Last time Philadelphia Union faced Atlanta United, the match was marred by controversial refereeing but finished with over sixty minutes of impressive hard work from a short-handed Union squad. Jim Curtin spoke to the media Thursday ahead of a rematch with the Eastern Conference leaders at Talen Energy Stadium this weekend.
A home for Haris
Haris Medunjanin will return to the Union in 2019, and Curtin could not be happier. “I think there are certain guys in our brief history — whether it's Seba [Le Toux] or Tranquillo Barnetta or Conor Casey — these guys have an instant connection, Brian Carroll comes to mind,” Curtin said. “I think Haris falls into that.”
Medunjanin has become an enormous part of Philly’s playoff push this season, especially with a young defensive line behind him and the importance of possession to the Union’s success. “His quality on the field speaks for itself,” Curtin continued. “His ability to pass, his composure with a group of young guys around him and kind of leading and guiding them. Whether it be on the field like you guys get to see or off the field, when we're in the hotels at preseason and he's looking at extra film with them, giving them extra insight in conversations. He's a guy I've enjoyed my time with, I’ve really loved working with him.
And with Medunjanin finally eligible to return to the pitch this weekend, Curtin knows the big midfielder will be ready to fire on all cylinders. “Haris has done a great job staying in shape, had the Open Cup game to keep fitness, came on the trip with us to LA just to stay with the team,” he assured reporters.
Seeking success for Sapong
"We have to find a way to get CJ going,” the Union head coach insisted. “That's the reality of the situation.” Sapong has now gone over two months without hitting the back of the net and has one shot on goal in his last six starts.
But Curtin believes Sapong can be streaky, and when he breaks out it could be in a big way. “He's a guy who has gone through highs, gone through lows, and you're most remembered for how you finish the year,” Curtin said. “He wants to help the team, he puts maximum effort into games, but the timing and the movement in front of goal - we've been a little bit off, whether it's with the service or his runs.”
Atlanta is good, but beatable
The Union are a possession-based team not only because that helps them set up their offense, but because it means the other team can’t set up their own attacks. And with Atlanta’s firepower, that becomes especially important. “The best defense is being good with the ball yourselves,” Curtin explained. “[Attacking midfielder Miguel] Almiron, when he gets on the ball and gets a head of steam running at you, I don't care if you're [legendary AC Milan defender Paolo] Maldini, you're going to be in trouble with him in space. So we have to do our best to limit those opportunities.” Curtin also mentioned Atlanta’s other big money signings Ezequiel Barco and Josef Martinez as players that the Union needed to control. Barco and Almiron have forced a formidable midfield partnership that helps them free each other up to play in Martinez. “They're playing very well right now,” Curtin concluded. “Coming off a disappointing loss in Dallas where they put a lot into the game, but we have to do our best to limit their opportunities and it starts with being good with the ball ourselves.”
