So here we are.
Week five of the Philadelphia Union Top 10; for the past month, you our supporters have chosen which of the 10 best moments from the 2013 season move on to the “Final Five,” where you will have a chance to rank them in order.
Last week, we paired Sheanon Williams’ side volley that sparked a 3-0 win over Columbus against Antoine Hoppenot’s game winner against Vancouver courtesy of a well-placed back heel from fellow forward Aaron Wheeler.
With nearly 60 percent of the vote, it was the Wheeler to Hoppenot connection that will move on to be selected among our three previous week’s winners.
This week it’s a pair of McInerney moments that dazzled. The first one is all McInerney and the second is the forward making quick work of a smart play. Check these out and vote on your favorite. Remember before the start of season No. 5 we are also taking a look back in the club’s short history. For participating in #UnionTop10, one lucky fan will receive a commemorative Union jersey from the inaugural season. So vote…and tell us why and we could be sending you a piece of nostalgia.
Jack splits two vs. D.C. United (April 21)
It took seven minutes. This was a game that all week you could almost feel the intensity brewing, fueled by comments in the press from United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who told the Washington Post that his team needed three points and that against the Union they were going to get it. McInerney had other plans with his first of two on the day, taking a pass just below midfield from Conor Casey, splitting a pair of D.C. defenders and…
The best part of that run has to be McInerney leaving United’s Dejan Jakovic in the dust and making Brandon McDonald trip over his own feet with what appeared to be an effortless touch to create space.
Quotable: “Confidence is everything for a young player, if you don’t have it you are never going to play as good as you can,” McInerney said following the match. “I think scoring obviously raises my confidence and if we keep winning games from me scoring then it’s only going to get better."
VS.
Le Toux finds Jack Mac for the win against Chicago (May 11)
It was a game that truthfully much of the credit should go to Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath for a commanding 90-minute effort that preserved a shutout. However, the reason the Union earned three crucial points in Chicago was some quick thinking from Sebastien Le Toux and a sure footed Jack McInerney. Because of what you are about to see, the Union took a 1-0 win. A week later it was McInerney with a header that would serve up another 1-0 win -- and a season sweep of Chicago.
One thing of note: once again Antoine Hoppenot is the catalyst for what amounts to a #UnionTop10 moment. In Week No. 1 of the series, Kleberson's free kick against Toronto FC was featured. Remember what sparked that sensational goal? Hoppenot getting tripped up at the edge of the box.
Quotable: “It was an unbelievable game, in fact I think that it was [MacMath’s] best game of the season by far,” McInerney began. “He definitely kept us in the game in the first half and that was the goal, to get through [the first half] 0-0…it was just an unbelievable game and I doubt we even come away with a tie if it wasn’t for him.”
So which one is it for you in this final pairing?
Jack Mac’s slicer against D.C.?
Or securing three points for a hardworking MacMath against Chi-town?
You decide, cast your vote below and discuss why. Next week we wrap this up with you picking via vote the “Final Five” in order and picking the definitive No. 1.
Contact Union digital editor Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com
Which moment should move on?
