For the first time since a 2-0 win March 30th vs. Minnesota and a 2-1 win at Nashville on April 6th, the Union have won back to back games. One more and that makes a win streak! Here is all the sights and sounds of the match:
Gazdag Posts Hat Trick
Just four days after Tai Baribo filled the net with three goals, Daniel Gazdag scored a trio of his own on Saturday. The Union generally made the most of their opportunities from the centre of the box and posted a 3.4 expected goals rate for their effort. Equally important, it’s beginning to look like the Union have their swagger back.
“If you win, your momentum starts to come back,” midfielder Leon Flach said. “Your brave in certain moments where you haven’t been brave before. We’re also lucky now in situations where we haven’t been before. When you win, everything just becomes easier. That’s just the reality of things.”
It’s good to be lucky, whereas it’s even better to be good. Baribo and Gazdag have been quite good in the last two matches.
According to MLS Communications, Gazdag’s hat trick marked just the sixth time in MLS history that a club had two different players score a hat trick in consecutive games.
Blake Makes Stunning Save
One key moment that stuck out in the match was the above save by Union keeper Andre Blake in the 85th minute. Thereafter, Daniel Gazdag came down the other way to ice the game for Philly. Had Blake not made that diving stop, the remaining seven minutes in the match could have been a lot tougher for the Union. In many ways, the veteran keeper remains the foundation of everything the Union do. Now that his health is no longer in question, it’ll be easier for Philly to be who they are the remainder of the season.
“When your best players are on the field together, we’re still a really good team,” Jim Curtin said. “These two wins will go a long way into the break to build some confidence to push through the Leagues Cup and finish the season the right way.”
Philly Acquires Adeniran
The Union have attempted to bolster their depth for the reminder of this season, as the club announced they have acquired forward Sam Adeniran from St. Louis SC through 2024 this week. St. Louis, on the other hand, receives a guaranteed $150,000 from Philadelphia and can earn up to $300,000 if certain performance incentives are met.
Adeniran scored 10 goals in 35 appearances (15 starts). Rumor has it there was a bit of a falling out with St. Louis manager and Adeniran over playing time, but that shouldn’t be much of an issue here. Philly has desperately needed a player that plays with pace and Adeniran has no shortage of speed to burn from the striker position. He’s already a welcomed addition.
“He gives us something different,” Mikael Uhre said. “He’s a big guy, a good target and wins a lot of flicks. I can’t wait to get to work with him.”
The 25 year-old Adeniran played around 30 minutes in the contest. He should be a regular in the Union rotation moving forward.
Wagner Watch
Defender Kai Wagner is now just two assists away from breaking Sebastien Le Toux’s club record for career assists.
They Said It
Mikael Uhre on his touch pass to Gazdag for the second goal: “It’s just about bringing the best out of all of us and Danny is phenomenal at making those runs.”
Leon Flach on Andre Blake’s Presence: “I think sometimes people underestimate how a goalkeeper can organize a defense. He always does a great job talking and keeping us aware. It’s great to have him back as a person and as a player.”
Jim Curtin on Preparations for Leagues Cup play: “We’ll have a long week to prepare for Charlotte. You can build fitness, keep sharpness and let them beat each other up in the mid-week and then hopefully we can put on some good performances for our fans.”
On Deck
The Union take on Charlotte on Saturday, July 27th, in Leagues Cup action at Subaru Park. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV at 7:30 pm., EST.
