FCC v Union
We were present for both teams last games. In Foxboro for the Union, they played very well facing the Revs at home. FCC did not look good facing Red Bull at RBA, if not for a defensive error and a slip, their tying goal does not happen. Both teams are down a number of players, it will be interesting. Both teams have local ties, Union have the defender Jack McGlynn of Queens, FCC, executives Freeman and Sunderland, one a past Cosmos player and the other out of Massapequa. FCC also has a 2nd generation pro in Pinto and the suspended Miazga, a past member of NYRB and out of NJ, sitting due to yellow cards in the Red Bull game.
FCC with great ball movement at the top of area, the shot is right at Blake. Acosta over the ball for a DFK just below the center circle, but off to the side. Lowe of Union carded at 11’ on Acosta at 11’. FCC corner as a player miss kicks and a battle for Blake with Vazquez for the ball. Over the end line again for a corner Blake punches it not beyond the area crossed in by Acosta, out for a throw. So many deep restarts will hurt and another one just few up the touchline. Handball just beyond the area on Kubo McGlynn of Middle Village over the ball with others. Into the wall, back to him, lofted it to the 6 only the GK there. Again not a shot taken by FCC. Union the other way and the backline stayed strong for Gazdag. Gazdag inside but Bedoya dummies and the one behind him has no play on the ball. Martinez, a great lead ball then FCC breaks it up and out, Union throw. Martinez with a penetrating pass off the defense for a Union throw. McGlynn grabs up an errant pass it gets through a few and a Union corner, #1 for the game. Gazdag finds Harriel and he goes over the frame. Vazquesz with too much on the ball and his shot is deflected wide. Gaddis carded at 30’ as he leveled Harriel. McGlynn for another corner. FCC with a break and a long distance shot from well beyond the area was on frame end steered wide by Blake. Elliott partially clears, sent in again for a goal kick. McGlynn, what a ball for Uhre, wow, was that table ever set. Acosta across the area no shot. Uhre taken off the ball. Martinez from a distance Celentano gets it, no issue. Uhre takes his player down from behind.
Corranza just wide on a shot, near post with a nice ball over the top but he was most likely offside. Elliott uses all the inches of his height to get to a ball in the area nudging it out and FCC gets it back. Caution to Carranza on Mosquera after the ball left. Again FCC lots of possession in front of the net no shots? They heard me, a shot right off a corner in the area by Powell is blocked. McGlynn finds Martinez, but a poor ball back across. McGlynn just described as having a cultured left foot, not bad for a 20 year old. Carranza getting rough not good with a card already at 58’. Now they bring up an “alleged” incident with Miazga. Well we have gone over this enough. The Union putting on a passing demo now. A blocked shot and Mosquera goes to Caraanza who does lift his elbow but Mosquera trying to get him removed, drops, he was not hit in the head, no red but why no yellow for embellishment? Short corner, back to Jack in again and Kubo has it. Lowe heads a ball out and gets in a somersault. McGlynn gets the lead foot of Boupendza and the foul. The ball over the top grabbed off a head by Blake. McGlynn holds off an attacker a few times then lays it back. Last two possessions by Union, they lost the ball under no pressure, not how to win a tied playoff game with just over 15’ to play. McGlynn leads Uhre, who loses it at the corner flag. Boupendza fouls Martinez, carded for it. Martinez remains down. He took a hard blow to the side of his shin. Bueno set to come on for Martinez. The trainer for the Union has just been carded, nothing new, see NYCFC. Harriel leads Vasquez but its cleared they get it back again Vazquez, wins a corner off the long leg of Elliott, corner by Acosta. They are on their feet at the Bailey. Celentano for Murphy battles, losses it then to Acosta down field but coughed up, Union ball. Union in the area Carranaza has his shot blocked over the end line, McGlynn of course. Harriel fed by Bedoya tremendous save by Celentano. Union still have it, Elliott puts it way out of play. Vazquez fouled within striking distance for Acosta by Elliott, first sub is for FCC Badji for Boudpenza. Barreal over the ball and is headed down then cleared by Lowe, Powell puts it out of touch for a FCC throw by Gaddis. Badji can’t get a shot off, Lowe plays it out to Moreno now as we enter injury time, Acosta fouled just beyond the area. There will be 6’of injury time as a pair await to take it for the home side, Barreal wide of the near post into the field signs. Badji fouled just below the center circle not a dangerous position for a shot but for a ball to be played on? Played square then on into the area, Murphy heads it to Mosquera at 3:30 of the 6’ in stoppage time, he makes no mistake and buries it. VAR shows it close, I say it’s good by the player’s arm, not enough but if so close, who knows if a playable body part kept him on as well in a poor angle, the talking heads say he is off, the goal stands. A frantic last few minutes from Union expected. Acosta finds Vazquez, his shot low to the near post parried away. Sullivan and Donovan on for the Union, it just got a lot more Irish in there or not as McGlynn is out.