Union Preparing For Saturday's Key Showdown With Red Bulls
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- These are fun times for the Philadelphia Union as they are playing some of the best soccer in recent franchise history. They will look to stay hot on Saturday, when they host the New York Red Bulls in a key MLS match-up.
In addition to advancing to the finals of the U.S. Open Cup (set for Tuesday against Seattle), Philadelphia has won three straight MLS matches, and since interim team manager Jim Curtin took over back in June, they have gone 6-2-3 in MLS play.
"Got a lot of confidant guys and we're winning," Union winger Andrew Wenger tells KYW Newsradio. "Anytime you're winning games it makes soccer fun, so we're having a blast right now."
Philadelphia sits at 9-9-9 on the season and with 36 points they are tied for fourth in MLS Eastern Conference with Columbus.
Wenger has been playing very well as of late. He has scored three goals in his last three matches, with this success corresponding with the Union moving him from center forward to left wing.
"I played everywhere, all over the field, when I was younger at one point," Wenger says. "But it's been a little tricky, just getting the fitness down. I'm slowly coming around to it."
New York is just two points behind the Union in the standings (they will host D.C. United Wednesday night) and Wenger says they are a very good side.
"First of all, I think when you talk about New York Red Bulls, you talk about (forward) Thierry Henry," Wenger says. "He's been fantastic and on fire recently, so he's definitely a guy we're going to have to watch. They also have a couple of other real difference makers. I mean Bradley Wright-Phillips is on a tear this year. So we're going to have to come and bring our best performance."
Philadelphia and New York split their first two MLS meetings this season, each winning at home. New York grabbed a 2-1 decision on April 16th. The Union picked up a 3-1 win on July 16th.
Saturday's match will get underway at 3:00pm.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
Andrew Wenger
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