C.J. Sapong Stays Hot, Helps Union Beat Sounders
By Sean Maslin
Just two weeks ago, C.J. Sapong’s career was at a cross-roads. Suspended by the league for a DUI and coming off of consecutive underperforming seasons with Sporting Kansas City, this appeared to be the last chance for Sapong to get his career back on track. So far, so good. After coming back from rehabilitation, Sapong has been a force for the Philadelphia Union. On Wednesday, the 26 year old has added to his strong form by notching his fourth goal in as many matches and helping lead the Union past the Seattle Sounders by the score of 1-0.
Now normally a match between the first-place team in the Western Conference (Sounders) and a team coming off of a 5-1 hosing at the hands of the Los Angeles Galaxy (Philadelphia) would be seen as an epic result. But this was not the same Seattle team that currently leads the league in goals. Sounders coach Sigi Schmid had to look to his bench to replace not just forward Clint Dempsey (suspended) and Obafemi Martins (injury).
More from MLS News
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- The Chicago Fire does not deserve your support anymore
- Heading to America: Alexis Sanchez Aims for New Horizons in American or Mexican Soccer
- Ethan Horvath: The Bridge Between Two Worlds in Soccer
Without two of the top five goal-scorers in MLS Seattle struggled to muster even muster two shots on target. Sounders midfielder Gonzalo Pineda had their best chance in the 18th minute when his shot appeared to be promising but went wide. Credit to the Philadelphia Union defense led by Maurice Edu and goalkeeper Bryan Silvestre for running a tight defense. After being beat up the Galaxy last week, Edu and Silvestre worked with the young Union defenders to play within their shot and to avoid making costly errors.
Seattle might have struggled to create chances but the Union certainly were not. Philadelphia at times looked like a very different squad than the one that took the pitch against Los Angeles last week. Perhaps it was the cheesesteaks or the excellent crosses by defender Sheanon Williams but the Union looked much more dangerous on the attack.
The Union nearly took the lead in the 30th minute when Andrew Wenger was awarded a penalty inside the Sounders box. On the ensuing kick, Maurice Edu’s shot was saved by a diving Sebastian Frei. Frei, the Sounders goalkeeper, made several spectacular saves to preserve the draw.
But despite Frei’s best efforts the Union could not be denied. In the 70th minute Sapong would bury home his chance off of a Williams cross. While Williams’ in-swinger was impressive, Sapong’s deep cut into the box and excellent timing made the play all the more impressive. The goal was Sapong’s sixth goal in twelve appearances for the Union. He also tied a Union record originally set by Sebastian Le Toux for most consecutive games with a goal with four.
With the victory, the Union snap a two game losing streak. They will continue their three-match homestand on Saturday when they host the Montreal Impact.
For the Sounders without Martins and Dempsey the club will continue to have to try and find ways to score. Having lost their last two matches and three of their last four, Seattle will search for answers when they host the Portland Timbers on Sunday night.