Sapong and Union rout Revolution

The Union have a new mind-set and it could bring much different results.

"The past is gone," coach Jim Curtin said Sunday after the Union earned a 3-0 win over the New England Revolution in the home opener before 17,027 at Talen Energy Stadium.

For a team that has made the postseason once in the first six seasons and went 10-17-7 last year, the fact that the past is gone is not a negative.

Now off to a 2-1 start, the Union look like a different team, one that has been given a makeover by new sporting director Earnie Stewart. Curtin won't hold the Union to last year's standards.

"We are way ahead of way we were last year, but that is not saying much because last year was bad," he said.

After last week's win at Columbus, the Union have won two straight games for the first time since May 17 and 24 of last season when they beat D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls. New England fell to 0-1-2.

C.J. Sapong scored the Union's first two goals.

It was the first two-goal game for Sapong since Sept. 21, 2013, when he scored both goals for Sporting Kansas City in a 2-1 win at Toronto.

"It feels good to open the account, but I am extra critical, I could have had four today," said Sapong, who was scoreless the first two games.

The chemistry between new midfielders Roland Alberg and Ilsinho was evident as they constantly pushed forward on the attack.

Alberg, the Dutch international who has appeared in all three games, was making his first start, while Ilsinho, the 30-year-old Brazilian, has started all three.

"We can play both together and the coach knows and everybody knows and that is a good thing for us," Alberg said.

Warren Creavalle and Fabinho set up both Sapong goals.

In the 18th minute it was Creavalle passing to Fabinho, who sent a cross to Sapong. The Union forward spun around and fired a shot from nine yards out that deflected off Revolution captain Jose Goncalves and inside the near post.

On the second goal in the 33rd minute, Fabinho sent Creavalle down the left side. Creavalle crossed to Sapong at almost the same spot where he scored his first goal, and he one-timed it in.

In the first half, Union keeper Andre Blake made a sensational save on Lee Nguyen's 20-yard blast and then later lucked out when a Nguyen free kick hit both posts.

As if the Revolution wasn't having enough problems, defender Je-Vaughn Watson was assessed a red card in the 36th minute for a serious foul against Alberg, giving the Union a man advantage for the rest of the game.

Ilsinho and Sebastien Le Toux missed Union penalty kicks, but Le Toux ended the scoring when he one-timed a Leo Fernandes cross during second-half stoppage time.

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard