Philadelphia Union's 5-1 win against New York City FC was a night fans, staff, and players alike won't soon forget as five different players hit the back of the night to propel the team back into playoff contention. After the action, Head Coach Jim Curtin met with the media, recapping the important result.
Intensity on the road
Philadelphia Union has earned an early lead in their last three matches, and at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night, that energy didn’t waver as they secured all three points and a ninth place spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
“Really proud of the group, I think that they've had a playoff mindset and a playoff intensity, because we put ourselves in a situation where we have to find ways to take points in hard places to play like this,” Curtin said.
WIth just five games left on the regular season schedule, every point ahead is essential, and with three points in tow, they headed back home to Subaru Park for a pair of opportunities to continue their push toward the postseason in front of the Union faithful.
“This one means nothing if we don't go home and take care of business now in our next two big games, but certainly a big step forward and a really good win,” Curtin said.
Andrew Rick steps up
Wednesday’s match took a full team effort, and 18-year-old Andrew Rick was one of several players who stepped up big for his team on a consequential night. The Homegrown keeper made seven saves, conceding just one goal in his sixth-ever Major League Soccer start.
“He made some big saves tonight when we needed the most, and again, he's going to get better and better,” Curtin said.
“He is 18, and in goalkeeping, that is about as young as it gets. He's still going to grow, still going to fill out, and he's only 165 pounds, so he's got some a frame to fill out, maybe even grows height-wise because he's still only 18 years old, but a big step for him. I'm happy for him. He's a quiet, shy, reserved kid, but that kind of performance will build some real confidence, and with goalkeeping, that is everything,” Curtin said.
Front three magic
Philadelphia’s three first half goals came by way of their front three, with Daniel Gazdag, Mikael Uhre, and Tai Baribo each hitting the back of the net within the opening 45 minutes.
“When we get now Tai, Dani, and Mikael, all kind of clicking at the right time. It's a front three that a lot of teams aren't going to enjoy playing against,” Curtin said.
Baribo was the first to score of the trio, and his goal boosted his total across all competitions to 15. His success has been sudden – each of his goals has come in the last three months since he earned his first real Union start mid-June.
“I really love Tai’s contributions, even outside the goals and the assists. I really like that he works back and tracks and covers. Comes back and pokes a ball away from James Sands, comes back in and makes a play on Keaton Parks and wins a tackle that starts the transition. He'll defend on set pieces for his life. Defensively, that's rare for a striker, so all the little intangibles Tai has done and then some,” Curtin said.
“Really proud of him and his mentality and professionalism through what was a tough first several months here, and to persevere and now hit the back of the net…I think the hard work is the reason. He's an incredible striker, and has done a great job for us.”
