Philadelphia Union snapped their unfavorable streak with a draw against 1-95 rival New York Red Bulls in a Subaru Park scorcher on Saturday night. After the match, Head Coach Jim Curtin met with the media, recapping the scoreless result.
Fuel from the fans
As is custom for a Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bull meeting, Subaru Park’s atmosphere was playoff-like, both on the field and in the stands. Curtin started his press conference with a message for those who were loud in the crowd and the environment they helped foster.
“Thanks to the fans for pushing the guys tonight – it means a lot,” Curtin said. “I know it's not our best moment, but I thought that they really helped.”
Although the scoreline didn’t give the team the three-point swing they'd hoped for, it was a step in the right direction, and they’ll have a week of recovery and training before they go again in Toronto next Saturday.
“I think we stopped the bleeding a little bit just by getting a shutuout. Something to build on there which is important. We had some chances to steal the game, Red Bull had some chances. I thought we kind of canceled each other out in the first half. But had some opportunities in the second when the ball didn't bounce for us. But at the same time we did defend pretty well as a team against a strong opponent,” Curtin said.
“So no moral victories, but also still good to keep a clean sheet.”
Keeping a clean sheet
Curtin chose to go with Homegrown Andrew Rick in net for the match, giving the 18-year-old the starting spot for the third time this season. Three-time Major League Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake is slated to return soon, but on Saturday, the spotlight was on the academy product as the team’s clean sheet was Rick's very first in Major League Soccer play.
“Anytime you make an early save, I think that that gives you confidence and belief,” Curtin said.
“There are things that he's going to work on with [Director of Goalkeeping] Phil Wheddon and look at the film – some kicking and different things. There's going to be learning moments for him all the time, but he made some big saves tonight that we needed and it's a clean sheet for a young goalkeeper, so that can only build confidence.”
Damion’s dominant return
The match was Damion Lowe’s first since Jamaica was eliminated from Copa America, and upon return, Curtin added the defender into the starting xi alongside Jack Elliott and Jakob Glesnes for a trio of centerbacks to protect Rick in net. After the match, Curtin explained his formation choice, nodding to the abilities Lowe brings to the backline.
“I don't love playing in the back three, but when you've conceded as many goals as we have in recent weeks, we decided to do it just because the bodies that are here, the quality of the players that are here, the experience that they have,” Curtin said. “That position is one where we have three guys that have been through these types of battles against strong Red Bull teams.”
Despite the physical and emotional tolls of representing his country on an international stage, Lowe made an immediate impact, playing a large part in extending Philadelphia Union’s Red Bull unbeaten streak to 13 games.
“I thought Damion was really good. Won a lot of duels, put out a lot of fires,” Curtin said. “There’s still things we can clean up cause Red Bull had some chances too, as did we, but overall a really solid performance and good to have him back for sure.”
