Jim Curtin hails Philadelphia Union after remaining only unbeaten team in MLS
The Philadelphia Union now stand as the only unbeaten side in Major League Soccer after week 6 of the 2022 season.
Jim Curtin’s side defeated the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Saturday with an own goal by visiting goalkeeper Eloy Room to maintain their place atop the Eastern Conference table and extend their record to five wins and one draw.
“To start like this is something that gives confidence to our group but at the same time, I don’t think we’ve played great yet. I think we’ve been good in all the games, we’ve certainly been sound defensively, but we’re not a finished product, which I really, really like at this stage,” Curtin said.
“We’re not a team that’s peaking right now and has still almost 30 games in front of us. I like where the group’s at. I think we have the defensive part right. I think we have the grittiness right, the fight. We have the fans behind us, which helps tremendously. But this team has another level I think it can go to and it’s up to the coaching staff now to challenge them, to push them and get the most out of them and not get comfortable.”
Saturday’s victory also saw the first-ever start for Designated Player Miakel Uhre, who joined the Union during the offseason from Denmark’s Brondby. He joined DP striker and Inter Miami loanee Julian Carranza on the attack.
Uhre managed on shot on target in 76 minutes of action, slowly integrating himself into the team.
“He made some plays that led to some really good transitions, some good hold-up play, some good flicks that kept plays alive for us,” Curtin said of Uhre.
“Then you see his power and the strength to get in behind, had a couple good looks to get that second goal. But I’m sure that will come with time. Overall I'm really happy with the debut that he had.”
The team has now gone on to win five consecutive matches for the first time since debuting as an expansion team in Major League Soccer in 2010. The Union returns to action on Saturday when facing Toronto FC at BMO Field.