Skip to content
Union
Link copied to clipboard

Union look to get back on winning track

After losing in the quarterfinals of the Open Cup followed by a disappointing defeat in Montreal, coach Jim Curtin and the Union hope a singular mind-set will help right the ship in time for postseason play.

After losing in the quarterfinals of the Open Cup followed by a disappointing defeat in Montreal, coach Jim Curtin and the Union hope a singular mind-set will help right the ship in time for postseason play.

"It's all for the playoffs now," Curtin said Wednesday during his weekly news conference. "That's the only thing on everybody's mind."

Recently, Curtin praised his team's ability to bounce back after losses.

Sunday night at Talen Energy Stadium, resolve will be required again as Real Salt Lake will be eager to rejuvenate its struggling offense.

"They'll come in here with a bit of a chip on their shoulder and something to prove," Curtin said. "We know we'll have a tough task. They're a good team, well coached, organized, and the scary thing is, they could break out, and that's what we have to prevent."

Salt Lake is winless in its last six MLS matches. During that stretch, it has mustered just three goals, not once scoring more than once in a game.

Javier Morales, Joao Plata, and Kyle Beckerman figure to provide the pressure. Top goal scorer Yura Movsisyan, who leads Salt Lake with seven goals this season, injured a hip flexor last week and his status for Sunday is unknown.

Beckerman, who was selected to his ninth MLS All-Star Game, and goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who earned his seventh straight selection, provide RSL with experience.

The Union, however, return their own all-stars - rookie defender Keegan Rosenberry and goalkeeper Andre Blake participated in the All-Star Game on Thursday in San Jose, Calif.

Their defensive prowess will be needed as Curtin calls for his team to maintain its aggressive, pressing style, which has helped yield a 7-1-3 record at home.

The Union have not been as good on the road, and the key to a playoff push could come down to what happens away from Talen Energy Stadium. The Union are 1-6-3 on the road and have not earned a road win since March 12 against the Columbus Crew.

"We know that there's urgency and we need to close the season out the right way, and we expect to do that at home against Salt Lake on Sunday," Curtin said. "We need our fans behind us like they always are. In this building, we've established ourselves as a great home team. We need to find a way to translate that on the road."

cartera@phillynews.com

@AceCarterINQ