Union aiming to score home playoff game
CHESTER >> The spectrum of options is wide, thanks to soccer’s three possible outcomes. But for the Union Sunday, the goal is pretty simple.
Win the season finale at New York City FC (4:30, PHL17), and the Union will finish third in the Eastern Conference and host a Wild Card game. Lose, and the Union will probably be right back at Yankee Stadium for the wild-card encounter, slipping as far as sixth if D.C. United and Columbus end with wins.
As they journey to Yankee Stadium this time, the Union have the power to render most of the hazy range of possibilities moot.
“The math is telling us that,” winger Fafa Picault said. “We’re either going to win away and play at home, or we’re not going to mention the other possibility. We’re just ready for whatever. The fact that we’ve clinched already is great. We’ve been great on the road this year. That doesn’t mean we want to set ourselves up for an away game in the playoffs, but whatever the outcome of the situation, we’re ready for it.”
The final mile of MLS’ marathon is simple in principle. New York City FC (15-10-8, 53 points) leads the Union (1513-5, 50) by three points. A Union win would leave the teams even, the Union owning the tiebreaker for more wins, to bring playoff soccer to Chester for the first time since 2011.
If the Union lose and remain stuck on 50, it’s probable D.C. United (14-118, 50 points) and Columbus (13-11-9, 48 points) will pass them. D.C. United hits the road for the first time in what feels like months to play 10th-place Chicago, while Columbus entertains the West’s ninth-place team, Minnesota United, last seen in Philly hemorrhaging five goals Oct. 1.
That the Union can alter their playoff trajectory against NYCFC seems fitting, since the Aug. 18 win over the Cityzens at Talen Energy Stadium signaled the Union’s arrival as a contender. That was one of the early blows in a 7-2-2 run over the last 11 games. NYCFC, adapting to the post-Patrick Vieira era under coach Domenec Torrent, have stumbled to a 1-5-3 mark down the stretch.
The Union are coming off a 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls, the goal on a penalty kick surrendered to a team that tied the MLS record for wins in the post-shootout era. The defensive solidity against Red Bulls is a minor victory to which coach Jim Curtin assents.
“We’re not about moral victories, but at the same time, going into a big time game against New York City FC and then into playoffs, I’m proud of where the group is at,” Curtin said. “It’s a testament to the players and their performance on the field.”
One of the granular victories was holding Red Bulls forward Bradley WrightPhillips without a shot for the first time in 47 starts. It’s also, per Curtin, the first time in 97 matches that the British striker, who has 20 goals this season, has failed to register a touch in the penalty area.
That’s particularly salient as the Union’s transition from defending Wright-Phillips to David Villa. Though injuries have slowed the Spanish striker, he still has 13 goals in 19 starts and remains one of the most accomplished players in MLs history. He’s forged a spectacular relationship with Maxi Moralez, the diminutive Argentine playmaker who is near the MLS lead with 15 assists to complement eight goals.
“He’s kind of the key in terms of if someone is going to play a pass that leads to a goal in their group, he is the most likely candidate,” Curtin said of Moralez. “And Villa is incredible timing those runs to get in behind. He’s a guy that if you give him a look, he’s going to score, so our center backs are going to have their hands full.”
The Union badly want a playoff game at home, as a reward for fans and players and for the increased odds of a long playoff run. Since implementing onegame opening-round playoffs in 2011, 15 of the 20 teams who have advanced have been home teams. But Curtin also believes he has a team that won’t go quietly on the road.
“I think we can beat any team on any field, regardless whether we’re home or away,” he said. “And that’s a powerful thing for our group to have.”