photo by Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports
By FRANCO PANIZO
The Philadelphia Union were down a goal and in need of a major spark. One of their more seasoned veterans provided just that with some heads-up play.
Conor Casey came off the bench in the second half and scored twice via nodded efforts to help the Union rally to a 2-1 road victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. Casey entered the game in the 71st minute and wasted no time, heading his first of the night three minutes later and finding a winner in the 86th minute.
Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski had opened the scoring at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California, with a 64th-minute penalty kick that was given following a handball call on Fabinho. Philadelphia, however, mustered up a response to end San Jose’s winning streak at four games.
Making things even worse for the Earthquakes was that they lost hard-nosed centerback Victor Bernardez in the 39th minute because of a hamstring injury. The loss of Bernardez further weakened San Jose, which was already without midfielders Anibal Godoy and Sanna Nyassi because of international duty.
The Union were also missing key players, but overcame that thanks to Casey’s headed finishes off the bench.
Philadelphia moved into seventh place in the Eastern Conference with the win, one point shy of the Montreal Impact. The Earthquakes, meanwhile, missed on a chance to move into a playoff spot and are still in seventh in the Western Conference after the loss.
What do you think about the Union’s 2-1 win vs. the Earthquakes? Impressed by Casey’s cameo off the bench? Which of these two clubs do you think is more likely to reach the playoffs?
Share your thoughts below.
Connor Casey has a better scoring per minute rate than Landon Donovan. And oddly the two games in which Casey has played 19 minutes this season he has scored all 3 of his goals.
I agree Godoy was sorely missed, also Pelosi. Dom tried to play 4-4-2 with Alashe behind MPG…it was an abject failure and quickly morphed essentially into the 4-5-1 with Wondo trying to cover for MPG’s defensive deficiencies. Philly’s team speed was impressive and it neutralized SJ’s flank speed…Salinas was stymied and made poor decisions with the ball all game…he had no answers…Cato played the night before for Trinidad against Mexico…It was an interesting call letting him go so deep into the game when he was clearly run out just past the half. MPG looked off the pace of the game really rusty…missing a lot of passes he would normally make.
Quakes depth is paper thin, they can’t overcome international call ups and injuries…Bernardez going down was an absolute killer. Kudos to Curtain for taking out Le Flop for Casey. He immediately caused problems pairing with Sapong…JJ Koval, a 4th string back up Dmid, was the only option to fill in for Bernardez…a poor match against either Sapong or Casey physically and his back line naivete was a huge stressor..his tracking run actually kept Casey onside to score the winner. Strange, Jahn subbed in for the free kick, supposedly for aerial defending and never went over to pick up Casey…just a massive marking screw up by multiple players.
I’m guessing Wynne will need to slide into the middle at CB for Bernardez…very scary with Seattle at full strength coming in on the weekend for the playoff race death match…
Godoy is the key in the same way that Alonso is the key for Seattle. Having a player like him has really become a fundamental aspect of the game. Whether its Alashe or Pelosi next, he makes them look better. Both of those guys have promise though.
San Jose has done a HORRIBLE job of roster management. By far the worst in MLS. Pierazzi was brought in on a big salary and never plays. Not tough to figure out that a career Ligue 2 midfielder wouldn’t be a difference maker. Renato was considered a future national team defender in Portugal, but was constantly injured and has been since he arrived. Koval is hopeless. Unlike Thompson, when he goes on loan to Sacramento, he doesn’t impress. The same can be said of Jahn. I watched Sacramento beat Vancouver today and Sherrod is far better simply because he can actually outrace a slug. What’s scary is that Justin Braun is better than both of them. Fucito couldn’t start for Sacramento. Niassi has been dumped by how many teams now. He belongs in the USL too along with Stephenson, who at least used to be good. Why did they sign Berrera again. Anyone who saw him play at Chivas last year knows that he’s not a team players.
ALL of this is on Doyle and even more so on the clowns that hired and renewed him. Yep, I’m ranting because this shouldn’t be a “small” team. Lew Wolf just likes it that way. If Sacramento ever joins MLS they’ll spank San Jose by year two. I can see why Wolf’s flunky Kaval is concerned.
The lack of relegation keeps the investment of clubs like San Jose, Colorado and Philadelphia safe. When Wolf eventually sells the team, he or his family will make a killing.
Yeah, there is a ton of dead wood and crap multiple year contracts on the roster compliments of the worst GM in the league. JBP, a truly mind numbing selection. A career Dmid with 1 goal scored in 11 years is brought in, according to JD, to be the CAM and energize our attack. They’ve gone to great creative lengths to come up with “injury” excuses for him not being available. Currently both his heels are bruised..lol.
The only saving grace is Kinnear is pretty good at putting the pieces together. He’ll be calling the roster shots going forward. He’ll make sure his buddy gets in on the credit so it doesn’t look like he’s a complete millstone.
I think we’ll see a much better roster next season after Kinnear has had a chance to shape it.
A deserved win for Philadelphia. Credit to Curtin for scouting San Jose very well and taking their game away from them.
This match showed the value of Godoy. He should be the DP. Perez Garcia was anonymous and his passes were off the mark on the few occasions when he attempted one.
Getting across that line with 6 games left while Toronto & Montreal have 2 & 4 games in hand is a tough ask. It’s MLS so I’m not going to say that it’s not going to happen…. but, it’s not going to happen (btw I didn’t say that).
That being said (or not said), any momentum the Union can gain before the Open Cup is all good. I’m happy to see Big Mountain back on the field and scoring. He may be needed as a super sub against SKC!!
Hay fe…