CHESTER, Pa. – In the five-year history of the Philadelphia Union, there have been few weeks, if any, bigger than this one.
Over the course of the next eight days, the Union will host three massive games, as two Eastern Conference matchups with playoff implications are sandwiched around Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup final. And it all starts Saturday with the Union facing the New York Red Bulls (3 pm ET; NBCSN, stream on NBCSports.com) in an especially meaningful rivalry game.
Despite winning their last three games, the red-hot Union (9-9-9) currently sit just below the red line in the East, one point behind the hated Red Bulls (9-8-10).
“New York is a bitter rivalry with Philadelphia, across all sports,” Union interim manager Jim Curtin said. “We just don’t like each other too much. It’ll be big to take both games from them on our field. It matters a great deal that we protect this building and give our fans what they deserve, which are wins at home. We started to establish that now and we want to keep that going.”
After a rough start to their home schedule, the Union certainly are playing well in front of their own fans. Starting with a 3-1 victory over the Red Bulls on July 16, the Union have won four straight at PPL Park and can set a franchise record with their fifth consecutive win Saturday.
The Union also have a chance to set a club record with their first-ever four-game winning streak this weekend – and they know they might have to do just that if they want to stay above water in the playoff race.
“We’re definitely feeling confident,” Philly’s Maurice Edu said. “But in saying that, we know there’s still a lot of work to be done. If we just take the foot off the gas now, then all of the work we’ve done to this point will be no for nothing.”
Added Andrew Wenger: “We feel good. But a hot streak is only a hot streak if you continue it.”
While the Union have been playing their best soccer of the season of late, playing three tough games in eight days will certainly present a challenge. But with everyone healthy and Carlos Valdes and Rais Mbolhi back from international duty, Curtin will have a full team at his disposal – and some lineup decisions to make.
“It’s tricky but we’ll put two teams on the field that can get three points,” Curtin said, referring to the next two games. “Our depth will be challenged.
“I won’t sugarcoat it or hide anything,” he added. “There’s a massive game against New York and then the Open Cup final, which I can say is just another game but is the biggest game this club has ever had. There’s no way to hide that. It’s a big thing on Tuesday and we’ll focus on winning both games”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
