Jim Curtin Sets Minimum Goal For Philadelphia Union To Clinch Playoff Berth

The Philadelphia Union manager told reporters on Tuesday the exact point total needed from the final three games to feel safe in the playoff race.

Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin has gone through all the Eastern Conference playoff permutations.

Curtin defined a clear minimum goal for the Union’s final three games during his Tuesday press conference.

“What I do know is if we get four points out of the next three games, it pretty much guarantees a playoff berth,” Curtin said. “I know that’s not an easy thing to do, but with each team playing each other, cannibalizing each other, taking points from each other, four points should all but guarantee an opportunity in the playoffs.”

“I’m pretty dialed into everyone’s opponents for the rest of the year, what scenarios can happen,” Curtin said. “Toronto has two games left. New England has four. There’s different wild, crazy things that can go on in the next couple weeks.”

The Union enter Wednesday’s road game against Orlando City in ninth place in the Eastern Conference on 37 points.

Five teams beneath the Union in the standings are still alive for the two playoff berths left to clinch in the East.

Upon first glance, 41 points doesn’t seem like it will be enough for the Union to finish in the top nine because of all the congestion.

But when you look at all the remaining games involving two teams from 8th to 14th, you see what Curtin is looking at.

On Wednesday alone, Montreal visits Atlanta and D.C. heads to Nashville.

Here’s the full schedule of games left to watch in the East playoff race:

Wednesday, October 2

Montreal at Atlanta

New York Red Bulls at Toronto

New England at Houston

D.C. at Nashville

Saturday, October 5

Inter Miami at Toronto

New York Red Bulls at Atlanta

Montreal at Charlotte

D.C. at New England

Sunday, October 6

Nashville at NYCFC

Saturday, October 12

New England at Columbus

Saturday, October 19

Nashville at Chicago

Charlotte at D.C.

New England at Inter Miami

NYCFC at Montreal

Atlanta at Orlando

“Are there scenarios where one point or three point does, yes there are, but then you’re asking for help, asking for luck, asking for referee decisions. Or if you leave to the last game, you’re a red card away from being in trouble,” Curtin said.

The Union are ahead of CF Montreal because of a superior goal differential. Wins is the first tiebreaker, but both clubs have nine victories.

An unexpected win over Orlando would change the complexion of the race, as would a draw and ties in the matches in Atlanta and Nashville.

Of course, the Union are going to play for the win on Wednesday night, and if you look at how they responded on the road in the two recent trips to New York, there’s hope a victory can happen.

“I always say you want to control your own destiny while you’re control of it, which we are right now. Winning is ultimately the thing that takes all of the uncertainty out of it. That will be hard in Orlando, but it’s the best recipe for the response to Atlanta, where we felt we left two points on the table,” Curtin said.

Photo Courtesy of Philadelphia Union.