Union lose again

At first, David Villa’s Goal of the Year candidate appeared a fitting end to another feckless performance from the Philadelphia Union. The World Cup champion’s 54-yard chip soared over Andre Blake, who went flying into his net shortly after the ball did. But Villa may have done the home side a favor. As his goal becomes legend, it overshadows what was the Union’s 14th straight match without a win.

New York City FC romped the Philadelphia Union on Friday night, marching out 2-0 victors. If it weren’t for the heroics of Andre Blake (five saves), that scoreline could have been much uglier. The Union hardly threatened to score a goal of their own, as they only put two shots on target, the last of which came in the 27th minute.

Jack Harrison scored NYCFC’s winning goal, as he tapped home Ronald Matarrita’s cross just a few minutes into the second half. The Costa Rican left back picked the pocket of Keegan Rosenberry, who had an absolutely hellish night, before finding Harrison in the box.

NYC was likely robbed of another goal in the first half, when Richie Marquez made a stunning, two-handed save on David Villa.

Villa and NYCFC are incensed that this wasn't whistled for a hand ball. #PHIvNYC pic.twitter.com/UwDU2m5qMS

— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) April 14, 2017

The Union are back in action against the Montreal Impact next week, when they’ll try to salvage something from a three-game home stand that has gone horribly awry.

Curtin made changes, but were they the right ones?

Roland Alberg and Jack Elliott were the two surprises in tonight’s lineup, replacing Derrick Jones and Oguchi Onyewu, respectively.

Fans have been calling for Alberg’s inclusion for weeks, as Alejandro Bedoya has displayed again and again that he’s not a capable playmaker. Unfortunately for the Union, neither is Alberg, who was a total non-factor and was eventually taken off for Adam Najem in the 71st minute.

Alberg off. Thus reminding us he was on.

— Graham Parker (@KidWeil) April 15, 2017

As a whole, the midfield failed to function. Medunjanin, Bedoya, and Alberg are not a natural central trio, and the Union’s paucity of chances serve as evidence of that. Chris Pontius and Ilsinho did nothing to aid the attack, either, as both put on lackluster performances.

Oguchi Onyewu, one of the bright spots of what has been a dreadful season, was curiously sent to the bench in favor of Jack Elliott on Friday night. The young Englishman played tentatively and had his fair share of poor touches, as to be expected from a 21-year-old making his first pro start.

Historically Terrible

For the first time in their history, the Union have failed to take a win out of their first six games of the season. Additionally, their active winless streak has been extended to 14. What more is there to say?