Union Look To Take Care Of Business Vs. Chivas USA
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – After a rough couple of matches on the road last week, the Philadelphia Union will be back home on Friday night to host Chivas USA.
Philadelphia got one point out of those two matches last week, playing Real Salt Lake to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday, and then losing on Saturday in Houston 1-0. The game in Utah was especially frustrating as the home time tied the game with a goal in the final minute of stoppage time, costing Philadelphia two points.
"Very difficult places to play," Union forward Conor Casey tells KYW Newsradio about last week's matches. "Salt Lake's been one of the best teams in the league over the last handful of years, the same with Houston. We knew we had our work cut out for us and I thought we played very well in Salt Lake and were unlucky in the last minute to give up a goal. In Houston we lost by one, didn't necessarily play our best game, but given the circumstances and how the season's gone so far, we're in good position coming into the weekend."
Conor Casey Interview
The 31-year-old Casey has been a key performer for the Union this season. He is second on the team (behind Jack McInerney) with six goals and he tied for third on the squad with three assists.
"You always hope to improve upon your previous performance," Casey says. "I've been happy to be healthy for most of the year, that's been my main things. It's been a very fun year, great group of guys, and a team that's in a good position right now at the midway point. For me, it's just really all about trying to continue doing the small things and scoring goals and doing what I can to help the team be successful."
Chivas USA comes to town struggling. They are last in the Western Conference with just 14 points (3-10-5 record).
"They've had a lot of changes I think in the last couple weeks with a new coach," Casey says. "They've brought in some new players. So it's going to be a different team than has played for most of the season. For us it's just all about coming out with a lot of energy and trying to take our game to them."
The Union and Chivas will get underway at 7:30pm on Friday night.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
