Instant Analysis: Union secure striker Sapong with a new contract

Over the past few years, there has been one consistency on the Union’s front line. CJ Sapong has been the lone striker in the Union’s 4-2-3-1 formation, and his efforts have now been rewarded. After breaking his own personal and club records for goals scored in 2017, the union secure striker Sapong with a new multi-year contract.

Sapong’s New Deal:

Sapong’s contract was expiring at the end of this season, Earnie Stewart looked to secure the most consistent offensive asset. The contract details state that Sapong will be a member of the Union through the 2019 season with a club option for the 2020 season. When asked about Sapong, Stewart had this to say

“We are pleased to complete this agreement with CJ, a critical part of the spine of our team. He fits perfectly in our system with his nose for goal and his hold-up play. We’d like to thank him for his hard work and commitment to the Philadelphia Union and we look forward to working with him for years to come.”

Head coach Jim Curtin is also excited with the extension.

https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/973929389967708161

Union secure striker Sapong:

Now that Sapong’s contract set in stone a major piece of the Union’s offensive shape and style of play is secured. The Union love to play through Sapong to create offense. The Strikers ability to hold play up and get into goal scoring spaces make him a major focal point of the offense. His maturation into a great number nine has helped solidify the Union’s decision to extend his tenure. Earnie Stewart has made sure that the Union’s all time leading goal scorer is staying in Philadelphia for years to come.

CJ himself is ready to help the Union achieve bigger and better things.

https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/973921870214062080

Moves moving forward:

Now that the Union have secured Sapong, and also signed Andre Blake to a new extension, they have done their part in retaining two of their best players on their rosters. There are still players whose contracts are expiring, and decisions that need to be made by the front office. However, with their bigger money players having their contracts extended before the next off-season, the front office can now set their sights on a long-term number 10. Borek Dockal is here for now, but he is not the long-term fix. Now the front office can focus all of their efforts on finding that player.