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CJ Sapong was traded to Chicago. In many ways, Sapong really represents everything that a Philly fan wants from a professional athlete. Fiercely competitive, high work rate, gives back to the community and a leader in the locker room. He was a fan favorite, as his name could be found on the backs of hundreds of supporters at the Talen Energy Stadium on match day. As we come back on some of his most special moments with a Union jersey, I think it's safe to say he'll miss a lot.
2015
From the outset, in the first game of his first season with the Union, Sapong showed that it was difficult in Philly and that he was suffering from a concussion and a stroke. a broken face. He ended up scoring his first goal for the Union (equalizing in the 86th minute against the NYCFC), his face still healing from his injury and wearing a mask. Overall, the season was mediocre for the Union, but they reached their second consecutive final of the US Open Cup. CJ finished the season with 9 goals and 4 badists, including two wins, one against Columbus and the only goal against Seattle in the Union's best win this season. CJ was arrested on charges of drunk driving and suspended for three games by the MLS in 2015, but was found not guilty by a court and equaled his mark of career goals (9).
2016
CJ appeared 31 times for a team from the Union who participated in the playoffs in 2016 for the third time in her history. It was a huge turnaround from penultimate year at the East Conference. Although CJ does not have the best statistics (7 wins in 2a and 2 victories in 31 appearances), he has always contributed in a sustained way to meetings for a much improved team of the Union. His best performance of the season was a 3-0 win over New England, where he scored his first double in a Union jersey.
2017
It was Sapong's career year. He scored 16 goals with 5 badists, and 2 goals in 33 appearances in the MLS, breaking LeToux Union's record of goals in one season (14) on the final day of the season with a doubled at a 6-1 crash in Orlando. Sapong also recorded the first and only sleight of his career, scoring the 3 goals of a 3-0 against Red Bull. He also had a brace in a 3-1 win against FC Dallas. Another highlight of the season was a crucial goal in a 2-2 draw with the eventual MLS Cup champion, Toronto. It was after this season that Sapong's contract was extended and he received a considerable increase, eventually playing a role in his departure.
2018
In 2018, Sapong unfortunately regressed as an attacker, scoring only 4 goals and bringing 3 badists in 32 appearances in the MLS. His best performance was in the first game of the season against New England, contributing to both goals in 2-0 with a goal and an badist. He did not find his goal to score the rest of the year. He eventually lost his place as an attacker against Corey Burke, but continued to make his contribution from the right wing. He played a key role in the lineup, helping the Union qualify for the Open Cup final, playing its fourth playoff game in the team's history and accumulating the most points. of the regular season. Fans were increasingly frustrated by his lack of goals, but he always patrolled the field aggressively, doing his best to play and coach.
The last season of Sapong in the jersey of the Union was by far its less productive. With the pbading of the Union formations to a 4-4-2, and no longer needing an isolated attacker-style holdup, Sapong has moved to the bottom from the table of depths this pre-season. His plunge coupled with his higher salary and increased competition for play time made him consumable for Ernst Tanner and co.
For the fans, he was an incredibly recognizable face. CJ has regularly participated in neighborhood events with the community. He was one of five players still in the running for the 2015 season (the others being Andre Blake, Warren Creavalle, Fabinho and Ray Gaddis). CJ has played 135 games with the Union in all competitions in his four seasons and was the main scorer of Jim Curtin's term as head coach.
Sapong's lasting legacy will be somewhat varied. Some will say that he was their favorite player, while others see in his term a case of mediocrity for the team. Whatever your point of view, Sapong leaves the Union as the second-leading scorer in the history of the team and as a player who will remain etched in the memories to embody the Philadelphia spirit. We wish him the best for his move to Chicago and hope that he will score many goals against DC and the two New York teams.
Leave your favorite CJ Sapong memory in the comments below.
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