The Philadelphia Union faced off against D.C. United at Subaru Park on Sunday night, and the home side dominated their rivals, showing the league what team they can be at their best. The Union scored four goals, using a brace from Daniel Gazdag, and two individual goals from Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo to lead them to a 4-0 win. It was an all around impressive match for the Boys in Blue, as they look to continue their push towards clinching a playoff spot.
For more details about the match, click the link to view fellow PSN writer Jimmy King’s piece about the match:
Many players stood out in the win, but a few players stood out more than the others.
Philadelphia UnionPlayers of the Match
Quinn Sullivan
Quinn Sullivan is a player who shot out of a cannon early in the season, as he started the season well. He has been an important player for Jim Curtin’s side this year, playing in multiple positions, and even coming off the bench for some matches and starting in others.
For the match against D.C. United, Curtin started Sullivan on the right side of the diamond, which has been a favorite for the youngster this year. The 20 year-old responded with what could arguably be his best performance of the season. Quinn played the entire match, contributing two assists on the night, with one of them being a beautiful ball played to Mikael Three. Jim Curtin has depended on the young midfielder a lot this season, and performances like he had show exactly why.
Daniel Gazdag
The Union’s number 10 is a player who has had a good year once again, proving his importance in the attack. Earlier in the season, Gazdag became the all-time leading goal scorer in Union history, passing Sébastian Le Toux. He made more history in the Union’s recent match against NYCFC as well, becoming the first player in Philadelphia Union history to record multiple MLS regular seasons of scoring 15 goals or more.
The Hungarian showed his attacking impact once again on Sunday night, by scoring a brace in the Union’s 4-0 win. His first goal came in the 16th minute, just three minutes after Mikael Uhre’s opener. His second was the fourth and final goal in the match, which took a blow to any chance that D.C. United had. Gazdag is a key member of this squad, and will need to continue putting in good performances for the Union to clinch a spot in the playoffs, and even make a run.
Andre Blake
The Union’s star goalkeeper made his return to the Starting XI after his injury, and he made sure to cause a big impact in the match. Blake made four saves on the night, getting another clean sheet on the season, and his 76th of his career. His biggest save of the night came in the 81st minute, when Christian Benteke had an open shot on net.
Blake dove to his left, making a key save to help preserve the clean sheet. Blake had another great save early on in the match, when he stopped a shot from Mateusz Klich in the 11th minute. While Andrew Rick looked good in the midweek match against NYCFC, it is always good to have Andre Blake in net for the Union. He is one of the most important players for this team, and even in the league. Blake provides a difference maker through multiple avenues, and Jim Curtin will be happy to have him back in net as the playoff push continues.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
