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The Union are 4-0-0 in League Play Since the World Cup Break, and May Never Lose Again
Published:
The U were down 2-0 on Sunday night in New York and scored three second-half goals to win it:
This was not the greatest game of soccer ever played. NYC converted a couple of penalty kicks and Milan Iloski should have had a first-half brace.
But the Union did what they do, which is hang around and show resilience. They clawed back the first goal on a set piece, with Danley Jean Jacques simply beating another guy to the ball at the six-yard line to sneak it home. Andre Blake made a big near-post save on a corner to keep it 2-1, then the Union scored twice on midfield turnovers that resulted in lopsided counterattacks, one a 3v2 and the other a 3v1.
Classic Union, really. Both the equalizer and game winner were started by Jesus Bueno winning the ball inside the Philly half and simply rolling it forward to spring counters. New York’s transitional defending was horrendous and the Union punished them for it.
If you’re keeping track, that’s now 4 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses in MLS play for the Union since the World Cup break. Ryan Richter is unbeaten since taking over as interim manager. They have gone from dead last in Major League Soccer to five points off the playoff line with 15 games remaining. Miami is in town on Wednesday night having just been thrashed 4-1 vs. Nashville. You never know what may happen. The Union may never lose another game.
sidenote: Yankee Stadium is the absolute worst. A travesty. Worst viewing experience across all professional sports. Thankfully these jokers are getting a new stadium soon.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com