C.J. Sapong responds to adversity
The Philadelphia Union's C.J. Sapong has had quite a year.
Sapong fractured his cheek bone in the first game of the season. About two months later he was arrested with a DUI and sent to rehab.
Now, just weeks later, he has tied the Union's franchise record of most consecutive games with a goal set by Montreal's Jack McInerney at four.
"He's doing a lot of the things that we brought him here to do," coach Jim Curtin said. "He had the little setback, I think he learned a lot from that."
This streak comes just after the Union defeated the Seattle Sounders, 1-0, at PPL Park on Wednesday night. Sapong scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute heading the ball past Sounders goalie Stefan Frei, off a lofted pass from Sheanon Williams.
"You can tell center backs can't stand playing against him," Curtin said. "He's a handful, he's a guy that is just tough to deal with."
Sapong made his return to the Union on May 24 in New York, when he came off the bench to score a big goal. Since then, Sapong has been focused on the game, according to Curtin.
"It sounds cheesy but he does have a different look in his eye," Curtin said. "There was a focus, a desire that, you took note of, and I think he's carried that now in every game."
And despite his past challenges, it's clear that Sapong is already moving forward and enjoying life on and off the field.
"I've been very aware of every moment and appreciated every moment," Sapong said. "Honestly I have no regrets, things happen in life… and I think it's about how you respond to the adversity."
He was the dominating offensive spark in the Union's win against the Sounders, playing a full 90 minutes and showing no signs of exhaustion.
"I feel really good," Sapong said on his stamina post-rehab. "When you're tapping into an energy that's just an all-appreciative and in-the-moment type of energy, it's very different. I was probably fitter in the beginning of the season but I don't think I could've gone this stretch of minutes without feeling heavy in the legs. I'm just riding the wave right now."
Being the Union's only healthy forward, Sapong's versatility on both sides of the field has been beneficial to the team. Curtin mentioned Sapong's value in the little aspects of the game such as his ability to give the team a breather when he has the ball up top without giving up turnovers, Curtin said.
"To see him running in the 90th minute there to close guys down and fight and get a piece of guys was exceptional," Curtin said. "(I'm) really happy for him. He's been through a lot this year and I think he's on pace to have a very good year in term of goal output."
The Union will take on Montreal on Saturday night where Sapong will have a chance to break McInerney's record on the field with him. But Sapong says he is only focused on one thing:
"At the end of the day, I just want to be on the field helping my team," Sapong said.
Twitter: @juliekayzerman