Andre Blake delivers his 76th career clean sheet and the Union pull into a playoff spot with four more matches to go. Let’s wrap on all the sights and sounds of the match.
Sullivan and Service
One could make the argument that Quinn Sullivan was the Union’s most proficient player on Sunday evening. The 20 year-old successfully completed two beautiful crosses that led to goals and showed good compete on the defensive end. Sullivan has spent a majority of the season playing all over the pitch, from the wing to the second striker position and everywhere in between. However, his ability to beat the first man can help change the complexion of a defense’s structure, as it did in this match.
“The reason he’s on the field and getting a lot of minutes is because he’s earned them,” Head Coach Jim Curtin said. “I think sometimes we forget how young he is, but he’s a playmaker.”
With Tai Baribo, Daniel Gazdag and Mikael Uhre drawing the attention of opposing defenses, Sullivan’s offensive creation could help bolster the Union’s attack heading into the biggest games of the season in the coming weeks.
“It definitely helps when you have numbers in the box,” Sullivan said. “There awesome to play with.”
With his two assist night, Sullivan has now posted 10 key passes on the season.
Quick Strike Offense
After a bit of loose and wide open play from both clubs in the first 10 minutes, the Union’s three-headed monster got on the board to get the boys in blue going. First, in the 13th minute, Quinn Sullivan’s excellent solo effort sets up Mikael Uhre for the back door tap in to give Philly an early 1-0 lead. Then, in the 15th minute, Daniel Gazdag picked up the ball on a broken play and wired a shot home to make it 2-0 in quick succession. Later, Gazdag would get his brace in off a feed from Tai Baribo in the second half. The match never really felt in danger after that.
“It was a good, professional performance,” Curtin said. “I said to the guys before we went out to the field, we should take the field in confidence knowing that we have a group that’s been in a good run of form and also, a group that is fully healthy.”
It’s been no secret that the season has been up and down for the U. Between injuries, international duty, losing key players to transfers and the like, the club has been looking to strike up a balance all year with their full compliment of players available. But now with 9 goals in the last two games, better late than never, eh?
“We’re feeling good right now for sure,” Sullivan said. “We understand how important every game is and it good to be in the form were in. We got to keep it up.”
They Said It
Andre Blake on the Importance of Playing Meaningful Games Down the Stretch: “These are the fun games. The intensity, the crowds, the pressure and everything that comes with it. It’ll get you ready for the playoffs.”
Daniel Gazdag on the Final Four Games: “I don’t how many points we need to get into the playoffs, but I know we are in good form.”
Jim Curtin on his Message to the Union This Season: “It’s not how you start the season, people remember how you finish. We dug ourselves too deep of a hole in the beginning of the year, but guys continue to fight to get themselves out of it.”
On Deck
The Union return to action on Saturday, September 28, when they play host to Atlanta United FC. The match begins at 7:30 P.M with both clubs fighting for playoff positioning.
