Union Takes Two – Beating Nashville with Gazdag’s Hat Trick, 3-0

Chester, PA

July 20, 2024

Inspired by Tai Baribo’s hat trick against New England, Philadelphia’s Dániel Gazdag had one of his own against Nashville SC Saturday night, with the Philadelphia Union ending up the 3-0 victor over a struggling Nashville team. Gazdag’s first goal came early – in the 10th minute – when Quinn Sullivan set up the play with a pass to Leon Flach, who passed through to Gazdag.  Although the crowd thought the shot not hard enough, Gazdag artfully, but softly, lofted the shot over Nashville’s keeper Joe Willis.  His second on the night occurred in the 38th minute when Mikael Uhre flicked the ball  through to a seemingly offside Gazdag, who shot left past Willis.  It turned out that Gazdag’s position on Uhre’s pass simply was well timed.  At the half, the score was 2-0 in Philadelphia’s favor.

Philadelphia reverted to a defensive posture for much of the second half.   But late in the 88th minute, Gazdag put a press on Nashville’s Brent Kallman who had retreated with the ball into the box.  Kallman slipped and Gazdag retrieved the ball while Kallman was down.  With no defenders near to help, the keeper came out on Gazdag.  Gazdag methodically maneuvered the ball around Willis and scored his third for the hat trick.

Perhaps the night belonged to Gazdag, but enough cannot be said about the return of Philadelphia’s goalkeeper Andre Blake.  With two exceptional saves and one that bounced off the cross-bar, the scoreline might well have been different without Blake.

Fans at the game had a preview of Philadelphia’s newest acquisition from St. Louis, Samuel Adeniran.  Although he had minimal training with the team, Adeniran made an impact with headers, shot thrice and easily was able to play the full field.  Once he adjusts to the team, good things should follow from Adeniran.

Photographs of the game appear below:

Philadelphia’s Damion Lowe draped, but not touching, Nashville’s Hang Muktar.   Coach Jim Curtin alternated starting Quinn Sullivan and Alejandro Bedoya at midfield in the last two games.The Union’s José Martínez has been massive after his return from Copa America duty for Venezuela.Adeniran, the Union’s new acquisition, looks to win most of his aerial encounters. Gazdag directs the ball past Willis’s last ditch dive for the hat trick.