⚽️ Second Half Letdown vs Cincinnati

_{LAST MATCH: Union 2 - FC Cincinnati 2}

_{NEXT MATCH: vs. Charlotte FC, Wednesday, September 20 | Apple TV - Free}

Good morning. A 2-2 draw with FC Cincinnati is a result you would’ve accepted going into Saturday’s game. A 2-2 draw after a 2-0 halftime lead? Not so much.

Updated standings:

In the email today:

In a measuring stick game that could decide the Eastern Conference, the Union and FC Cincinnati gave a glimpse of the strategical battle of two of the league’s best sides.

The Union found the net early on another Jose Martinez wonder strike, and they doubled the lead later on a Daniel Gazdag penalty. Despite Cincinnati holding the ball more in the first half and creating better chances, the Union’s disruption and counter method worked.

The second half changed with the introduction of Cincy’s latest DP signing Aaron Boupendza, who torched the Union backline with a goal and an assist to pull the visitors back. If not for a late second yellow by Yerson Mosquera, the Union appeared headed for an eventual loss as Cincy controlled the action late with an enormous amount of pressure in the Union back third.

The result was fair, but the Union gained no ground on the league leaders while wins by Orlando City and Atlanta added to the congestion for second in the East.

• Daniel Gazdag became the first player in MLS history to convert 10 penalty kicks in a season. His PK put the Union up 2-0 in the 37th minute.

• Jack Elliott was sent off with a second yellow card in the fourth minute of stoppage time. He’ll miss the Wednesday game in Charlotte.

• Jakob Glesnes became the second outfield player in MLS history to start 100 consecutive MLS matches.

Our take: Fans in The River End were chanting “overrated” as FC Cincinnati left the field after the first half. The chant felt like an overconfident mistake the way the second half unfolded.

2) 📈 Player Grades

• 🧤🧤Andre Blake: A
  He made the saves he’s supposed to make as well as a couple brilliant ones. Not sure he could have done anything on either goal. Boupendza was free for a tap in from the six, and Vazquez’s shot deflected over him.

• 🚀 Jakob Glesnes: A-
  Glesnes kept the ball well and handled the box with ease. His lack of pace is a little more exposed on the outside of a back three, and he was beat behind on the second Cincinnati goal.

• 📌 Jack Elliot: A-
  He had his hands full with Santos in the first half but managed to keep him in check. The second half, the Union defense lost the handle and were beaten twice. He was slow to step on the first goal, which led to a quick touch to spring Yuya Kubo. His second yellow was debatable, and he was unfortunate to have been sent off.

• 🇯🇲 Damion Lowe: B
  Lowe brought a level of tenacity that made a difference. He was strong in the attacking end on free kicks and corners. On the first goal, he was out of position, not the first time, exposing Wagner with Boupendza. On the second, he was beaten to the spot by Vazquez but unlucky that his block caromed over Blake.

• 📐 Kai Wagner: B+
  Kept in check offensively for much of the game but had a few good free kicks and corners. Played a great entry pass to Gazdag for what became the drawn penalty to put the Union up two goals but was beaten by Boupendza on the first goal. Won the matchup with Santiago Arias rather easily.

• 🪨 Nathan Harriel: A
  Defensively, Harriel did a solid job keeping Alvaro Barreal in check. He made some fantastic runs down the right side and never received the ball and did play a few dangerous crosses into the box with no Union players attacking the goal.

• 🪄Jose Martinez: A
  Scored a beautiful goal from distance to give the Union a 1-0 lead. He also controlled the midfield in the first half but came out flat to start the second. Once he left the pitch, the Union lost the midfield.

• 👨‍🎨 Jack McGlynn: B
  Controlled the ball in the first half and set up Martinez’s goal but was exposed in the second once Cincinnati gained momentum. His one-on-one matchup with Nwobodo was very one-sided.

• 🇭🇺 Daniel Gazdag: B+
  Scored his league-leading 10th penalty to put the Union up 2-0. He found the ball in some good spaces in the first half and was able to create. Defensively, he wasn’t able to establish a press and force turnovers.

• 🧱 Mikael Uhre: B
  He made a few good runs in behind but too often looked for the home run pass instead a linking ball in front of the backs. His press has been really nonexistent as of late.

• 🚦Julian Carranza: B
  Spent much of the first half trying to draw cheap fouls. Was beaten by pace often yet gave the Union the most defensively among the front three. His giveaway led to the second goal.

3) 🪭 Tweet of the Day: First 2-0 Lead Blown in How Long?

That bad taste in your mouth still from the result Saturday? It’s been a while.

4) 💧 Water Cooler: What’s More Important

Have additional thoughts? Reply directly to this email to comment, and see if we include your response tomorrow.

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Results from our last poll: Should Messi Be Considered for MLS MVP? No with 93 percent of the vote.

5) 🔗 Link Roundup:

• 🎈Despite the importance of the game, it still felt secondary to the cause being celebrated on Kick Childhood Cancer night. The Union’s Fearless 43 were celebrated with an incredible halftime display in the River End and Phang’s birthday with his mascot friends only added to the kid-friendly festivities.

• 🐍 🐍 Union II really needed a win on Sunday and they came through with a 2-1 victory over Huntsville City FC in a chippy affair that saw both teams play out the game with 10 men. The win puts U2 above the playoff line with Sunday’s game at Red Bull left.

• 📺 Todd Lewis of The Free Kick breaks down the goals from Saturday’s match.

The newsletter today was written by: Matt Ralph @MattRalph_, Greg Oldfield @GregOldfield21

Thanks for reading!