Philadelphia Union Spotlight: Uhre’s consistent form helps front 3 thrive in hunt for Playoff spot

After a frustrating stretch of no goals in 8 games and plenty of backlash from fans earlier this season, Mikael Uhre made it 4 consecutive games with after netting the opener against DC United on Sunday night. The early goal paved the way to a 4-0 win at home for Jim Curtin‘s Blue and Gold, and moved Uhre’s MLS season goal total up to 10 goals for the 2nd time in his Union career.

“Confidence for strikers is everything. You look at Tai [Baribo] right now and his work rate leads to so many good chances and he’s ruthless in front of goal – Mikael is the same way. He runs in bunches and goals come in bunches with him.”

Most Consistent Run of Form for Uhre in Philadelphia

With his goal against DC on Sunday night, Mikael Uhre has now scored in 4 consecutive games for the first time since joining the Philadelphia Union. It’s the most consistent run of form Uhre’s been on since coming to Philly from a goal-scoring front, but many have been quick to point out the positive things Uhre brings to Union’s team even when he’s not scoring.

When I asked about him on Sunday night, Curtin says the biggest difference that’s helped Uhre not only score more goals but open up more opportunities for his teammates in recent weeks, is his ability to stay involved and not disappear for long stretches of the game and his movement off the ball – something I’ve always rated as an important piece to this team’s puzzle.

“I’ve said It a million times and I’ve said it to Mikael, the more he touches the ball in the run of play, it leads to more involvement in the game. He has to avoid the spells where there’s 15-20 minutes where you don’t see him, I think those are the things he’s avoided in recent games and he’s been able to even come off the center backs a little bit and pop up in different spots.

Everybody knows he’s going to try and run in behind, so sometimes now just to set up the defense, coming a little bit underneath, getting a touch or two, getting some involvement, and getting comfortable leads to opening up the defense a little bit more.”

Uhre’s Importance Down the Stretch

Union’s 4-0 win against DC puts them back above the playoff line with 4 games to go, but the team knows they have to keep collecting points if they want to see themselves in a playoff position come the end of Decision Day. Much of that success is largely going to rely on the offensive production of Union’s front 3 in Tai Baribo, Daniel Gazdag, and Mikael Uhre in the final 4 games, and Jim Curtin feels like his striker is reaching peak fitness and form going into that pivotal stretch.

“He’s a great striker, he’s a great finisher, made some really, really good plays tonight, could have scored 3 or 4 goals I would say, and I think his fitness is getting better and better now too. I’ve been taking him out around 60 [minutes] because it’s been a busy week and I don’t want to risk any injuries because he’s so important, but it’s a really dangerous group of 3 guys.“

Uhre’s Stong Form Helps Front 3 Dominate

With goals from Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo and a brace from Daniel Gazdag, Union’s front 3 scored all 4 goals in a 4-0 route of DC United on Sunday night. The 4-goal night moves the front 3’s goal tally to 10 in their previous 4 games, and up to 35 across the entire MLS season, making them one of the best attacking trios in all of Major League Soccer.

But Jim Curtin says he’ll continue asking for more poduction from his front 3 in the final 4 games of the regular season, not only because he knows he can get more out of them, but because he knows Union’s playoff hopes largely depend on it.

“Happy with the way they scored [against DC], but I still am going to demand more and more out of those guys because they’re really talented”.

Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire