After guiding the Philadelphia Union to its Eastern-Conference-leading 11th home win in MLS regular season play this season, Jim Curtin collected his second consecutive MLS Coach of the Week award.
After a tough opening half-hour, Curtin's team adapted to Orlando City's approach and broke through late in the first half off a deflected cross from Olivier Mbaizo.
Just before halftime, Mikael Uhre doubled the lead off a sumptuous throughball from MLS MVP favorite Daniel Gazdag.
Curtin's side put the screws to the visitors in the second half, finishing with a 5-1 victory that leaves them in front of the Supporters' Shield race and with the potential to finish with the best defense and goal difference in league history.
Defender Jack Elliott joins Curtin in the MLS Team of the Week following a goal off a corner kick and defender Kai Wagner makes the bench after another dominant performance up the left that saw him set up both Elliott and captain Ale Bedoya's goals.
Curtin has once again guided the club to another recording-breaking season with new club highs in goals scored, points, wins and a fifth-straight Audi MLS Cup Playoff appearance. Atop the conference by eights points and just three behind LAFC for the Supporters' Shield, Curtin has his squad primed for another spectacular postseason run at the right time.
The Boys in Blue are back at Subaru Park on Saturday night as they look to secure a home match in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs when they take on Orlando City SC. Saturday night marks the Union's annual Kick Childhood Cancer Night with our Fearless 43 being celebrated and honored. The match will also see the birthday celebration of everyone's favorite mascot, Phang with fun activities planned on Subaru Plaza and around the stadium. The match presented by Subaru will see kick off from Chester is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage on PHL17 and PhiladelphiaUnion.com.
