Union Scouting Report: C.J. Sapong

With the Union off to a surprising 4-3 start including big wins over Columbus Crew SC, Orlando City SC, New England Revolution and NYCFC, C.J. Sapong has shown to this point that he is worthy of all the support that Jim Curtin and the front office has given him.

Sapong came to Philadelphia from Sporting Kansas City in December 2014 in exchange for a first-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft. Despite his dip in performance since his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2011, the Union saw a player worth giving up something for and in 2016, they are reaping the benefits.

Sapong wrapped up his first season in Philadelphia with nine goals in 27 appearances. Originally, Sapong was thought to be a winger, spending his last few seasons in Kansas City wide right. However, shortly into his debut season with the Union, he found a home as their lone forward.

To kick off his 2016 campaign, the Union’s No. 9 has netted three goals in just six matches. A change in scenery seems to be exactly what Sapong needed as he has developed into quite the striker since his move. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the things that have made him into the player he is today.

• Size and Strength
  • Sapong is listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds and plays uses that large frame and physical presence to his advantage. Spending a majority of the match trying to hold up play without much support until the Union can get numbers forward, Sapong is called upon to keep defenders on his back, win balls in the air, and impose his will on opposing center backs. In 533 minutes this season on the pitch this season, the center forward has won over 53-percent of his aerial duels. Not only does Sapong use his physicality in the air however, he uses it to draw a ton of fouls. Entering Saturday’s showdown with NYCFC, Sapong has 17 fouls drawn, allowing the Union to have set pieces in dangerous areas or simply have time to get numbers in advanced parts of the pitch on numerous occassions.
• Work Rate
  • One thing that has stood out about the Union is their tendency to press higher this season as opposed to the past. Rather than being extremely conservative, Curtin’s side is typically playing a high back line and trying to win possession back in the attacking half. Sapong’s work rate has played an astronomical role in the success of that strategy. Consistently putting opposing defenses under pressure, relentlessly chasing in pursuit of the ball, and more often than not, forcing opponents to either turn the ball over or hoof it forward without purpose.
• Playing at Home
  • Despite the small sample size of just two matches, Sapong has been magnificent at home thus far.  All three of his goals have come at Talen Energy Stadium with the support of the Sons of Ben and company behind him. It’s not just the goals at home that are making the difference. Sapong is completing 81.3-percent of his passes at home as opposed to just 69.6% away from Chester. With all of that said, the Union forward has posted a modest 6.73 player rating on the road according to WhoScored.com. In the comfort of his home pitch however, Sapong has been magnificent with a rating of 8.43.
• Combination
  • While the goals, hold up play, and work rate are all great attributes that have led to success for Sapong. A wrinkle that he has improved upon incredibly is his combination with other players. When needed, he has shown deeper into the midfield to sustain possession and allow numbers to get forward in support. In addition, he has consistently used knock downs and flicks to bring other players into the attack. Most recently, a Sapong knock down led to this fantastic Sebastian LeToux goal down a man against Seattle.

As you can see, Sapong has not only returned to his rookie form, but shown perhaps even more promise, even drumming up some cases to make the USMNT. Curtin has to be happy with the progress and consistency that his go-to forward has shown thus far. If Sapong can continue to develop at the rate that he has since coming to Philadelphia, do not be shocked to see him dawning the red, white, and blue again in the near future.