The Union are on a hot streak – they’ve gone eight straight games without a loss. After a less than optimal start to the season, the team has finally gained much-need momentum. Now, with an 8-4-3 record, the goal is to maintain it.
“Life is about moments. Soccer is about moments. We are having a really good moment right now and we have the chance to just focus solely on the lead. We have a chance to really settle down, be ourselves, regroup, and find our identity again,” said keeper and team captain Andre Blake.
Blake knows it’ll require focused leadership for the team to stay steady on it’s path to success. Even though the future presently appears to be very bright, the team has played just 15 games, meaning the season hasn’t even reached it’s halfway mark. There is plenty of soccer left to play.
“I mean, everybody likes winning. But for me, Ale [Bedoya] , and Jim [Curtin], you have to find a way to enjoy the moment and keep the guys motivated, but also have us stay grounded, not get too ahead of ourselves. We all know that in the MLS, the minute you think you're too good, you get knocked down,” Blake said.
Daniel Gazdag shared a similar sentiment after the game when asked if he’s taken a look at the current MLS standings. As of Wednesday night, the Union are ranked third overall in the Eastern Conference, with 27 points. That’s one behind Nashville SC, and 9 behind FC Cincinnati.
“It's really early season, but obviously, we want to get as much points as we can at this point of the season. And I think we can get good. We didn't start as good as we wanted, but we are coming back,” Gazdag said.
“We have been undefeated in the last eight games, and we won six of those games. So I think that's a good, good run. We would like to keep it up and win the game on Saturday.”
The team will play its third game in a week on Saturday against Montreal FC (6-8) at Subaru Park. With just two days rest before the next game, staying focused, grounded, and adaptable within the final days of the busy slate is a top priority.
"It's a lot of work. Thank God it's not a lot of travels, but it's definitely a lot of games to turn over. We’re a very big group of guys, and I'm pretty sure Jim’s going to rotate where he thinks is necessary. But you know, there's light at the end of the tunnel, because after Saturday, we get a week before we play again," Blake said.
