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Philadelphia Union take ‘big step forward’ with first-ever playoff victory

The Union waited 10 years for their first win in the postseason.

CHESTER, Pa. — Ten years worth of frustration, disappointment and sadness was let go from the Talen Energy Stadium crowd as the final whistle blew on the Philadelphia Union’s first-ever playoff win. 

The reaction to the 4-3 extra-time win over the New York Red Bulls was even a few octaves louder than expected because of what the Union endured over 120 minutes. 

“While we recognize now we haven’t won a championship yet, this is a big step forward for the club. It’s the type of win that could build momentum in a playoff run,” Union manager Jim Curtin said. 

After all, this is a Union franchise that never makes things easy on itself in knockout situations. It has experienced 11 extra-time games in its U.S. Open Cup history and lost its previous four postseason games. 

Up until the final seconds, there was a tense feeling inside the stadium, especially as the Red Bulls rushed forward with a three-man advantage in stoppage time of the second extra-time period. 

Marco Fabián, Fafà Picault and Jamiro Monteiro rushed to the sideline to celebrate what would have been the club’s fifth goal. But a late offside call and a quick restart forced the three to scurry back and hope the visitors would not take advantage of the situation.

In previous years, that may have been the quintessential “That’s So Union” moment, one in a long list of occurrences that is only trumped by the “That’s So Metro” feelings invoked by numerous failures from Sunday’s opponent. 

The come-from-behind win without 15-goal scorer Kacper Przybyłko, who was out of the lineup with a foot injury, made it even more memorable. 

“In that moment, it’s everything or nothing,” Monteiro said. “We fought and came back like the first game against them at home.” 

The trio of scorers in the comeback were a center back with five-career goals, one of the shortest players latching on to a header and a big-name signing labeled as a disappointment, until Sunday night. 

“Everyone felt the momentum, even [the third Red Bulls] goal just before the half, I think they didn’t put a nail in our coffin,” Union center back Jack Elliott said. “No one came in thinking we were going to lose the game, and no one went out thinking we were going to lose the game. I think everyone thought we were going to win the game, that was our belief. We had the momentum right from the start, and we used it, we used the crowd and we came out and just gave everything.” 

When Fabián’s game-winning goal drifted over Luis Robles’ hand, a quick moment of shock came over the stadium before a raucous celebration that shook the upper level of the complex. 

“Everybody is going to remember this game,” Curtin said. “There’s a lot of reasons to remember it. They’re certainly going to remember that Marco scored the game-winning goal for sure.

“And when I talked with the Fox crew yesterday, whatever the game is, the Fabián game, we’ve had the Ilsinho game last game against Red Bull. This is one where people are going to remember this for a long time. Even not the fans of the Union, to be honest, so it’s a big one.” 

The postgame scene featured an even more unlikely occurrence. Owner Jay Sugarman, who has drawn many critics for his lack of high-profile spending, shared high fives with fans in the River End. 

Sunday’s victory did not earn the Union a trophy or berth in an international competition, but it erased a plethora of poor memories, and for one night at least, replaced it with a night that was dreamed of at the club’s formation. 

Maybe the Union will pull off an upset of Atlanta United in their preferred underdog role Thursday night, but even if that does not occur, tangible progress has finally been made in Chester. 

“It does feel like a little weight off,” Elliott said. “We’re not done yet by any stretch. It’s good to get that out of the minds of people saying that we can’t do anything. I think this team can do anything we put our minds to and we can fight for anything.”