A 12 day gap between matches means Head Coach Jim Curtin expects his team to bring their best when they kick off a ScotiaBank Concacaf Champions League semifinal showdown against Club América on September 15. Find out more about Coach Curtin’s strategy and preparation in today’s Founders Brewing Co. Pressing Points.
Champions League: Fresh Legs for Leg 2
The Philadelphia Union will be facing Club América in the second leg of the SCCL semifinal on Wednesday, September 15th at Subaru park. After falling 2-0 in a tightly contested match at the Azteca in Mexico City last month, the Union need all of Philly behind them as they look to turn Leg 2 of the semifinal into Rocky 2.
“It’s all or nothing now,” Curtin told media on Wednesday.
“I won’t sit here and say it’s easy,” he continued. “It takes a lot of players working hard and tough decisions from the staff to field a roster and utilize subs the right way and juggle the different rules and competitions.”
No MLS team has won the current format of North America’s premier club competition. For some, that highlights how difficult it has been for the Union to get this far.
For Curtin, it shows that his team has overcome the odds before and won’t be cowed by the moment.
“A team with nothing to lose is a dangerous team,” the head coach noted.
Back to Basics
Last season, Philadelphia Union went undefeated at Subaru Park in MLS regular season play. This year Jim Curtin’s men are still looking for their best home form.
“We have good depth, but at this point in the year we’re still competing for starting positions,” Curtin explained.
“We’re a good team, we’re not a great team yet. We need to raise our level because people remember how you finish the season, not how you started it."
Recovery Time
Philly’s high-octane pressing philosophy places heavy physical demands on the players. The Union’s medical staff is one of the best in the league, but sometimes the best medicine is rest.
“Being fresh and recovering is something that is crucial,” Curtin told the assembled media.
With one week to go before the biggest match in club history, the Union remain confident that, if healthy and rested, they can disrupt and harass Club America and create enough opportunities to overcome a first leg deficit.
Philly welcomes Club America to Subaru Park for a thrilling leg two of the ScotiaBank Concacaf Champions League semi-finals on September 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET.
