CHESTER, Pa. -- It took 18 minutes for Union forward C.J. Sapong to open his 2016 scoring account and 33 minutes for him to double it, as the Union took down the New England Revolution, 3-0, Sunday afternoon at Talen Energy Stadium (see game story).
Still, Sapong wanted more.
"I'm always extra critical," said Sapong, who had nine goals 20 starts last season. "I could have had four today. It's all good. It's a good statement at home."
Sapong's elevated game, which gave the Union two wins in their first three games for the first time since 2011, garnered the praise of his teammates, who leaned heavily on the forward in the final third.
"Magnificent," Union midfielder Roland Alberg said. "What a striker. Two goals, it was very important for us. He can hold the ball, he can score, he's good header. He's very important for us."
But Sapong alone isn't catapulting the Union into relevancy. Against the Columbus Crew last week, Chris Pontius played the hero, burying a pair of goals in a 2-1 Union victory. It was the first time the Union have earned back-to-back two-goal performances since Conor Casey did it in 2014.
Yet, Pontius shrugged off the idea the Union are now a two-headed monster.
"It's not a two strike attack, we have four, five, six players that can come in and change a game," he said. "That's the dangerous part of it, you can't focus on a couple players."
Off to a good start
It took until the 12th game of the season in each of the last two years for the Union to capture two wins. In 2016, it took just three games.
"The past is gone," Curtin said. "We thought it was critical to have a good start, I think Earnie coming in and laying a good foundation with the group, setting a higher standard."
But Curtin also made clear that the team isn't satisfied just yet.
"Our attention to detail is better, and I think you are seeing that on the field," he said. "We are better now than last year, but that's not saying much because last year we were bad."
Albert getting time
After spot work in the Union's first two games, Alberg played 58 minutes at the center attacking midfield spot Sunday. It was a big step in the Dutch player's transition to MLS and integration within the Union.
"It's a hard competition," said Alberg, who played 15 and 30 minutes against FC Dallas and Columbus. "It's different than Europe or in the Netherlands. I like it so far."
While Alberg got his feet wet Sunday, Curtin wants the team to work the ball through him with more regularity. Alberg is a shooter by nature but has no shots on goal in three games.
"We didn't set him up as much as I would have liked," Curtin said. "If he gets a shot on goal or open look, he hits the ball as hard as anyone I've seen. At the same time, it's a very good first performance from him."
