CHESTER, Pa. - It took months of mediocrity and lack of production from the No. 10 spot for Union manager Jim Curtin to finally move away from Ilsinho and Roland Alberg and try something new.
In their places Saturday, in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire at Talen Energy Stadium, the Union tapped the athletic Warren Creavalle to protect the back line, which allowed playmakers Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya to be more flexible in how they attack the game.
"The best thing about the formation is there can be fluidity in it," Curtin said. "We thought, matchup-wise, he's been in good form and with what Chicago likes to do, we thought it was important to invert the triangle a little bit in some moments to get pressure to Dax McCarty, who is the engine of that team."
Although Curtin insisted it wasn't a formation change, saying, "it's still a 4-2-3-1," it was a breath of fresh air for a 9-12-9 team that needed a change. Ilsinho, who was out with Achilles tendinitis, and Alberg, who rode the bench for 90 minutes, entered Saturday with a combined seven goals and four assists.
"I think it worked well in terms of staying compact," Bedoya, who captured an assist, said. "They struggled all night to play balls in between the lines in the middle of us. I think we got some good goals off some good combinations in the midfield."
Curtin called it fluidity and Bedoya mentioned combinations. Creavalle continued that theme.
"I think it's providing that balance," he said. "Being able to help that back line and be able to connect them so they can make the game and have everybody connected."
Agony over for Pontius
After 27 games of pure agony, Chris Pontius finally scored.
"About six months too late," the Union's 2016 leading scorer said jokingly. "But no, it feels good. Nice to get a win. Came back to a nice crowd and a big three points for us."
Snapping the curse came easy against the Fire. Pontius potted his first two goals of the season Saturday - one was a header from a Keegan Rosenberry cross in the 10th minute, the other came off a rebound in the second half.
"It comes in bunches at times," Pontius said. "You feel like you can do everything right in a few games and then other games you're putting in so much effort and things just aren't falling for you. Certainly, confidence is a big key for that and it was nice to get one especially early in a game like this."
Record (almost) broken
With a second-half goal Saturday, C.J. Sapong nabbed his franchise-record tying 14th tally of the season. The total tied Union legend Sebastien Le Toux for most goals in a season, a mark set in the Union's expansion season of 2010.
"Well, for me, it means that I've been able to score," said Sapong, who was able to tap in a left-to-right cross from Fafa Picault along the goal line Saturday. "It's a number that shows I'm having an impact on the field for my team."
Without a strict No. 10 on the field for the Union and with right-wing Fabian Herbers injured all season with a sports hernia, service has been tough to come by for the Union. It's one reason Pontius struggled so mightily all year. It's possible that if the Union can find a skilled playmaker this offseason, Sapong could be set for an even more productive 2018 if he continues this form.
"The goals are a product of the guys getting him service," Curtin said of Sapong. "His movement on the night was good, we're happy with him and his individual accomplishments."
Elevated effort
All during the week, Curtin mentioned pride and jobs as two reasons the Union players would show up Saturday and compete. After crushing the Fire, 3-1, it's clear the club doesn't lack the proper motivation.
"If you're not putting the effort in," Pontius said, "you can be out of a job next year. I don't think there's any more motivation than you need right there."
Rosenberry mentioned another possible factor for the elevated effort.
"I don't think we're used to being counted on," he said. "Playing as an underdog is something we're used to and we're going to embrace that until the end and see where we can go."
Quote of the night
"Nope," Creavalle deadpanned after several silent seconds when asked if he was happy to see Pontius get a goal. "He's been working all year so I'm happy to see him get on the scoresheet. Keegan dropped him that dime so he has him to thank for that."
Stat of the night
2,024 Minutes - How long Pontius went without a goal this season (including U.S. Open Cup).
