With his team preparing to depart for a big showdown in Chicago, Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin assessed the performance last weekend against Atlanta and the importance of winning games against teams around you in the standings.
Penalties change games
For the second match in a row against Atlanta, a penalty kick proved to be the moment that turned the match in the Five Stripes' favor. "Gave up the pk, which obviously changed the game," Curtin said. "Andre maybe got a late read on it, and the foul is a foul and a penalty kick." Atlanta center back Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez played a stunning throughball to release Miguel Almiron early in the second half of the match Saturday.