Photo courtesy of Kevin Barrett, PSP
The Union (9th in the standings, on 27 points) came into the game looking to keep their winning streak and playoff aspirations alive, while Cincinnati (6th, with 31 points) needed to stiffen their form away from home of 1-1-5. But the cagey, intricate, probably low-scoring match many expected is not what the Wednesday night crowd at Subaru Park got. Coach Ryan Richter’s lineup changes from the Montréal game may have been about countering the extra rest Cincinnati had after their game last week against D.C. United was cancelled due to weather. Cavan and Quinn Sullivan started together in an MLS match for the first time, and forward Ezekiel Alladoh made his first start since May 9. The new starters picked up right where the team left off–and ran with it.
First Half
The Union started on the front foot, with two well worked attacks down the right. In the 5th minute, the Union’s press forced a turnover, but the good chances didn’t translate into shots on goal. The defense, particularly Harriel and Pierre emphatically tamped down Cincinnati incursions. And Cincinnati midfielder Evander, who leads MLS in goal contributions, adept at creating from distance, was largely kept out of the game.
In the 11th minute, the game changed when Cincinnati’s Obinna Nwododo was shown a yellow for a nasty foul against Frankie Westfield, which VAR later adjudged a straight red card. Cincinnati retreated into a defensive shell the Union had difficulty cracking. Bit by bit, the Union’s intricate passing and grit started to push Cincy back, their lone attacker, Kevin Denkey, the only outlet. To their credit, Cincinnati continued to look for a goal, either through Denkey or via free kicks.
Cincinnati’s best chance of the half came in the 37th minute, but the final shot was pulled wide. Immediately at the other end Alladoh had a shot blocked by what looked like a handball. Nevertheless, the Union were only awarded a corner. In the scrum around the goal, however, Evander pulled Quinn Sullivan down in the box. After a lengthy review and attending to Neil Pierre for an off-the-ball foul, Quinn Sullivan stepped up to take the penalty kick. And buried it. 1-0 to the Union in the 43rd minute. 9 minutes of stoppage time were added.
The Union continued their press and attacked with energy and creativity. And in the 45+1 minute of stoppage, Damiani was gifted a tap-in on a beautiful slow cross from Cavan Sullivan. 2-0. Less than two minutes later, Danley Jean Jacques had a stinging shot saved on the line. The Union continued to find joy down the right and left, in the dying minutes of the half, Frankie Westfield sent a shot high.
Second Half
Cincinnati made three substitutions to begin the second half. If they had hoped for fresh legs and energy, Kai Wagner, the Sullivan brothers and Bruno Damiani put that–or any sense that the Union was going to play conservatively–to rest when a looping cross from Quinn Sullivan found Damiani, whose shot kissed the inside of the far post and bounced in. 3-0.
The Union continued the attack, moving the ball with confidence and purpose. In the 61st minute, Damiani got his third, with an assist from Cavan. The attacks, shots and near misses came thick and fast. In the 72nd minute Kai Wagner brought down a looping cross from Indiana Vassilev, which he fed to Damiani. Who made no mistake. But the goal was disallowed.
In the 66th and 75th minutes, Richter made substantial substitutions, taking off Bruno Damiani among others to wild, appreciative applause. In the 81st minute, the clean sheet seemed in danger when Pavel Bucha controlled a poor clearance and put away his chance. But VAR showed he was offside, and the goal was chalked off. Thereafter, the Union seemed to want to slow the tempo down. But in the 88th minute, Jakupovic was brought down in the box and the referee signaled for a penalty. Iloski stepped up and converted the penalty kick in the 89th minute. 5-0.
It could be said that the early red card against Cincinnati sealed the win, but sometimes the team that’s down a man scrapes out a win or a draw. But the Union performance tonight was confident and unrelenting. Damiani found his goal-scoring boots, and the wings delivered crosses and shots that kept their opponents on the back foot for most of the game.
Three Points
- Transition. There were very few hopeful long balls, and few head-tennis matches. In the midfield, the Union looked coldly efficient and creative. It hasn’t always been a strength, but tonight it was. Cavan Sullivan continues to impress, adding speed, skill and guile to the Union’s transition and attack.
- Depth. Given the early season trials, lacking width through Quinn Sullivan and Kai Wagner, the lack of depth at key positions was missed.
- Striker. Hat trick for Bruno Damiani! Alladoh looked more involved than in previous games, but he still lacks the striker’s instinct for goal, or maybe it’s confidence. With Iloski struggling, there aren’t many good options. But his PK tonight can only help.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2):
André Blake, Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Cavan Sullivan (Malik Jakupovic 75′), Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukić (Jesus Bueno 66′), Quinn Sullivan (Indiana Vassilev 66′), Ezekiel Alladoh (Milan Iloski 66′) Bruno Damiani (Alejandro Bedoya 75′)
Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick, Ben Bender, Japhet Sery Larsen, Jeremy Rafanello, , ,
FC Cincinatti (3-5-2):
Roman Celetano (GK), Miles Robinson, Kyle Smith, Andrei Chirila; Obinna Nwododo, Evander, Geraldo Valenzuela; Pavel Bucha, Ender Echenique, Kevin Denkey, Ayoub Jabbari
Substitutes not used: Alvas Powell, Nick Hagglund, Samuel Gidi, Evan Louro, Teenage Hadebe, Tom Barlow, Kenji Mboma Dem, Brian Anunga, Bryan Ramirez
Scoring Summary:
PHI – Q. Sullivan (PK) 43′
PHI – Damiani (C. Sullivan) 45+3**
PHI – Damiani (Q. Sullivan) 49′
PHI – Damiani (C. Sullivan) 61′
PHI – Iloski (PK) 89′
Disciplinary Summary:
11′ – Red Card – Obinna Nwododo
Officials:
Ref: Joe Dickerson
AR1: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho
AR2: Eric Weisbrod
4th: Joshua Encarnacion
VAR: Victor Rivas
AVAR: Craig Lowry
The early man advantage was certainly a gift, but the U certainly took the fullest advantage of it tonight to make it a gift that kept giving by annihilating a quality opponent. That exhibits good team cohesion, belief, and purpose.
They seized the opportunity like sharks in an old Mortal Kombat game sensing advantage to “finish him”. We obtained a nice goal differential pickup doing so for playoff seeding purposes along with individual advertising. I liked the hunger. They were in individual and collective shark mode.
.
Failing to take advantage of a man advantage has been a traditional lax attitude and tactical failure for this club. Well done to fully maximize it.
.
Damiani certainly needed a night like this for his confidence, and the teamwork provided it for him in good supporting tradecraft, especially Cavan. They were collectively in sync, a good sign.
.
Agreed that improving the long ball will add additional options, but this team is undeniably improving in confidence, tradecraft, and sync and have flipped a disastrous season on its head.
.
Glad to see Alladoh and Jakupovic get time. We put moneyball into Alladoh so let’s see if it pans out. Jakupovic has already shown true prospect potential. Young Jakupovic even drew the last PK with his late appearance. Since we all know this is a developmental club by ownership intent, and no success will ever be purchased by established star power, we might as well do best what the plan is for it, and it’s good at that.