This past Saturday the Union hosted Toronto FC in one of the most nerve-racking, yet exciting games this season. With the eastern conference being so tight, and only a 12 point differential between first and eighth place, every game is crucial. It was a close game but the Union won 1-0 and grasped a playoff position for another week.
Going into this game, the Union had been pushed back into 7th place due to the Chicago Fire’s win Friday night, and New England Revolution’s tie against the Red Bulls. A win for the Union was not only important but necessary. John Hackworth put out the usual starting eleven, the same starting eleven who managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City the previous week. The confidence earned in the win over K.C. must have carried over to the Toronto match as the Union played with confidence the entire game, especially Zac MacMath who earned his 12th shutout of the season.
The first half was rather boring with few scoring opportunities for either team. With little success in the first 45 minutes, Union fans couldn’t help but worry if the team was capable of getting the result.
The second half saw more goal scoring opportunities for the Union thanks in part to Antoine Hoppenot. Subbed on in the 57’ for the still struggling Jack McInerny, Hoppenot’s first opportunity came in the 59th minute after Danny Cruz gained possession at midfield and carried the ball up. Hoppenot made a cutting run into the box and Cruz laid the ball off to him. With two steps, Hoppenot was clear of defenders and shot the ball to the right of the net, nearly scored, but the ball deflected off the post.
Hoppenot’s second chance came in the 65th minute when Fabinho played a skillful cross into the net. The ball was played down by two Toronto defenders right to the feet to Hoppenot who was right in front of goal. Leaning too far back on his shot, Hoppenot sent the ball flying over the crossbar. Despite struggling to score he had many opportunities which shows improvement of the young player.
The game took a turn for the worse in the 75th minute when Fabinho, a valuable asset to the team, was red carded and sent off. The call was well deserved in my opinion. Although Fabinho was taken down by Alvaro Rey in a dirty tackle, it was what he did afterwards that made him subject to a red card. After both players went down, Fabinho stood and tried to get the ball from Rey, kicking at him several times while he remained down.
With the Union now down, 10 men. Hackworth needed to make a substitution to change the game and couldn’t have made a better one bringing in Jose Kleberson for Danny Cruz in the 79th minute.
A climatic play was made by defender Ray Gaddis in the 86th minute. The Union had been positioned far upward in an offensive style of play to try to gain 3 points. Gaddis had been the only player playing back. The ball was sent back to him and he played it right back to Toronto. It then became a two on one situation forcing Gaddis to sprint to catch up to the Toronto forwards. He played excellent one-on-one defense and swept the ball right from Robert Earnshaw in the box.
Then in the 93rd minute. Hoppenot was brought down just outside the box and the Union were rewarded with a free kick. Kleberson stepped up to take the kick. He sent a world-class shot into the back of the net, securing the Union lead in the final minutes of the game. The crowd gathered at PPL Park went mental.
And so the Union are back in playoff position. Kleberson proved he deserves playing time, and hopefully we will see him in the game next week against DC, as the Union will be without Fabinho.
