Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Union stun KC without usual starters
With stars resting for cup final, backups snag 3 huge points
CHESTER » There were plenty of times during the 2018 season when Jay Simpson could’ve pocketed his paycheck (a princely one by MLS standards) and gone through the motions. There were times when he could’ve pointed out that the two strikers ahead of him were guaranteed less money combined this year than he would earn, and thus he deserved a chance to work for it.
By the admissions of teammates and coaches, however, the Englishman didn’t elect that path. Even as minutes failed to materialize over the weeks and months, Simpson was ever a diligent training participant, trying to help his teammates improve on the practice field while waiting for an opening. Sunday, in very British weather in Chester, that chance arrived. And Simpson grasped it with both hands.
The beleaguered striker, making his first start in more than 14 months, scored two goals to lead a team of mostly Union reserves to a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City.
“Delighted to get the goals,” Simpson said. “I think it was good movement from Ale (Bedoya) to pick me out, especially for the second goal. Just happy I was able to be in the right place at the right time.”
Simpson scored in the 71st and 89th minutes, sealing a day that was productive on two fronts for the Union (14-124, 46 points). Curtin rested the bulk of his starters for Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup final in Houston, challenging a hungry and refreshed B team to chase a result. They did just that, outplaying Western Conference-leading SKC (15-86, 51 points).
With the result, the Union head into the OC final confident, with six wins in the last eight games that included consecutive wins over the teams that beat them in their last two Open Cup finals. In the MLS playoff race, the Union solidified their grasp on fifth place in the East, six points clear of Montreal and 11 ahead of D.C. United with four to play. D.C. has two games in hand.
The Union also keep the pressure on fourth-place Columbus, which they visit Saturday. The latest installment of their run was mostly down to Simpson, and the root of his success stems from the many mundane working days long before Sunday.
“I feel like I’m an honest player,” Simpson said. “I come in every day. I work hard. I work my (butt) off every day. You put in the hours and obviously hope to be involved. When you’re not, it’s disappointing. I’ve got a lot of supportive teammates around me that help to keep me going. I spend a lot of time talking with Coach Dick (Schreuder). He’s helped me a lot throughout the season. He’s helped me stay focused. Days when you’re coming in and feeling down, he’s always been around me to help pick me up.”
“First thing I said to him after he scored that goal was I’m so happy for you,” Bedoya said. “It’s so easy to come into training and sulk and clock in, clock out. But he freaking works his (butt) off in training every day. He’s always grinding no matter what. For a guy who hasn’t seen much of the field during his tenure here, mentally he’s stayed in it.
“That’s a credit to him, and the locker room we have, the morale we have in here and the relationships we have with each other. I couldn’t be happier for him because he’s the type of guy who’s given it his all in every training session.”
Simpson hadn’t started since July 22, 2017. He’d logged just 41 MLS minutes this season, despite then-sporting director Earnie Stewart billing him as a big-name signing when he arrived. Sunday’s goals don’t fundamentally change that narrative, but it softens the emotions read into it.
Auston Trusty, one of the few regulars to start, thereby continuing his minutes-played streak this season, lumped a long free kick to Bedoya on the right wing in the 71st. The sub headed a pass back to Simpson, left alone near the penalty spot, to volley home a pristine finish.
Eighteen minutes later, fellow sub Fafa Picault sprang Bedoya with a stellar, quickly curled left-footed cross that caught the backline off guard and left Bedoya 2-on-1 with keeper Tim Melia. Bedoya unselfishly chested down to Simpson to finish his brace, his sixth assist of the season.