Union takeaways: Chris Donovan helps Union secure victory, Andre Blake makes return to lineup

Without suspended top scorer Julián Carranza, the Union found scoring in unlikely places Saturday night to defeat New York City FC at Subaru Park, 2-1.

José Andrés Martínez’s first half goal was just his second of the season, while Chris Donovan’s eventual game-winner in the second half was the first of the 22-year old’s MLS career.

“I was hoping that my first MLS goal would be here,” Donovan said.

Donovan, who played collegiately at Drexel, helped the Union secure a fifth straight victory (including playoffs) against NYCFC, including their second win against the rival club this season. The Union extend their regular season unbeaten streak at Subaru Park to eight matches.

The Union’s star goalkeeper Andre Blake made his return to the lineup for the first time since June 10. Blake had been busy captaining Jamaica to the semifinal of the Concacaf Gold Cup, and Jamaica’s loss to Mexico on Wednesday allowed Blake to suit up once again at Subaru Park.

“We get him back, and it’s pretty seamless,” said Union coach Jim Curtin. “He jumps in the goal, makes big saves when we need it. I thought tonight, we did a good job as a team, really limiting New York City.”

Saturday’s start also marked Blake’s 221st regular season game played with the Union, tying former Union defender Ray Gaddis for most in club history.

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Blake made his renewed presence felt early, denying a free kick that was headed on goal by NYCFC’s Keaton Parks in the 20th minute.

The Union struck first when Martínez darted forward and buried a cross from Quinn Sullivan past NYCFC keeper Luis Barraza. The midfielder gave the Union a 1-0 lead at the half.

“I think the hard work that I put in, and I give it my all, and knowing that I have the support of the fans is amazing,” Martínez said via an interpreter. “I was not expecting that at all, but I’m extremely thankful. As long as I’m here in Philadelphia, I’m gonna give it my all for the fans.”

The Union attack was without its leading scorer on Saturday after Carranza received a red card for violent conduct at the end of Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Nashville.

Curtin also subbed captain Alejandro Bedoya, with Jesus Bueno entering the game to replace him in the 26th minute. The midfielder left the pitch with a quad injury that nagged him earlier this season.

“Our group, third game of the week, had a little bit of rotation,” Curtin said. “I thought we had some really big performances from guys. Obviously difficult to lose Ale, and obviously be short handed with Julián with the red card. But again, this group is such a strong cohesive unit that the next guy always steps up.”

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A strong showing against Nashville earned 19-year old Quinn Sullivan the start on Saturday in Carranza’s place.

“I thought Quinn gave us good minutes again too,” Curtin said. “Really worked his tail off, and found some tough spaces and created a lot of havoc and had a great assist. So, good performance from the young guys for sure.”

Sullivan did have a miscue in the second half. After finding himself double teamed by two NYCFC defenders, he passed the ball directly to a wide open NYCFC player. The Union quickly regained possession, however, so the damage was minimal.

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Sullivan was subbed off for Donovan in the 75th minute of the game. In the 81st minute, Donovan dribbled the ball out of reach of an NYCFC defender and a diving Barraza to find himself alone in front of the empty goal for an easy tap-in, the first league goal of his career.

“It’s always easier, the less minutes you have in your legs,” Donovan said. “The instructions when you go in, are just run, do the extra work, because you know, Danny [Gazdag] and Mikael [Uhre] might be tired because they’ve been playing 70 minutes already, so I just had to do a little extra, and it paid off.”

Donovan’s goal proved crucial to the Union victory, as NYCFC quickly rebounded with a strike from Andres Jassan to cut the Union lead in half. Blake fended off several dangerous chances in added time to help the Union hang onto the win.

“We scored a scrappy goal by Chris, just by you know, back pressure, and working hard,” Curtin said. “Sometimes in this game, you get rewarded. The harder you work, I just always say good things happen. And that was a good goal for Chris.”