Philadelphia Union: Curtin, Sapong, Ilsinho, and McCarthy make MLS Team of the Week

The Philadelphia Union have performed well, and now their performance has been recognized.

It is not often that almost a third of Major League Soccer’s Team of the Week comes from one team, but after the Philadelphia Union’s performance against FC Dallas three players and Manager Jim Curtin have all been named to the squad.

On the player side, striker CJ Sapong, attacking midfielder Ilsinho, and goalkeeper John McCarthy all made the Team of the Week. After a great game from all three, it is no surprise to see them make the squad.

CJ Sapong put the ball into the back of the net twice and was a big part of the Philadelphia Union play. The Union striker now has 12 goals on the season and is a big part of their offensive output.

For the first time in his career he has managed to score double digit goals, and his brace on Saturday night puts him in a tie for fourth in Major League Soccer’s Golden Boot race.

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A big part of the success of the Union offense in this game was Ilsinho. The Brazilian midfielder had a secondary assist on a brilliant backheel to Haris Medunjanin on Sapong’s opening goal.

His second assist came on the third goal after a saved shot by Dallas Goalkeeper Chris Seitz, as he assisted to Sapong for a second goal. Between those two bookends Ilsinho scored a goal of his own. On a long throw in from the right he was the first to the ball and had a nice long shot that beat Seitz as well.

John McCarthy was also impressive on the day. He managed one of the best performances on the season for a Union Goalkeeper. In just his 6^th start of the season McCarthy continued to so his capabilities as a keeper making many in Philadelphia feel like life after Andre Blake eventually leaves for Europe may not be bad.

McCarthy also was a big part in the first Video Assistant Refereeing call in MLS with a Dallas goal being called back on a foul on him. He did ultimately let in one goal, but throughout the game he was on top of the Dallas attack.

Jim Curtin continues to use much the same lineup as he has for most of the season. While the defense continues to look likely to concede with goalie play and deep-lying center backs it continues to be impressive at home.

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He also continues to trust his wingers which appears to help the team’s cohesive nature each game. His substitutions in this game helped the Union keep pace with their opponents and thwart any potential comebacks.

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