The Philadelphia Union possess one of the top attacking units in MLS once again in 2023 and Chris Donovan became the latest to add his name to the stat sheet.
Donovan scored his first MLS goal on Saturday at Subaru Park, helping Jim Curtin’s squad wrap up a 2-1 home victory over New York City FC. A Class of 2022 MLS NEXT Pro standout, Donovan replaced Quinn Sullivan in the 75th minute before scoring the Union’s second goal of the night just six minutes later.
Daniel Gazdag’s back-heel pass allowed Donovan to race in toward goal and deliver a low shot at Luis Barraza. Barraza couldn’t hang onto Donovan’s original shot, providing the 22-year-old the opportunity to roof his rebound attempt into an empty net.
It was Donovan’s sixth combined goal of 2023, which also includes four tallies with Philadelphia Union II in MLS NEXT Pro, and one U.S. Open Cup goal with the Union.
After attending Conestoga High School, which is less than 25 miles from Subaru Park, and excelling collegiately Drexel University in downtown Philadelphia, Donovan’s first league goal couldn’t have come at a better place.
“I just know Danny (Gazgag) played me in and I was able to put some pressure on (Tayvon) Gray before some miscommunication between him and the goalie allowed me to get in towards goal, after that I couldn’t miss,” Donovan said postmatch about his goal. “It was great to score my first goal in front of the home fans tonight. I was hoping that when the moment came, it would come here because it makes it that much better.”
Donovan enjoyed immediate success with Union II in 2022, registering eight goals and three assists in 24 MLS NEXT Pro appearances. He has continued to produce positive moments in 2023, adding four goals in five appearances this season for Marlon LeBlanc’s squad.
Julian Carranza, Mikael Uhre, and Quinn Sullivan have earned the majority of the opportunities at the top of Curtin’s lineup, but Saturday’s positive substitute performance could be exactly what helps Donovan earn more minutes this summer.
The Union kick off Leagues Cup play on July 22 at Subaru Park against Liga MX side Club Tijuana before also facing Queretaro on July 26 in the same competition.
