Union return to win column with convincing win over Atlanta

The Philadelphia Union punished a shaky Atlanta United defense and overcame a second half red card and a slew of chances for the visitors to return to the win column with a 3-0 victory Saturday night at Subaru Park.

Coming off a three-game winless streak, the Union started off on the front foot, pinning Atlanta into their own area where they struggled to contend with the pressure. The boys in blue nearly found an opener in the 16th minute when Mikael Uhre had two chances at goal but just missed wide of the mark after getting the rebound of Brad Guzan’s save on his first attempt.

The goal came just over 10 minutes later when the Union kept Atlanta from clearing their lines with numbers in the box that led to a headed clearance of a Kai Wagner cross right to Quinn Sullivan, who chested the ball down and calmly volleyed the ball past Guzan. The goal was the first of the season for Sullivan and gave the hosts a much deserved lead they would never relinquish.

Two minutes after the opener Uhre had a chance to double the lead but his shot hit off the woodwork. Atlanta had worse luck on their side, losing two starters to injury in the first half with center back Stian Gregersen exiting in the 31st minute and Tristan Muyumba joining him as an injury departure three minutes later.

Despite the unplanned substitutions, Atlanta was able to get to halftime with just the one-goal deficit. But shortly into the second half a perfectly executed turnover to offense transition doubled the lead with Danley Jean Jacques scoring his first Union goal the way first Union goals should be scored – by megging Brad Guzan.

The Union were flying high and on their way to a comfortable win when a second yellow card to Jovan Lukic added an unexpected layer of drama to the match. Though referee Allen Chapman won’t get high marks for his inconsistent calls on the night, there was little controversy around either Lukic booking. The first was for kicking a ball into the advertising boards after a foul was called and the second was for denying the quick restart.

Playing up a man, Atlanta gained some momentum and started to create multiple chances with their big money attack. Chance after chance started to fall their way but whether it was woodwork or Andre Blake – he made one massive save in the 77th minute and two routine ones – the Five Stripes could not find a breakthrough.

The Union weren’t done, however, finding the back of the net once more with Tai Baribo heading home a cross from Quinn Sullivan to round out the scoring. Baribo was on the bench to start with Bruno Damiani pairing with Uhre but snapped his personal four-game scoreless streak to make it 3-0. Sullivan chased down a Kai Wagner cross and saved it from going out before whipping in the cross to Baribo to add an assist to his game-winning goal.

The clean sheet was the 100th of Blake’s Union career in all competitions but more importantly put the Union back on the upswing with another struggling side in DC United coming to town next weekend.