So after a frantic week, the Union have propelled through to the next round of the US Open Cup in a thrilling game after fighting bravely against the Montreal Impact to take a deserved yet frustrating point. But in two games that tested character, ability, passion and potential..who stood out to you the most?
We took to twitter and Facebook to ask you guys who you thought was the most impressive.
@PhiladelphiaSN @SonsofBen @PhillyUltras @HulkUnionSmash I'll give Ayuk this week… well deserved
— Jacob Heil (@HeilJacob) July 2, 2015
@PhiladelphiaSN @SonsofBen @PhillyUltras @HulkUnionSmash ayuk & Fabinho
— Anthony Oliver (@aoliver777) July 2, 2015
@PhiladelphiaSN @SonsofBen @PhillyUltras @HulkUnionSmash Ayuk continues to impress, great ball skill and scoring touch.
— Vince Smith (@RealVinceSmith) July 2, 2015
The general perception is one of two players, Eric Ayuk or CJ Sapong. Based on just the performances of the last seven days, for us it was a close contest but ultimately one winner.
We’re naming Eric Ayuk our player of the week for the first running of the award. Both him and Sapong had a great week and both suffered a red card. Here’s why were choosing the Union’s youngster.
The Cameroonian scored against the Impact before getting promptly red carded. Normally this would eliminate him from the award but the reason he’s getting it isn’t due to his performance before the card as much as it is after it.
Getting red carded can leave players mentally wounded for quite some time as they go over and over the situation in their head, debating how they would have done it differently and how their teammates may view them following the incident. There wasn’t much recovery time for Ayuk as he was named starting RM against D.C United in the Open Cup just a few days later. The responsibility of not only covering for an injured star in Sebastien Le Toux whilst Wenger transitions to the right, but also that of knowing how prestigious the Cup is and how much a win would mean for the team.
The Union have made the final before and whilst expectations won’t dictate a cup victory, success here would sit well with the Sons Of Ben..and that it did. Ayuk scored for his second consecutive game and put in a blistering performance on the right wing. For those reasons, we’re naming Eric our Player of the Week. One silly msitake does not wipe out two fantastic performances, and two that not only give the Union some depth at the wide midfielder position, but also project a bright future for a very talented young man.
Be sure to tweet Eric here and congratulate him!
