It was a cold, cold night on the banks of the Delaware River for many fans as the Union overcame two deficits and two VAR overturned goals. Like the grit and determination of the city of Philadelphia, Daniel Gazdag’s extra time goal allowed the Union to walk away with 2-2 draw against Chicago and salvage, what was for some fans, a less than optimistic start to the MLS regular season.

Slow start in the first half

In his post game press conference, Head Coach Jim Curtin addressed the slow start that saw the Union concede the first goal and take a 1-0 into the half. “Not a ton of chance creation in the first half. Second half started and I thought that we looked like ourselves again and you know, kept them pinned in and did a good job of creating chances, you know, showed a lot of character to get back in the game. Obviously, we’re never happy with a tie at home but at the same time, early in the year still things to build on.”

Over the last two MLS seasons, the Union have only conceded first in 5 of 34 games. While it is early in the season, is it something to keep an eye on? “You get behind the goal, you show character, which is good to come back into the game and take control of it and dominate for long stretches down in Saprissa and then also tonight, but at the end of the day, we’re never happy with the point in this building. So the locker room, you know, is a little bit frustrated, but at least showed some character to come back, which is important. But again, a lot we can clean up and certainly work on.”

Jim on the front 3

“You know, I haven’t spoken to Mikael yet, but I’m sure he’s mad. He didn’t score the one at the end, you know, that should should win the game, because he’s good enough to score that one. So when we’re not at our best, you need your top players to be the ones that make the difference. And certainly a lot of nights that happens whether it’s Julian, whether it’s Danny, whether it’s Mikael, but at the same time, you know, look, he had a, I would say a good game.”

It was good to both see Uhre and Gazdag getting goals and as we know the Union go only as the front three go. Granted, all three missed some chances on Saturday, but the front three looked in good form through the first two games.

All this brings up another question about fitness as the Union look through the first two games to be in great conditioning, which Jim spoke on. “Yeah, the guys are fit. I thought Bueno and Ale came in to the last game, couple of the guys came in really late and did a good job. You know, we know the guys that are ready to play MLS minutes, and we’re going to use those guys. Obviously, like I said, we have a third game now. On short rest that we’ll probably tweak and adjust things, for sure. But yeah, the group is fit. Our sports performance department’s done a great job; I like where the guys are at. You can see them pushing even at the end of the game tonight to try to get that third goal. Just didn’t go in for us.”

The Union return home Tuesday night for the second leg of the opening round versus Saprissa, which the Union are currently up 3-2 on aggregate. With Andre Blake’s status still up in the air expect a closely fought match.

(Clockwise from top left) Nathan Harriel and Jack McGlynn celebrate a Harriel goal that would ultimately be negated after VAR ruled it offside; New 76er Cameron Payne was the drum striker; Coach Jim Curtin, the man in black with his new suit look; Quinn Sullivan had an impressive night and continued to make a strong case for himself in the starting lineup. Photos courtesy of the Philadelphia Union.

(Main article photo: The starting lineup for the Union versus Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union)