For the first time in 109 days, the Philadelphia Union have won a game of soccer at Subaru Park! What an eventful night it was down in Chester, with Jim Curtin’s team grabbing 3 points for just the 2nd time in 18 games. Tai Baribo’s Hat-Trick, Cavan Sullivan’s youngest pro debut of all-time, and the ending of Union yards curse – let’s recap all of the action from Union’s 5-1 win against New England on Wednesday night.
Starting XI
I thought it immediately once seeing the lineup drop, and Jim Curtin said it in his post-game press conference – this was the strongest lineup and bench Union have put out on the field in quite some time. The return of Andre Blake was huge for this team and provided a spark in training leading up to the game. There’s no way to quantify how much Andre’s leadership means for this team.
Blake wasn’t the only important name returning to the lineup, with Jose Martinez making his way back into the Starting XI after an impressive COPA America with Venezuela. And for the first time ever, 14 Year Old Cavan Sullivan made the bench for Union’s first team. Here’s how the Union lined up in their classic 4-4-2 Diamond on Wednesday night
GK: Andre Blake
RB: Oliver Mbaizo, CB: Jakob Glesnes, CB: Jack Elliott, LB: Kai Wagner
CDM: Jose Martinez
RCM: Ale Bedoya, LCM: Leon Flach
ST: Mikael Uhre, ST: Tai Baribo
Baribo Opens The Scoring
After controlling much of the ball mid-way through the opening half it was Tai Baribo who opened the scoring and gave Union the 1-0 lead at home. 29 minutes in, Kai Wagner whipped a free-kick towards the far-post of Ivacic’s goal, connecting with the foot of Jack Elliott. Elliott played the ball back across the face of the net for Tai Baribo, whose header smashed the back of the net. The opening goal of the night was Baribo’s 4th goal in a Union shirt, and Union’s 14th set-piece goal of the campaign.
Glesnes Goal Doubles Union’s lead
Union’s problem this season hasn’t been a lack of goal-scoring, but keeping balls out of their own net. Jim Curtin has admitted that sometimes the best defense is another goal, but on numerous occasions Union have failed to extend their lead only for it to come back to haunt them.
On Wednesday night, Union found a way to extend their first-half lead, and you could feel the pressure fall off everyone’s shoulders. In the 39th minute of the game, Kai Wagner once again delivered a dangerous ball from a corner into the box, this time finding the head of Center Back Jakob Glesnes. Glesnes directed the ball towards the back post and tucked it into the corner, giving Union a 2-0 lead before half-time. This goal marked the 15th goal of the season coming from a set piece for Union, which currently leads all MLS teams.
Baribo Bangs Brace
With the lead extended and the pressure starting to lift, Union were able to find another goal just before half-time to extend their lead to 3. Ale Bedoya sent a ball up the right side of the pitch for Mikael Uhre, who did well to muscle off his defender and gain a step with the ball at his feet, laying off a perfect pass in the path of Tai Baribo. Baribo ran onto the ball near the penalty spot and hit a shot towards net with his first touch, which took a deflection of of Ivacic’s glove, bounced off the far post, and trickled into the net. 3-0 Union heading into the half-time break.
Ian Harkes breaks Union’s clean sheet
Union didn’t give up a ton of opportunities to New England on Wednesday night. Just 0.13 Expected Goals on 2 total shots from the Revs, but one of those shots was a beauty from Ian Harkes who beat Andre Blake from outside the 18-yard box early in the second half.
Hat-Trick Baribo
The goal from New England could have been a big turning point in this game, and a 2 goal lead with over 30 minutes to go can be quite dangerous for Union given their recent form. But directly off the re-start, Kai Wagner sends another beautiful ball into the middle of he box for Tai Baribo, who settles the ball down with his first touch, and fires it past the keeper with his 2nd touch to give Union a 4-1 lead, and to complete Tai Baribo’s hat-trick.
After the match, Jim Curtin said that was one of the most important moments of the game
“It wasn’t a “here we go again” mentality, it was a “grab the ball out of the net, put it down, and let’s go again”, and we scored right away”
-Jim Curtin on Baribo’s 3rd goal.
Quinn Sullivan’s scores a banger to make it 5-1
With time winding down and Union already up 4-1, it was Quinn Sullivan who threw his name in the hat for goal of the night with his strike in the 84th minute. Sullivan received a pass outside of the penalty area from Jakob Glesnes, but was left unattended by his defended once he settled the ball and turned towards goal. Sullivan teed up his shot and let one fly, fizzing it into the corner of the net past Ivacic’s left side. After the goal, Quinn shared a nice moment with his younger brother Cavan during his goal celebration – the first time those 2 have been included on the same first-team Union roster together.
14 Year Old Cavan Sullivan’s Debut
Being included in the same match day roster and celebrating a goal together wasn’t enough for Quinn and Cavan Sullivan on Wednesday night. Immediately after Quinn’s goal to make it 5-1, Jim Curtin turned to his younger brother, Cavan, making him the youngest player ever to debut amongst the top North American professional sports leagues (MLS, MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, NWSL), passing Freddy Adu’s former 20-year record.
It’s another quick turnaround for the U, but it’s a lot easier to deal with when it’s coming off a win and you’re staying at home. Union will look to make it 2 straight wins on Saturday as Nashville SC come to town, coming off a 3-0 loss at home to Orlando on Wednesday night. Smells like 3 points for DOOP.
Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union
