Two second-half goals lift Union to 2-0 win
It didn't take Roland Alberg long to make an impact for the Union. Inserted in the 65th minute, Alberg ripped a shot from just outside the box in the 67th minute to open the scoring in a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City Saturday night before 17,911 at Talen Energy Stadium.
It didn't take Roland Alberg long to make an impact for the Union. Inserted in the 65th minute, Alberg ripped a shot from just outside the box in the 67th minute to open the scoring in a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City Saturday night before 17,911 at Talen Energy Stadium.
It was the ninth goal of the season for Alberg, who had just replaced Fabian Herbers.
For good measure Alberg assisted on Tranquillo Barnetta's goal in second-half stoppage time.
The Union played a man up from the 59th minute, when SKC midfielder Jimmy Medranda earned his second yellow card of the game.
Alberg almost had another goal in the 84th minute. SKC keeper Alec Kann made a diving save as Alberg one-timed a Charlie Davies cross from in front of the goal.
After starting seven straight games, Alberg didn't play Aug. 6 at D.C. United and was used as a reserve the last four games. He doesn't hide the fact that he'd rather not come off the bench.
"Every player wants to play as a starter and me too, but it is a long season, the playoffs are coming too, and I have to be patient," Alberg said.
Those playoffs could include the Union for the second time in their seven-year history.
The Union are 11-9-7 for 40 points. They moved into third place in the Eastern Conference, where the top six teams will qualify for the playoffs. SKC fell to 11-12-5.
With seven games left, the Union have topped their point total of last year (37).
For now Alberg has to be satisfied with providing instant offense.
"You have to give him credit, he hasn't put his head down and I think he has worked harder in games and training, especially on the defensive side," Union coach Jim Curtin said.
That could be true, but defense isn't his forte. Entering a man up plays to Alberg's skills.
"I can play my own game," Alberg said.
The Union earned a two-man advantage in the 87th minute, when SKC's Roger Espinoza received a red card for a hit against Alberg. Actually, it was a top acting performance by Alberg, who wasn't hit hard. Even a yellow might have been too harsh.
After Barnetta scored, SKC was thwarted by Union keeper Andre Blake, who tapped a Dom Dwyer header off the crossbar and then batted the rebound out of harm's way.
"The one that hit the post, I could have dealt with it a little better, but at the end of the day it didn't go in and I am thankful of that," Blake said.
This wasn't quite the classic the teams played the last time they met - in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup championship game. In that game, visiting Sporting Kansas City won 7-6 in penalty kicks after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through regulation and overtime.
Still, the Union have continued to enhance their resumé for the postseason, improving to 8-3-3 at home.
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