Conor Casey Turns Back the Clock as Union Pick up Shock Win in San Jose

from:PhiladelphiaUnion.com

The Philadelphia Union had never won in San Jose, in fact, they had never even scored a goal.

They just completed a home loss to New England in which they were shut out and the playoffs seemed out of reach particularly with the Montreal Impact’s win over Chicago earlier in the day.

Then, a goalless first half in which the Union actually created chances seemed to buoy the visitors’ spirits.

The hopes seemed dashed when U.S.A. international Chris Wondolowski took his penalty after an odd, but clear handball offense, to give the Earthquakes a 1-0 lead.

The Union then turned to Conor Casey who has been basically an afterthought this season.

Subbing on for Sebastien Le Toux in the 71st minute, Jim Curtin seemed to be grasping at straws.

However, the veteran striker came up with a world-class header in the 74th minute, and completed his brace with a glancing header off a free kick in the 85th minute to give the Union the lead.

The Union held on for the game’s waning moments and vaulted up to 7th just a point behind Montreal Impact in the MLS’s Eastern Conference.

The decision to go to Casey changed the Union’s shape from an attack from the flanks, to an attack through the middle which caught San Jose off guard.

Barnetta was also deployed centrally and was very effective throughout the match going the full 90 for the first time in a Union shirt.