (winless in 4 out of their last 5 matches) on Saturday, September 28 (7:30 p.m. ET/ Apple TV).
Crazy thought, but I think as an overall group Gazdag, Baribo Uhre is a more effective unit than Gazdag, Uhre Carranza. They just compliment each other better. The front of the field has a bright future
Carranza, Uhre, and Gazdag were this effective the first year they were together. Over the subsequent offseason, there teams figured out how to disrupt them.
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The same may happen in 2025.
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Meanwhile let us enjoy it while we can.
I agree! The score could have easily been 6-0 if a few shots were better placed. I sit in section 131 so I had a great view of Baribo’s goal and it was a thing of beauty. I also think Quinn Sullivan was a terror that could not be stopped by DC. He and Harriel were very affective on the right side. The defense, especially Glesnas (and of course Blake), successful contained Benteke and the DC offense. Great game overall.
I agree with the Chopper! The score could have easily been 6-0 if a few shots were better placed. I sit in section 131 so I had a great view of Baribo’s goal and it was a thing of beauty. I also think Quinn Sullivan was a terror that could not be stopped by DC. He and Harriel were very affective on the right side. The defense, especially Glesnas (and of course Blake), successful contained Benteke and the DC offense. Great game overall.
It’s a mirage. Whacking the San Joses of MLS to get in the playoffs, then one and done getting destroyed by Miami or whoever. Only a validation of how management screwed us all this season. No.
I knew I’d find this comment here. Right on schedule.
Always have to wonder after a match like that – are the U hitting form or is the opposition on the night that poor. Probably a mix of both. I watched a good portion of the game but had a few distractions. When I was paying close attention, Sullivan was carving up the DC defense. And Blake did his usual feats of amazing shot stopping to preserve a clean sheet.
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Will we hit the playoffs and get knocked right out? Possibly. But I with Jim that no one wants to see the Union line up against them right now. Experience in these situations counts for a lot and this team has been there and (almost) done that. I have no expectations. Just along to see how far they can go.
DC is not a good team. That said, by the table, NYC is a far better test, and we did the same to them. For that matter, it was a good show against RBNY as well. This feels like form.
Harriel & Sullivan looked much like they did in the beginning of the season with speed down the outside and to the end line. The result opens the big three up with space as both Baribo and Uhre goals were just a matter of finishing and staying onside.
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I must say Leon Flach seems much better playing in front of the back four. Going forward I wouldn’t mind seeing McGlynn get a rest and let Jacques get the start. Jack just looks like he’s hit the wall a little and needs a rest.
I’m just wondering how they are going to go after the teams above them. The boys looks pretty dangerous for most of the match! Yet they had some defensive breakdowns that were concerning!
We’ll see pretty soon considering they still have Orlando, Columbus, and Cincinnati to play.
The up and down form this season has been an issue. I’m hopeful for a decent run to the end of the season. Don’t like hoping the other side has a bad day to get the 3 points.
Great W! The U are back! Rapid thoughts…
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That might have been the best offensive output I can remember from Harriel; seemed to have more confidence, quicker decision making, and execution. Nearly found a shot on goal if not for a heavy touch in traffic on the give and go w/ Quinn. Love to see the growth.
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Quinn’s night is a continuation of his growth, have to start to wonder how much longer we’ll have him and mcglynn before Europe calls.
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I feel like some of the Union’s success is in-part determined by which referee we get. If we are allowed to be physical, we look incredible… but other refs with a tighter whistle slow us down.
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If and when we face off @Miami, we’ll have had several looks at how this team plays. In all sports, when you face the same team multiple times in a short span before a playoff matchup, it can balance the scales for the underdog. I think about this vs Miami. Yes talent might overwhelm, but I think we will pack a serious punch vs them (again, if the ref allows! pun intended).
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Cavan is showing us what he can do in pint sized nuggets, I’d like to see him with a bit more burn in a non-mop up situation.
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Danley didn’t have much to do last night, but I wonder if he can be an ace in the hole type player for us in the playoffs with his close down ability.
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Adeniran is definitely not a fit for 2025 and beyond IMO, but in the interim, we are going to need him to help us out with a thin ST corps.
Congrats. I still think if the team continues to round in form they are a very tough out.
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DC is terrible.
It was 2022 when the Union plastered a horrendous DC United team 7-0. Not so long ago, also a season that ended in MLS Cup. Don’t take these “cupcake” games lightly – they all matter, all the goals and certainly all the points, and they matter to locker room chemistry too. It’s useful for a group of players to be reminded how good they are every now and then. Also not particularly shocking that when the team is fully healthy and not playing 4 other competitions at the same time they suddenly look, you know, like a team again…
I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around wins as tiebreakers. Here you have Toronto with two more wins than the Union, but 5 more losses and a 27 goal difference between Philly’s +10 and and their -17, and yet they’re a place ahead of us on the table.
Adeniran has improved. I doubt he sticks for 2025, though, especially since Jose Riasco has recently rejoined Union II.
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Adeniran now has an extra competitor.
Fun nugget. If the U make the playoffs it will likely be in the wild card slots. The other is currently Toronto. If the U win that game, they then proceed to play the number 1 seed, which is Miami. With the goofy playoff structure this year, that means playing Miami 2-3 times back to back in an away-home-away series. Potentially we now get a home game where Lionel Messi shows up.