PREVIEW: Union Full of Confidence Heading into Matchup vs Dynamo
After a difficult past few weeks, the Union got back on track this past Sunday when they dismantled D.C. United by a final score of 5-1 and recaptured first place in the Eastern Conference.
The offense was firing on all cylinders and each player executed their roles to perfection including Marco Fabian pressing high up the field, Kacper Przybylko capitalizing on his opportunities, Andrew Wooten making an impact in his first start for the U, and captain Alejandro Bedoya making his presence known on the field with his opening goal while making a stand on gun violence. This was a much different result the last time these two teams faced off in the nation’s capital.
On June 12th, D.C. advanced to the round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup after completing a 2-1 comeback victory in extra time over the Union following two unanswered goals in the 118th and 120th minute succeeding Anthony Fontana‘s initial goal in the 113th minute. This was flat out uncharacteristic from Philadelphia in regards to their recent success in the Open Cup and very concerning to fans, to say the least.
Since the Gold Cup break, the Union have posted a 3-3-2 record and a few poor performances on the road which has allowed other teams in the East to gain some ground on the Union and make it an interesting race for first place in the final stretch of the season. With just nine games left in the regular season, the Boys in Blue are geared both mentally and physically for a tough stretch of games and a potential playoff run moving forward, following their dominant performance in DC.
Right when fans started to doubt this team’s talent after their disappointing loss and early exit in the Open Cup in addition to a few defensive collapses after the summer break, Philadelphia has suddenly regained their mojo and turned a corner for the best at the most important juncture in the season where every point is crucial when it comes down to playoff seeding. It is truly encouraging to see this team performing at their highest level and peaking at the perfect time so it is essential to stay hopeful as fans.
With this being said, the Union will play five of their next nine games in their home fortress of Talen Energy Stadium and will need all of the support they can get from the Philly faithful. Out of the team’s next nine matches, six of those opponents are in the top five in their respective conferences, including LAFC who own the best record in the West and overall in MLS. It all starts this Sunday night at 6 PM EST kickoff when the first place Boys in Blue take on a struggling Dynamo squad who are desperate for a win after collapsing and falling to NYCFC 3-2 in a midweek matchup.
The final home stretch falls on Jim Curtin‘s shoulder and whether he can take his team to the promised land by making the right adjustments and substitutions needed to keep his team atop the East. Based on last week’s lineup changes of plugging in Andrew Wooten, Warren Creavalle, and Aurélien Collin, Curtin proved that he is up for the challenge and arduous schedule ahead.
If there were ever a time where the Union needed even more support, it would be now, when the team is playing its best style of soccer at this point in the season and looking like one of the most talented squads in Philadelphia Union history.
If Union fans have learned anything important over the years, it would be to stand behind the Boys in Blue at the peak of their success and cheer them on during a time where attaining an MLS Cup trophy seems most possible in the franchise’s 10-year existence.
To all the Philadelphia Union fans out there, on behalf of myself and Union Nation, we highly recommend that you go and support the U at each home game for the remainder of the season and display your unwavering pride for the Union in hopes of pushing them on to new heights that they have never reached before.
Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/Union Nation
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