Philadelphia Union defeated New York Red Bulls for the third time this season, earning three important points in front of a home crowd and maintaining their dominance against an Eastern Conference rival. After the victory, Head Coach Jim Curtin met with the media recapping the win.
Union Win
After a disappointing loss to Toronto on Wednesday the team returned to their fortress determined to bounce back and they did so in a big way, with four goals from four different players, three Kai Wagner assists, and strong minutes from the bench.
“That was us tonight. Winning transitions, scoring on restarts, being pretty sound defensively, not giving up a ton of shots on all Andre. A good Union win – that no one will remember at the end of the year,” Curtin said.
“We have a bad feeling about Toronto. The guys had a good response, not the best, but they stepped up and improved.”
With the win, the team claimed two of their final three games before the incoming international break, securing their spot near the top of a congested Eastern Conference table.
“Great performance, good team win. We have an international break now, we’ll give the guys some time to rest up but overall a good way to go into the break.”
Missing midfielders
With three defensive midfielders in Jesus Bueno, Leon Flach, and José Martinez out for the match, Curtin reprised the 3-5-2 formation with a new set of starters. After the match, he spoke about what worked from the new starting group.
“Sometimes in these games we need to manufacture goals. We were short handed tonight, a lot of midfielders out, so I give the guys a lot of credit. I like the three with two high IQ guys with McGlynn and Bedoya that can kinda control tempo,” Curtin said.
Let ‘soccer’ take over
The first half finished 1-1 after an unfavorable bounce allowed New York Red Bulls to take an early lead, but after a Jakob Glesnes rebound goal leveled the score, the team’s attack was unrelenting for the remainder of the match.
“The intensity was there – when you play Red Bull, you always have to match their intensity. It's gonna be a fight. I said to the guys if we match their intensity and we're willing to do the running and the fighting, our soccer can take over,” Curtin said.
