Through the opening 33 minutes at Audi Field on Saturday night, it certainly would’ve felt like deja-vu for the Philadelphia Union, but Jack McGlynn rose to the occasion in the second half to help Jim Curtin’s side leave the Nation’s Capital with one point.
McGlynn scored a stunning left-footed equalizer with 11 minutes to play as the Union fought back for a 2-2 draw against DC United. It marked McGlynn’s second goalscoring performance in the past five days after the youthful midfielder found the back of the net midweek against the visiting Seattle Sounders.
“We’ve encouraged Jack, because of his technique being so good, to shoot more, shoot more, shoot more,” Curtin said.
“Sometimes in his backswing, you can see him change his mind and try and slip a through ball or play a nice pass out to Kai, but sometimes the best thing is to shoot,” Curtin added. “To score a goal a year outside the box is hard in this league, and he’s got two in back to back game that were really, really good strikes.”
Media, players, coaches, and fans alike have raved about McGlynn’s abilities with his left foot, becoming one of the highly-touted prospects in MLS and within the U.S. Soccer ranks. After setting a new career-high with two goals in 2023, McGlynn has now tied that mark in 2024 as he watched his 30+yard screamer find the top-left corner of Alex Bono’s net last night.
The 20-year-old continues to have a bright future ahead of him, both at club and international level, but for now the focus remains on helping the Union finish the 2024 season lifting multiple trophies.
“You don’t want to say Goal of the Year yet because you don’t know what’s going to happen over the next several months, but for my money, you can’t score a much better one and in a better moment,” Curtin said. “It’s a goal that gets you a point on the road when you really need one.”
The eighth-place Union return to Subaru Park for back-to-back home matches against Orlando City and NYCFC.
