CHESTER, Pa. -- When Zach Pfeffer entered a tie game midway through the second half Saturday, he not only helped create a flurry of chances for the Philadelphia Union but also came in with a message.
“I thought for sure a goal was coming,” Pfeffer told MLSsoccer.com. “I was telling C.J. [Sapong] the whole time, ‘We’re gonna get one, we’re gonna get one.’”
Instead, it was another second-half sub that made the difference as Patrick Mullins scored the 87th-minute winner to lead New York City FC to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the host Union.
But even though Philly's second goal never came, Pfeffer -- who Union head coach Jim Curtin said “gave the team great energy” off the bench -- remained just as confident after the game. So, too, did his teammates, the majority of whom seemed upbeat after a loss to the league’s worst team.
“We created some very good chances,” Pfeffer said. “Overall, I thought it was a very good performance still. There were many positives from that game. Overall the last five games we’ve been on a really good run. We have a lot of momentum. This is just a little bump. I don’t think it’s going to deter our momentum at all.”
The Union certainly had their chances, forcing NYCFC goalie Josh Saunders into six saves, finishing with 37 crosses and pushing the game for much of the second half after Philly's C.J. Sapong opened the scoring in the 46th minute.
But Curtin lamented that the “final ball” was lacking and was dismayed that so many good performances went to “waste,” including Brian Carroll, who he said “played one of the best games I’ve ever seen him play.”
Curtin also acknowledged that home losses like these will make the team’s hole that much deeper after such a slow start to the year
“After a run of good performances, I actually think was a good game but one we’re disappointed to leave with no points,” Curtin said. “It’s an empty feeling right now.”
Still, just like his players, Curtin took solace in the fact that things have seemed to click over the Union over the last five games -- a stretch that's included three wins and two losses they felt they were unlucky not to get a result in.
Captain Maurice Edu even said that he’s upset his team doesn’t have a league game for two weeks because “we’re enjoying our soccer high right now.”
“There are a lot of positives to take from this game,” Edu said. “We’ll be disappointed we didn’t win the game and with giving up a goal that late, especially at home. Other than that, I think we fought hard and you saw commitment from all the guys for a full 90 minutes.
“I think we’ve seen a lot of growth over the last few games. I think it’s important to keep moving forward and continue to build on what we’ve established and what we’ve built so far. I’m proud of this team.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
