The Philadelphia Union aim to set a new franchise record for their longest unbeaten streak ever when they visit the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.
The Union (9-4-3, 30 points) are unbeaten in their past nine matches (7-0-2) to equal the club mark set last season when they went 2-0-7 from April 23 to June 26.
However, Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin expects a fierce challenge from the Earthquakes (6-5-5, 23 points), who are unbeaten at home (5-0-2) this season.
“In their building, they are going to be brave and difficult to play against,” Curtin said. “We’re going to again have to be almost perfect to take points back to Philly.”
The Union are 4-0-3 against San Jose since Curtin became coach in June 2014. That includes a 2-0 home win last season.
Philadelphia is coming off a solid 3-0 win over CF Montreal last Saturday. Julian Carranza scored two goals to raise his team-high season count to nine.
“He’s a striker that can score,” Curtin said. “He’s a striker that presses, so if you’re a team that likes to press, he’s a dream for a coach.
“He’s not afraid to put his body on the line to get a goal. So (I’m) really proud of the season Julian’s had; it gets better and better.”
San Jose played the host Colorado Rapids to a scoreless tie last weekend. Goalkeeper Daniel made five saves, including a big stop on Connor Ronan’s penalty kick in the 70th minute.
“Daniel was stepping it up, winning in the penalty kick, in the game moments in the run of play,” San Jose coach Luchi Gonzalez said. “But collectively, the team put a great effort, (with) mentality and grit to defend and to earn points. In reflection, I think it’s positive, we’ll grab that, and now we get to go home and play a really good Philadelphia team and try to earn maximum points.”
San Jose blanked host Seattle 1-0 in its previous game on May 31 and is unbeaten (1-0-2) in its past three matches.
Also, the Earthquakes have allowed just four goals in their seven home games.
Cristian Espinosa (eight goals) and Jeremy Ebobisse (six) lead the San Jose attack.
–Field Level Media
