Daniel Gazdag finds scoring boots once again in 3-0 Union win

Good things tend to happen when you decide to rip a shot toward goal. Just ask Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin following the team’s impressive bounce-back home win Saturday night against New England Revolution.

Curtin’s group tallied 3 goals and kept a clean sheet against an in-conference rival. And perhaps more importantly, Philadelphia’s attacking midfielder Daniel Gazdag found his scoring boots once again, banging home a goal in the run of play for the first time in the 2023 MLS season and another PK goal to follow.

“We challenged the guys today to trust the first thing they see, to take risks and play forward and be a bit more brave,” said Curtin post game. “Overall, I think we were at least a good version of the Philadelphia Union, which is being proactive rather than reactive.”

Curtin’s players seemed to take that messaging to heart Saturday night. They appeared to think less and act more, especially in the offensive half. A formation change to a 5-3-2 at home allowed Philadelphia to manage New England’s wide options – mainly their impressive outside backs. The formation change also allowed more fluidity in the midfield for Philadelphia. This allowed them to access the ‘green zone’ just above New England’s backline with relative ease throughout the match, most notably in the second half.

Some minor halftime adjustments created an offensive explosion for Philadelphia.

Curtin mentioned a brief exchange with Gazdag at the half that could’ve sparked something in the Hungarian midfielder.

“We talked about it at halftime, if you don’t like what you see or you don’t think the combination is going to be perfect, then shoot. Pull the trigger and shoot… when you shoot good things happen,” said Curtin. “Good for him to get that goal in the run of play.”

It was an important goal for the match and maybe even more important for Gazdag. Entering the match Saturday night, Gazdag tallied 4 regular season goals – all from the PK spot. He also tallied 3 PK goals throughout the recent Concacaf Champions League tournament. But Saturday was the first time Gazdag found the score sheet from a goal in the run of play since last season.

And it was a solid one, a rifled shot that bounced off the inside of the post and into the goal netting in the 56th minute. It was a well deserved moment for a hardworking player. Gazdag would find the back of the net again in the 74th minute from the all-to-familiar spot for him, the PK spot, thanks to Mikael Uhre who drew the foul in the box.

“Gazdag is the type of player that works so hard defensively and does so much for the team. And in a lot of instances he’s still arriving in the box at good times and guys aren’t getting him the ball at the right moment,” said Curtin.

Gazdag seemed to lead the charge for Philadelphia the whole match. Which is not entirely surprising considering he serves as the main offensive catalyst for a team that has shown signs of explosiveness in transition in 2023. But ultimately, they’ve struggled to find sustained periods of consistency offensively. Saturday night’s offensive explosion could be that moment of spark Philadelphia needs to go on a little midseason run and string some results together.

The messaging from Curtin was clear. Shoot more and shoot often.

“30 yards and in, we’re not Man City, we’re not Arsenal. We’re not going to pass it 65 times in that area and score a goal… so shoot,” said Curtin.

“Deflections happen. Even in the first half just by shooting from outside, their center back almost scores an own goal. Good things happen when you shoot. I think Daniel’s goal is an example of that… sometimes the best option might be to pull the trigger,” said Curtin.

Gazdag and the Union will look to continue playing proactively on offense once again at New York City FC on Saturday.