The Copa America Centenario break came at a unique time for Philadelphia Union. The club is playing their best soccer in franchise history, currently in the midst of an eight-game unbeaten streak. That run is tied for the longest in franchise history and the Union will have a chance to break that record Saturday against New York City FC.
This is the second time in 2016 that Philadelphia will square off with NYCFC. The first match came on April 23, at Talen Energy Stadium. Chris Pontius and C.J Sapong each recorded a goal in the first half, and Andre Blake earned a clean sheet to secure the victory. This time NYCFC will have the home field advantage and Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin shared his thoughts on Yankee Stadium.
“Visually when you watch games on film there or you watch on TV, it just looks, something about the camera angle looks off. It looks small,” Curtin said. “It’s tough to put together a ton of passes. So we will need to be able to, at moments in the game roll up your sleeves, be ready to fight, and challenge for second balls and then do your best to get points on the road.”
Getting points on the road has not been issue for Philadelphia as of late. The club recorded draws on their toughest road trip of the season in late May, first in Orlando then three days later in Colorado. Both matches saw the Union score game-tying goals to keep their unbeaten streak alive. Philadelphia’s last loss on the road came back on April 16 in Seattle.
A big reason for club’s success on the road this season is the man in net. Blake is expected to return to the starting lineup after serving Jamaica in Copa America. Blake has yet to allow more than two goals in a match this season and Curtin was thrilled to have him back in training.
“Andre made some really, really good saves and it looks like he hasn’t missed a beat if anything,” Curtin said. “He seems more confident if anything. Good day, good sharp day.”
New York City FC had a completely different feeling than the Union as the break approached. NYCFC is winless in their last four matches and have not created much of a threat at Yankee Stadium this season, posting the worst home-winning percentage in all of MLS at .389.
NYCFC is led by MLS leading goal-scoring David Villa. The Spanish playmaker has certainly made his presence felt in the Bronx. In 45 appearances for NYCFC, he’s recorded 28 goals. The Union will have to contain him as well as Andrea Pirlo. Curtin was very complimentary of his opponent.
“They’re a good team. They’re dangerous, they have a lot of pieces that you have to keep your eye on,” Curtin said. “David Villa has been for me top, obviously he is the top goal-scorer in the league, but really dangerous, works his tail off. McNamara is a handful, obviously Pirlo can pick you apart if you give him time, so a lot of good pieces.”
The Union start another tough stretch starting Saturday. The best team in the Eastern Conference will play three matches in a span of seven days. After the quick trip to New York the club comes back to Talen Energy Stadium to face off against Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps.
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