Philadelphia Union secured its place in the MLS is Back Tournament with three more points against Inter Miami CF with a 2-1 scoreline. After the match Head Coach Jim Curtin along with Kacper Przybylko and Brenden Aaronson chatted with the media and here are our UNIBET Pressing Points from postgame.
Room for Improvement
While the Union have taken all six points in their first two matches, the performances haven’t been to the level that the team is capable of according to Curtin. Curtin said that maybe it was the late start that caused the team to not be at their sharpest but in the end the squad found a way to beat yet another tough Eastern Conference opponent. That mentality only makes the team even more dangerous as it heads into the Group A finale for the top spot in the group next week against Orlando City SC.
“Not our best night in terms of how we want to play,” Curtin said. “Keeping the ball, playing forward, winning the transition game. Still a lot of things to work on and improve. Obviously, it is good to get two wins in a row for the league and now to advance in this competition. Overall, we need to be better, I need to be better as a coach. The team needs to be better as that was not a good representation of what we worked on all week.”
Counterattack: The Union Way
One of the pillars that Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner has been looking for in the Union since his arrival the an increase in the club’s direct play when forcing a turnover. That was on full display in the Union’s game-winning goal and one very similar to a 2019 strike that down Toronto FC. After clearing away a free kick, Ilsinho recognized the opportunity at the Union’s end line. Combined with a beautiful dummy from Jamiro Monteiro, the Union quickly went the back foot to the front foot and a strong finish from Kacper Przybylko was the result.
“It showed the quality of the team,” the forward said following the match. “Scoring the goal as a striker means a lot because playing for this team is so easy to get so many chances. You just see the quality. You see the movement of Jamiro Monteiro that he is leaving the ball between his legs for Brenden Aaronson. Aaronson take a good touch and you see again that Monteiro was so unselfish and left the ball for me so I could finish. It is just the quality of the whole team. I am so proud that we won our second game here.”
Philadelphia Union goes for the top spot in its Group A finale when it faces Orlando City SC on Monday, July 20. Kick off is set for 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on TUDN and streamed on Twitter.
