For the first time since 2011, the Union earn their first back-to-back wins to start a season on Saturday night. Let’s wrap on all the sights and sounds of the match:
Beats by Baribo
The night’s man of the match was obviously Tai Baribo, as the 27-year-old notched his second career hat-trick in the win. According to MLS stats, the Israeli striker becomes the fourth player in MLS history to score five goals in the first two games of a season, joining Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández (2021), Ayo Akinola (2020), and Brian Ching (2006).
“We see his prowess in front of the goal in terms of goal poaching, striking and finishing,” coach Bradley Carnell said. “Maybe what you don’t see is his work against the ball. A big part of our strikers is we defend from the front, they’re our first defenders coming back so I though both Mikhail and Tai were excellent tonight.”
The Union defended much better to a man on Saturday then they did in their season opener a week ago against Orlando City. In fact, the boys in blue held Cincinnati to just one, weak shot on goal through the first half.
“The transitional game is our DNA,” Carnell said. “What I saw is a lot of fluidity tonight, a lot of connections, a lot of synchronization’s with the ball and a lot combinations.”
Bruno’s First
In the 93rd minute, forward Bruno Damiani scored his first goal for the Union in his debut for the club to put the finishing touches on the victory. Quinn Sullivan picked up the assist on the play with a pass that was right on target as Damiani made the run. In the same way that Baribo and Uhre have scored in recent contests, Domaini also scored at the centre of the box.
“I think we the same kind of players, that’s why the goals are similar,” Damiani said. “All the teammates know us and how we play.”
Likewise, if you recall when the 22-year-old Uruguayan signed with the club, Union Sports Director Ernest Tanner described Damiani’s play as “ugly” in the best way, highlighting his physicality and ability to make plays against touch defenders.
It’s early but, he has shown himself to be exactly the kind of player the club has been looking for since Julian Carranza left.
Wagner Nursing Injury?
As a side, something that could be worth noting; Philly defender Kai Wagner was seen with his ankle bandaged and limping noticeably in the dressing room post-game. One has to wonder if Wagner picked up the knock in training or sometime during the match. The German left-back did, however, play the full 90 minutes and picked up an assist in the win as well.
We’ll monitor Wagner’s potential injury as the boys in blue resume training this week.
They Said It
Bradley Carnell on Creating Competition: “The players are embracing the competition. Everybody will win at the end of the day. This is all a part of our journey. I think we all signed up for a team sport.”
Tai Baribo on Playing Within Bradley Carnell’s new system: “There’s not such a big difference. We still play with two strikers and we just play a little higher.”
Bruno Damiani on Connecting with his New Teammates: “I am very thankful for all my teammates. They’ve received me very well, I fell very comfortable. There’s two or three more people that know Spanish so I can prepare with all of them.”
On Deck
The boys in blue will head to Gillette Stadium on Saturday, March 8th, to take on the New England Revolution. The match is set for a 7:30 kick-off and will be broadcast on Apple TV – MLS Season Pass.
