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Philly abroad: Convey, Wenger game-winners

Photo courtesy of Montreal Impact

Philadelphia-area players turned the tides in Saturday’s two biggest games in Major League Soccer, as Andrew Wenger scored a game-winner and Bobby Convey created one with a beautiful assist.

Wenger’s goal came in a nationally televised (in Canada) match between Toronto and Montreal, giving the Impact their first-ever MLS win by a 2-1 score. Wenger had subbed on in the second half, as he’s been doing much of the season, and he outran Toronto defender Ty Harden to latch onto a lofted long pass by former Philadelphia Union midfielder Justin Mapp. After controlling the ball, he slotted his shot past the goalkeeper and into the net for Montreal’s second goal. Toronto would later score, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Montreal from winning what’s already a rivalry match, despite it being Montreal’s season in the league.

The goal was the first as a professional for the rookie and No. 1 pick in this year’s amateur draft. Wenger hails from Lititz, Pa., in Lancaster County, and he played high school ball for Warwick High School. He was named national player of the year both as a high school and college player. Here’s the video of Wenger’s goal.

As for Convey, he created the game winner in Kansas City’s 1-0 win over Los Angeles. Playing on the right wing after swapping sides mid-game with Kei Kamara, Convey controlled the ball, created space, and moved to the middle just enough to drop the cross up over the defense. Kamara found the ball and nailed a perfect header into the lower right corner of the net to beat Los Angeles goalkeeper Josh Saunders.

The play marked the first assist this season for Convey, though the Philly native created another goal earlier this year but didn’t get statistical credit for it. Convey has started all five games at left wing in a 4-3-3 for Sporting Kansas City, who at 5-0-0 have been the best team in the league this season.

Here’s video of Kansas City’s goal, followed by a roundup of how other Philadelphia-area professional players fared this past week.

Major League Soccer

Bobby Convey, M, Kansas City —  Started and played 69 minutes in Kansas City’s 1-0 win over Los Angeles. Assisted on the game-winning goal. Season: 5 games, 5 starts, 1 assist.

Andrew Wenger, M, Montreal — Played 7 minutes in Montreal’s 1-0 loss Wednesday to Real Salt Lake. Played 24 minutes and scored his first career goal in a 2-1 win over Toronto on Saturday. Season: 5 games, 1 goal.

Jeff Parke, D, Seattle —  Started, played 90 minutes, and helped secure a clean sheet in Seattle’s 0-0 draw with D.C. United.  Season: 2 games, 1 start.

Jeff Larentowicz, M, Colorado — Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake. Season: 4 games, 4 starts.

Zarek Valentin, D, Montreal — Started and played 90 minutes in Montreal’s 2-1 win Saturday over Toronto. Did not play Wednesday against Real Salt Lake. Season: 2 games, 2 starts.

Jeremiah White, M, New England —Played two minutes in New England’s 1-0 win over Dallas, taking one shot in his late game appearance. Season: 2 games.

Dan Gargan, D, Chicago — Chicago did not play this week.  Season: 2 games, 2 starts.

Chris Albright, D, Philadelphia — Philadelphia did not play this week. Season: 2 games, 2 starts

Cristhian Hernandez, M, Philadelphia — Philadelphia did not play this week.  Season: 1 game

Bill Gaudette, GK, Los Angeles — In the 18 but did not play against Kansas City. Season: 0 games

Corey Hertzog, F, New York —Did not play against Columbus.  Season: 0 games

Antoine Hoppenot, M/F, Philadelphia — Philadelphia did not play this week.  Season: 0 games

Jimmy McLaughlin, M, Philadelphia — Philadelphia did not play this week.  Season: 0 games

Zach Pfeffer, M, Philadelphia — Philadelphia did not play this week.  Season: 0 games

Jeremy Vuolo, GK, New York — In the 18 against Columbus but did not play. Season: 0 games

Austrian Bundesliga

Eddie Gustafsson, GK, Red Bull Salzburg — In the 18 but did not play in Salzburg’s 2-0 win over FC Wacker Innsbruck. Season: 15 games. (More complete stats are not available via the Bundesliga and Red Bull web sites.)

5 Comments

  1. Should also be noted that Wenger played for the Reading United from 2009-2010.

  2. No love for Mike Seamon, Seattle Sounders midfielder and Villanova alumnus?

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