The Union is red hot coming into the 2022 season. With their 10 points through 4 games, the club sits alone atop the Eastern Conference and tied for the top of MLS. The pattern from the Union’s hot streak shows them winning in an unusual fashion.
To recap, the Union may have exorcised two of their biggest demons over the weekend.
The Union’s 2-0 Win over NYCFC in Yankee Stadium was huge for 2 reasons. First, despite Jim Curtin saying revenge wasn’t on the mind coming into the game, it most certainly was. After losing to NYCFC at home in the Eastern Conference Final down 11 players, the Union showed what that game could have been like. Winning in the fashion they did should be a huge confidence boost.
However, possibly bigger is the fact the Union won their first game in Yankee Stadium. Everyone knows the joke that is NYCFC playing inside Yankee Stadium. There is no point in further hammering how bad of a look it is for the league. The Union finally getting their first win shows how different this year’s team could be. On the road and in a dangerous field that doesn’t fit FIFA regulations (even if NYCFC/MLS tells you it does) is something Union teams of the past have never figured out.
Winning the Union Way
The Union isn’t just winning, but they are doing it the way Jim Curtin loves. That is not possessing the ball.
The Union is dead last in all of MLS in time of possession.
Week 1 they had 52%, followed by 34% in Montreal, 31% against San Jose, and finally a whopping 26% against NYCFC.
The most fascinating number is the 26% against NYCFC. That number would tell you NYCFC would have mustered at least some work out of Andre Blake. However, other than 1 moment inside the first 10 minutes, Andre Blake had a quiet day. NYCFC got 18 shots off, only 3 of which were on goal.
Giving up 26% of possession and only allowing 3 shots on goal is just a beautiful defensive effort. Smothering any NYCFC attack consistently and efficiently.
The style Jim Curtin plays the Union has always been on the lower end of possession time. Being on top of MLS while being dead last in time of possession is showing Jim Curtin’s system at its very best.
Nathan Harriel’s Emergence
We all expected Nathan Harriel to challenge Mbaixo for the RB spot. No one expected Harriel to have it locked up as his by week 4.
Harriel, just 20 years old, keeps building stronger performances week in and out. Grabbing an assist this week and being integral to shutting down a potent NYCFC offense. He earned himself a spot on the MLS Team of the Week for week 4.
There is no doubt Harriel’s spot as the starting RB is locked in as his.
How Long Will It Last?
The Union won’t go undefeated. (Probably… We all can dream.) The squad gets a quick break for this round of World Cup Qualifying. Their next match is at home on April 2nd against Charlotte.
Charlotte is an expansion team, however, they are coming off their first win in the club history of New England. Following that they get Columbus at home, one of the other 6 remaining undefeated teams in MLS.
The more the Union can build off this momentum and the more points they can rake in early will make it easier when they start to cool off.
At the moment, however, they have a claim as the best team in MLS after knocking off the defending champions in their home and could keep grabbing big wins early in the year.
Featured Image: Major League Soccer
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