Oops we did it again to quote Britney Spears..as predicted, the Sounders lack of attack was easily visible as C.J scored his fifth goal in six games to lift the Union to a much needed 1-0 victory at PPL Park.
With such an important three game home stretch ahead, it was so critical that the Union at least got a point tonight. Especially after coming off of the 5-1 lashing the Galaxy had dealt them..a Galaxy team who now have 15 goals in their last three games..somehow I don’t think all the blame can be put on the boys in Blue for that loss!
The Union were very much alive from the off, aware of the situation in hand and their diminishing chances of playoff Soccer. The first real sign of life came in the 27th minute, when Captain Maurice Edu converted from a long throw in from Williams. The goal was revoked however as Andrew Wenger fouled Sounders goalie Stefan Frei before the captain was able to slot one home.
The luck of the home side was to change just three minutes later, Andrew Wenger was on the opposite end of a foul in the box, giving the Union their first penalty of the entire season..it’s better late than never right? Edu stepped up to convert the spot kick but was denied by the Sounders keeper in what was a moment that could well sum up the Union season.
Third time lucky is the saying and that was the case for C.J Sapong who finally broke the deadlock in the second half. In the 69th minute, a tremendous ball in from Williams connected with the head of the Union’s latest star who then nodded it past Frei for what must have seem like a goal of justice.
We mentioned in our preview about the Union Defense and how crucial a good performance here was. The back four held strong, limiting Seattle to just two shots on target for the entire game. Shut down marking was excellent and keeping what remaining firepower Seattle had left under blankets seemed to be a lot easier than most predicted.
The real hero though was Brian Sylvestre, who found his fourth clean sheet in just eight appearances. Not bad considering the opposition he was playing.
Coming off of such a big win is only going to boost the chances of retaining the Union’s unbeaten record against the Montreal Impact when they travel to PPL Park on Saturday.
