CHESTER, Pa. – Shortly after the Philadelphia Union’s 2-1 loss on Saturday, C.J. Sapong waxed poetic in the locker room about what it’s like to be an MLS striker.
“As a forward, you kind of deal with the ebbs and flows of the game,” he said. “Kind of like life, you know.”
Sapong knows.
In the past couple of months alone, the Union forward has dealt with tough setbacks on the field and bigger ones off it, suffering a concussion and facial fracture in his first game with Philly before missing three games last month while undergoing an assessment by MLS’ Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health (SABH) program following a DUI arrest.
But since returning from his league-mandated rehab stint in California, Sapong has seemed rejuvenated, scoring goals in three of his last four games – just like he promised he teammates.
“He said he was going to come back and repay us through his performances, and he’s done just that,” captain Maurice Edu told MLSsoccer.com. “C.J.’s a very likable guy, a guy who’s very popular in the dressing room. We all believe in him and his quality, and we know what he brings to this team. And he’s showing it.”
In his first three games back, Sapong came off the bench and got into the right place to score tap-in goals in big wins over the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC.
But with the rest of the team’s forwards – Fernando Aristeguieta, Conor Casey and Antoine Hoppenot – all out injured Saturday, Sapong not only got the start as the team’s lone forward vs. NYCFC, but also had to play a full 90 minutes.
And he certainly did a solid job in that role, staking Philly to a 1-0 lead early in the second half when he controlled a Sebastien Le Toux corner kick and fired one into the corner of the net.
“I think he fits there perfectly,” midfielder Zach Pfeffer said. “He’s a big body, he’s got good speed, good strength and he’s good on the ball. He knows how to really hold the ball well. And once he lays it off, he gets himself in the box in good goal-scoring positions. That’s exactly what you want in that position. He does that to a tee.”
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Sapong now has a team-leading four goals in just 469 minutes – which, considering the bumpiness of his season, is a testament to how well he’s played in recent weeks. But Sapong also knows better than most that good things don’t always last, so he’s planning to enjoy this hot streak while it lasts.
“When it’s flowing, you’ve just got to make it last as long as possible because you know that it won’t last forever,” he said. “That’s the mode I’m in right now. I’m just enjoying myself every time I step on the field. And my teammates are putting the balls in the right places for me to capitalize.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Philadelphia Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
