Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati Player Ratings

In a measuring stick game that could decide the Eastern Conference in this season’s playoffs, the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati gave a glimpse of the strategical battle of two of the league’s best sides. The Union found the net early on another Jose Martinez wonder strike and doubled the lead later on a Daniel Gazdag penalty. Despite Cincinnati holding the ball more in the first half and creating better chances, the Union’s disruption and counter method worked.

The second half changed with the introduction of Cincy’s latest DP signing Aaron Boupendza, who torched the Union backline with a goal and an assist to pull the visitors back. If not for a late second yellow by Yerson Mosquera, the Union appeared headed for an eventual loss as Cincy controlled the action late with an enormous amount of pressure in the Union back third.

The result was fair, but the Union gained no ground on the league leaders while wins by Orlando City and Atlanta added to the congestion for second in the East.

Here are the player ratings:

Andre Blake: 7
He made the saves he’s supposed to make as well as a couple brilliant ones. Not sure he could have done anything on either goal. Boupendza was free for a tap in from the six, and Vazquez’s shot deflected over him.

Jakob Glesnes: 6
Glesnes kept the ball well and handled the box with ease. His lack of pace is a little more exposed on the outside of a back three, and he was beat behind on the second Cincinnati goal.

Jack Elliot: 6
He had his hands full with Santos in the first half but managed to keep him in check. The second half, the Union defense lost the handle and were beaten twice. He was slow to step on the first goal, which led to a quick touch to spring Yuya Kubo. His second yellow was debatable, and he was unfortunate to have been sent off.

Damian Lowe: 6
Lowe brought a level of tenacity that made a difference. He was strong in the attacking end on free kicks and corners. On the first goal, he was out of position, not the first time, exposing Wagner with Boupendza. On the second, he was beaten to the spot by Vazquez but unlucky that his block caromed over Blake.

Kai Wagner: 6
Kept in check offensively for much of the game but had a few good free kicks and corners. Played a great entry pass to Gazdag for what became the drawn penalty to put the Union up two goals but was beaten by Boupendza on the first goal. Won the matchup with Santiago Arias rather easily.

Nathan Harriel: 7
Defensively, Harriel did a solid job keeping Alvaro Barreal in check. He made some fantastic runs down the right side and never received the ball and did play a few dangerous crosses into the box with no Union players attacking the goal.

Jose Martinez: 7
Scored a beautiful goal from distance to give the Union a 1-0 lead. He also controlled the midfield in the first half but came out flat to start the second. Once he left the pitch, the Union lost the midfield.

Jack McGlynn: 5
Controlled the ball in the first half and set up Martinez’s goal but was exposed in the second once Cincinnati gained momentum. His one-on-one matchup with Nwobodo was very one-sided.

Daniel Gazdag: 6
Scored his league-leading 10 th penalty to put the Union up 2-0. He found the ball in some good spaces in the first half and was able to create. Defensively, he wasn’t able to establish a press and force turnovers.

Michael Uhre: 5
He made a few good runs in behind but too often looked for the home run pass instead a linking ball in front of the backs. His press has been really nonexistent as of late.

Julian Carranza: 5
Spent much of the first half trying to draw cheap fouls. Was beaten by pace often yet gave the Union the most defensively among the front three. His giveaway led to the second goal.

Subs:

Jesus Bueno (63’): 5
Entered for Jose Martinez to provide energy and stability but did little to stop the one-sidedness of Cincinnati’s play, especially with Nwobodo controlling the middle.

Tai Baribo (73’): 4
I’m not saying the B word yet, but he’s had zero to very little impact since entering a game.

Chris Donovan (90’+3): NR

Referee Ismail Elfath: 3
I don’t often criticize referees because it’s the hardest job in the world, but the game was too big for him. He failed to control the chaos of the first half then became card happy in the second. Mosquera’s second yellow was late with studs exposed but Elliott’s was a regular foul.