An unbelievable turnaround for the Philadelphia Union | John Smallwood
Out of nowhere, the Union have become one of MLS's hottest teams.
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas caused a stir Friday on NBCSN when, during a live interview, he reacted in astonishment at little-used substitute Michy Batshuayi's coming off the bench and scoring the goal that sealed the English Premier League title by saying, "Football is f*****g unbelievable."
The Philadelphia Union did not win the Major League Soccer Cup by blasting D.C. United, 4-0, in Washington on Saturday night. In fact, with 10 points, the Union are still in last place in the Eastern Conference, tied with Montreal.
Still, considering where the Union are today as opposed to where they were three matches ago, a "soccer is f*****g unbelievable" might be appropriate.
On April 22, the Union reached the lowest point of their miserable start by choking up a three-goal lead at home and playing to a 3-3 draw with Montreal.
The team was winless in seven matches and sitting on three points. The season was on the verge of being over just as it was getting started.
Now going into Wednesday's game at Talen Energy Stadium against the Houston Dynamo, the Union are one of the hottest teams in MLS.
Philadelphia is unbeaten in four matches, riding three consecutive clean sheets and having won two straight by combined score of 7-0. With back-to-back victories over traditional rivals New York Red Bulls and D.C. United, the Union have picked up eight points in the last four matches.
Philadelphia has 24 MLS matches left, meaning there are a possible 72 points still to be earned.
In 2016, the Red Bulls won the Eastern Conference with 57 points and that was after a 3-7-1 start for 10 points after 11 matches. The Union made the playoffs with 42 points.
"It's good," Union goalkeeper Andre Blake said of the team's mindset. "We never stop believing in what we can do.
"… Just the start of the season, things weren't really going our way and it's good that we're starting to get on a run.
"I think all of the guys know that there's a lot more that we can do, so we've just got to go back to training, keep working hard and get ready for the next game."
The light bulb just seemed to switch on for the Union.
After totaling five goals through its first six games, Philadelphia (2-4-4) has netted 10 in its last four. Against D.C. United, Haris Medujanin, Oguchi Oneywu, Fifa Picault and Fabian Herbers all tallied their first goals of the season.
From a tunnel of pitch blackness, the Union suddenly see bright light.
Whether you call it football or soccer, it is sometimes f*****g unbelievable.