PHILADELPHIA – The LA Galaxy's success in Major League Soccer leads to plenty of admirers including the Philadelphia Union.
The Union host the Galaxy on Wednesday at Talon Energy Stadium in what is already being billed by the club as their “biggest test of the season.” Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin, who has guided the Union to their best start since 2011, admits that his side faces a major challenge against the Galaxy on Wednesday.
"They’re a team that has had the big names and they have won [MLS Cups], and that’s something that gets recognition," said Curtin during his press conference. "They’re the gold standard of the league in recent years for sure -- the Patriots of MLS — and they have a way of winning."
At the forefront of that success is the Galaxy’s version of the Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick, Bruce Arena. Curtin, a former MLS defender, could not hide his respect for the Galaxy boss and his ability to balance the complexities of coaching a team like the Galaxy.
"He’s the best coach that the US has had, right, so he knows what he’s doing," said Curtin. "He’s been through the wars. He has a way of motivating stars, and he has a way of motivating underrated or under-appreciated players, so he pushes the right buttons.
"His way of doing it is getting his best 11 of the field regardless of people that want to talk about formation or style and different things like that. He gets his best guys on the field and motivates them to play.”
Despite the Galaxy’s star power on the touchline and on the field, Curtin believes that his squad that includes the likes of Chris Pontius, C.J. Sapong, and Tranquillo Barnetta can give Los Angeles a run for their money.
"We want to see just how much we’ve raised the bar," said Curtin. "I think we’ve raised it a lot, and the players believe that, too. The 90 minutes is your test to show the strides we’ve made. Everyone is anxiously awaiting this game. It’s a big match."
