Union Moves into 1st Place with 2-0 Win Over New York FC

Report From PHiladelphia Union

CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union beat New York City FC 2-0 Saturday in front of 18,681 fans at Talen Energy Stadium. Chris Ponitus and C.J. Sapong scored for the Union during the first half of the match and Andre Blake posted his second clean sheet of the season. The win moved the Union ahead of Montreal for first place in the Eastern Conference and set a new franchise mark of consecutive home wins with five.

 

The Union were quick to create chances on goal. Tranquillo Barnetta’s free kick from 40 yards out in the sixth minute found C.J. Sapong’s head, but the ball just narrowly missed Josh Saunders’ goal. Keegan Rosenberry also got a head on a corner kick from Barnetta in the 11th minute causing Saunders to make a diving save.

 

In the 25th minute, New York City’s David Villa took a shot that hit the cross bar keeping the score 0-0. Two minutes later, the Union found the back of the net when Chris Pontius tapped in Barnetta’s pass from just inside the six-yard box.

 

The Union’s leading goalscorer Sapong made the score 2-0 just before the half. Sebastien Le Toux sent a hard and low pass into the box that Sapong flicked into the net.

 

The second half saw the Union looking to defend their lead during which Union keeper Andre Blake did not have to make a single save.

 

The Union will return to action on Saturday, April 30 at Talen Energy Stadium against San Jose Earthquakes. It will be the second of a three-game homestand. Kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on 6abc. Single game and group tickets are still available by visiting PhiladelphiaUnion.com/tickets or by calling 1-877-21-UNION.

 

MATCH RECAP

Philadelphia Union 2, NYCFC 0

Talen Energy Stadium

Chester, Pa.

 

POST MATCH AUDIO

Head coach Jim Curtin

Midfielder Brian Carroll

Forward C.J. Sapong

Goalkeeper Andre Blake

NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira

 

SCORING SUMMARY

PHI – Chris Pontius (Tranquillo Barnetta) 27’

PHI — C.J. Sapong (Sebastien Le Toux) 41’

 

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

NYC – Mikey Lopez (Yellow) 16’

PHI — Fabinho (Yellow) 36’

NYC – David Villa (Yellow) 69’

NYC — Federico Bravo (Yellow) 89’

PHI — Warren Creavalle (Yellow) 90+1’

 

PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI

Andre Blake; Fabinho (Ray Gaddis 45’), Richie Marquez, Josh Yaro, Keegan Rosenberry; Brian Carroll ©, Vincent Nogueira; Chris Pontius (Warren Creavalle 81’), Tranquillo Barnetta (Ilsinho 64’), Sebastien Le Toux; C.J. Sapong.

 

Substitutes not used: Matt Jones, Anderson, Leo Fernandes, Fabian Herbers.

 

NEW YORK CITY FC STARTING XI

Josh Saunders; Jason Hernandez, Frederic Brillant, Andoni Iraola, Ronald Matarrita (RJ Allen 70’); Federico Bravo, Kwadwo Poku (Thomas McNamara 57′), Mikey Lopez (Mix Diskerud 78’); Steven Mendoza, David Villa ©, Khiry Shelton.

 

Substitutes not used: Eirik Johnson, Diego Martínez, Tony Taylor, Patrick Mullins.

 

OFFICIALS

Jose Carlos Rivero (referee), Brian Dunn (assistant), Jose da Silva (assistant), Mathieu Bourdeau (fourth).

 

ATTENDANCE

18,681

 

TEAM NOTES

• The Union improved to 2-1-1 all-time record against New York City FC.
• Brian Carroll made his 350th career appearance in MLS Regular Season play. He became just the sixth outfield player to do so in league history, and the eighth player overall.
• Tranquillo Barnetta made his first start of the season, coming in for the suspended Roland Alberg. Barnetta had made three consecutive appearances off the bench as he continues to get fit after a preseason knee injury.
• Fabinho received his fifth yellow card of the season and will miss next weekend’s game against San Jose Earthquakes.
• Chris Pontius scored his third goal of the season for the Union while C.J. Sapong scored his fourth.
• Ray Gaddis made his first appearance this season, replacing Fabinho at halftime.
• The win was the Union’s fifth consecutive win at home, dating back to the 2015 season, which is now the club’s all-time mark for consecutive home wins.