The Philadelphia Union is about to make their MLS Cup debut on Saturday after triumphing within the Jap Convention.
The group concluded the common season in first place with 67 factors in 34 video games and a report of 19W-5L-10D, earlier than conquering reigning champions New York Metropolis FC and FC Cincinnati within the playoffs to achieve the coveted ultimate. However the strain is on as LAFC enter Saturday’s match because the clear favorites, after clinching their second Supporters’ Defend and managing 21 victories.
Although Union ahead Daniel Gazdag expects a tough match on the Banc of California Stadium, he insists the present Philadelphia group has what it takes.
“Now we have a very good group. The chemistry is superb between the coaches and the gamers, between Jim and every thing. And now we have good gamers, which is essential on this sport. Now we have a tremendous goalkeeper, and protection, one Defender of the 12 months. The employees right here, they constructed a very good group. The whole lot is working properly between the gamers and coaches.”
Gazdag is at the moment in his second season in Main League Soccer, after becoming a member of from Budapest Honvéd FC in 2021. Although he struggled that yr, he has since tailored properly to Jim Curtin’s fashion, permitting him to thrive within the ultimate third.
He recorded 22 objectives and 6 assists, numbers he didn’t even anticipate from himself.
“I wouldn’t say I anticipated greater than 22 objectives from myself. I wished to attain greater than 10 objectives and provides greater than 10 assists, so yeah I used to be comfortable but in addition a bit shocked of myself,” he mentioned with a smile. “Jim Curtin, and the techniques we play, his concepts, I really feel like I match into that system rather well. And on the non-public facet, he’s helped me lots since I arrived right here.”
Now, Gazdag will face his largest check but since becoming a member of MLS.
The 2 groups final confronted one another in Might, throughout the common season. Gazdag opened up the scoring within the ninth minute to earn the lead, earlier than the sport ultimately concluded in a 2-2 draw. However from what the Union ahead remembers from that match, the upcoming face off is certain to be as tense.
“My expectations,” he paused. “I feel we will play an excellent sport in opposition to LAFC. They’ve an excellent group, similar to us. We performed in opposition to them one time, throughout the common season, and that was a tense and difficult sport I keep in mind. So I anticipate It’s going to be actually powerful as properly, however I feel we’ll win.”
The Philadelphia Union stand only one victory away from making group historical past with their first-ever league title.
