CHESTER, Pa. -- A bloody and battered Chris Pontius opened scoring and C.J. Sapong finished it, as the Union easily defeated befuddled New York City FC, 2-0, on a picture-perfect Saturday at Talen Energy Stadium.
The Union continued their run at the Eastern Conference lead by pushing their record to 4-3-0, and an impressive 3-0-0 at home. The Union have won a club record fifth straight home game.
“It’s a good start to the year,” said Union manager Jim Curtin. “We knew it was important to have a good start. We had a lot of positive changes in the organization and now we’re seeing the results. They’ve really bought in and they deserve a lot of credit.”
The situation isn’t as rosy for NYCFC, which falls to a paltry 1-3-3 on the season.
“I personally believe we dominated the game,” said NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira. “I personally believe we created enough chances to score goals. But we weren’t ruthless enough in front of the goal to put the ball in the back of the net.”
Andre Blake finished with the one-save shutout — his second in seven starts. The visitors struggled all game to break down the young Union center back duo of Josh Yaro and Richie Marquez. Led by shot-happy David Villa, NYCFC attempted 13 total shots with only one hitting frame.
“It wasn’t a busy day but I’ll take it,” Blake said. “Just to be back there making sure everything is OK, I’ll take it all day.”
Midway through the first half, Pontius received a cut on his right cheekbone that wouldn’t stop bleeding, causing the veteran to leave the field to get patched up. The injury put the Union down a man, and they almost paid for it in the 25th minute. Accepting a quick pass in the box, Villa got the chance of the half for his club, pushing a strong shot that rocked off the crossbar and stayed out.
“He’s a special player,” Pontius said. “He’s going to get his shots off. Thankfully none of them touched the net.”
Feeding off the close call, Pontius entered the game and made an instant impact. In the 26th minute, Tranquillo Barnetta, moving with possession toward the right goal line, made a right-footed cross to Pontius, who buried a one-touch redirection goal for the 1-0 Union lead.
“I was anxious on the sideline to get back in the game,” said Pontius, who said Khiry Shelton incidentally elbowed him while in stride. “It’s just one of those things where you have to be patient.”
It was Pontius’ third goal of the season. However, Curtin was more impressed with the cut, which had to be glued shut after the final whistle.
“That was a hockey cut,” the manager said. “Good size gash.”
In the 41st minute, the Union made it 2-0 with an impressive give-and-go combination play. Accepting a lofty pass, Sapong chipped the ball back to a wide open Sebastien Le Toux, situated on the right wing. Le Toux immediately fired off a low grounder that Sapong tipped with a back-heel deflection past Josh Saunders for the 2-0 Union lead.
The goal was Sapong’s team-leading fourth of the season.
“I figured, the way it was coming back to him, to get in a good spot,” Sapong said. “That’s all I tried to do. He hit it right to me. Those are the goals I like scoring.”
Union left back Fabinho was slapped with his fifth yellow card of the season in the 36th minute, earning him a yellow card accumulation suspension. He will miss next Saturday’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes. Ray Gaddis replaced Fabinho at the half.
“I’m more happy right now about the shutout,” Gaddis said. “Richie Marquez, Keegan Rosenberry, Andre Blake -- the whole back line. All the guys played well.”