For the third time this season, Philadelphia Union came from behind for a win. They have also come from behind to earn points against New England and Vancouver, so this is officially a team that can’t be put away easily. Fafa Picault pointed to the group’s “self-belief” as the key to their resiliency, but Jim Curtin said it was something even bigger.
“It was the sign of a first place team,” the head coach began. “The mentality of a winner, and something our fans can be very proud of.”
At halftime, Curtin explained to his group that they were in a unique scenario — up a man on the road in a tied game. He said the need to come out strong to start the latter half was essential. Less than two minutes later, two vets and the club’s leading goalscorer delivered a lead. “We challenged the group that, during the course of the season, you only get opportunities like this that present themselves every so often, up a man,” Curtin said. “The players really took that to heart and came out in the second half and I was incredibly proud of the effort that they showed in the first 20 to 25 minutes of the half.”
It wasn’t all rosy for the head coach, though. He thought his team relaxed after grabbing a two goal lead, and he wants a killer instinct that lasts all 90 minutes in the future. “And then extremely disappointing with the last 20 minutes of the game when we should’ve kept the ball better,” he concluded.
One reason the Union may have struggled late was the loss of midfielder Jamiro Monteiro. Former Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan was red carded for a vicious tackle from behind on Monteiro, and although the Cape Verde international was able to stand and walk off the injury, its effects remained. The moment mirrored last season’s match in Orlando when an ugly tackle from behind on Borek Dockal knocked the MLS assist leader out for a short spell and limited his effectiveness in the stretch run.
“Sacha is a close friend of mine and he was extremely apologetic, made a mistake,” Curtin shrugged. “The tackle was very bad but I don’t think he had a lot of maliciousness in it, so it’s a tough one.
“I think Jamiro, the way he absorbs a lot of contact in the course of games, will bounce back quickly, hopefully, but obviously a tough challenge and overall we’ll get him back as quickly as possible. We don’t want to lose a player of his quality, that’s for sure.”
Curtin ended his postmatch comments with praise of Kacper Przybylko, who now has eight MLS goals to put him in fifth in the Eastern Conference. “Great performance, and when we need a goal, Kacper seems to be the guy that steps up in a big way,” the head coach enthused. “Defensively, offensively, clinically in the box, could probably have had four or five more goals because he’s hard on himself and he’s a striker.”
Curtin said he believes the big attacker could push into the 15-20 goals range if he keeps his effort and workrate high, and with Andrew Wooten available beginning July 13 Przybylko will have all the motivation he needs to continue scoring. The next chance to add to his total will be Saturday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET when the Union face off with Orlando City at home on Fireworks Night live on 6abc.
