The Philadelphia Union did not jump out of the gate the way they were expected to during the 2023 MLS Season, but since losing to Cincy in early April the squad's gone unbeaten in seven matches (5W, 2D).
Their latest victory, a 3–1 win over NYCFC at City Field in New York, was another palm strike on the tables of Union doubters this season. And Philly head coach Jim Curtin knows this.
"We got beat by LAFC in the [Concacaf] Champions League [semi-finals], I think there was a moment where everybody thought the sky was falling and we were in trouble," he said after the match. "But we do our talking on the field, and I'll continue to let my players continue to talk really well."
In what's rapidly becoming the usual suspects' list, Union striker Julian Carranza put in a brace in the first half's stoppage time, while the mighty Magyar Dániel Gazdag cemented a penalty in the 53rd minute to complete a come-from-behind victory after NY's Gabriel Pereira got the home team on the board at the half hour mark.
Read the latest MLS news here
Curtin made it a point to draw comparisons between Carranza and NYCFC alum and fellow Argentine Taty Castellanos, hinting to his striker's possible future in Europe.
"Great game from Julian. I thought his best game of the season in all phases," Curtin said. "I don't know how long I'll get to work with him, because I think he's that good, but I'm going to keep trying to push him as hard as I can."
That aside, Curtin knows the best policy is to stay levelheaded ahead of their next home match against Charlotte FC.
"It's never easy in this league. The table kind of means nothing... any team can beat us at any moment," he said. "So, again, it's tricky. We have to be up for the task of recovery, resting now, and getting ready for [Charlotte].
"We're playing good soccer, and we know we're capable of playing even better."
This article was originally published on 90min as Philadelphia Union continue resurgence with win over New York City FC.
