Entering today's match against the Columbus Crew, the Philadelphia Union remain 15 points out of the fifth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Union realize they can only gain three points at a time.
Since Philadelphia has played a conference-low 23 games, the club is still keeping a positive attitude that anything is possible. In other words, the playoffs are still a possibility.
“We still believe we can pull off something pretty special here,” Union interim manager John Hackworth said. “Tomorrow night is a really good home game for us (and) we believe it’s a six-pointer. If we can get on a little bit of a roll here, things could change quickly. We’re not ready to change our philosophy from the way it’s been the last few months.”
It won’t be easy against the surging Crew (10-8-6).
Philadelphia (7-12-4) is winless in its last four matches, but has garnered points in consecutive draws against D.C. United and Real Salt Lake.
Every game from here on out is extremely important.
“It’s going to be a huge game for us,” Hackworth said. “We’re at a point in the season where we have to make sure to get three points at home. Specifically, getting three points from an (Eastern Conference) opponent makes it a six-point swing. With all our games coming up, we have to look at each of them like that, particularly at home.”
One thing the Union won’t do is put added pressure on themselves.
The players understand what’s at stake. To them, it’s simply a matter of executing one game at a time.
“We can’t look too many games ahead,” said forward Jack McInerney. “We have to stay in the moment and focus on the game in front of us. We’re playing better and we’re doing things well at times. We need to put it all together for an entire game. I think if we can do that, we’ll start compiling points.”
