Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union have turned their season around and become, regardless of what the standings say, a good team.

The Union have gone 10-6-1 against MLS clubs in all competitions since their dreadful 2-5-2 start. That works out to 1.82 points per game since May 11, a rate that would be fifth best in MLS if taken over the full season.

Their record with Cory Burke starting at striker is even better.

In fact, it is literally perfect: 9-0-0 in all competitions.

Union record when Cory Burke starts

This isn’t to say that Burke is the Union’s long-term solution at striker. At 26, he’s a career journeyman thus far who has gradually worked his way up the professional ladder and never before scored at this rate. Sooner or later, opposing teams will have enough film to scout how to shut him down. Just like with every other MLS player, that’s when we’ll find out just how good he really is and will be in the long run.

Regardless, Burke is putting in quality shifts now, making good runs, getting great looks on goal, and burying most of them. He’s finishing the chances the Union have been creating for months and showing that, when they start someone at striker who isn’t cold as ice, they are really good.

Take the Union’s 3-2 road win over New England on Saturday, their third match in eight days. The Union midfield was clearly fatigued, and the Revolution controlled the run of play throughout most of the match.

But the Union did what good teams do: They stayed disciplined and exploited an opposition weakness to pull out a win.

The Union’s game plan was clear: Play tight defense, seize on counterattack opportunities when they emerge, and win corner kicks and free kicks whenever possible against a New England squad that struggles to defend set pieces. Essentially, the game plan was predicated upon patience, discipline, and opportunism. Once they took their lead, their approach to play was so deliberate that goalkeeper Andre Blake was booked for time-wasting. When they got their opportunities, they were merciless and efficient, netting three goals off set pieces.

When New England head coach Brad Friedel was interviewed at halftime during the Boston telecast, he said the following about the Union:

• “They’ve had three chances, all off set pieces.” 
• “I don’t think they’re getting any passing rhythm whatsoever. I think we’re stopping them from playing at all. They’re just sending long balls. I think [New England is] dealing with the long balls quite well. But we’ve got to get some of our crosses and more runners in the box, and I also think we can combine a little better around Trusty and Elliott.” 

Friedel’s assessments were spot on correct, and the second half played out similarly for the Union. Not until Antonio Delamea’s inexplicable handball on another set piece did the Union net their third goal, on Fafa Picault’s ensuing penalty kick.

The Union were tired, but they were opportunistic, seized their chances, and won a huge match because of it.

And just how big a game was this?

It is, as they say, a six-pointer, because New England is one of two teams — Montreal being the other — bunched with Philadelphia in the standings, occupying fifth through seventh places. (Note, however, that Toronto is behind them and still, well, Toronto.) Only six teams make the Eastern Conference playoffs, and right now, the Union occupy fifth, having jumped both New England and Montreal in the standings.

Following this, the Union’s upcoming schedule offers a stretch of five straight games against Eastern Conference foes that is full of winnable games. (Except wow, watch D.C. United.)

Upcoming Union schedule

They better win most of those games, because their schedule gets really tough after that, with their final six regular season matches being:

1. at Seattle
2. Kansas City
3. at Columbus
4. Minnesota
5. New York Red Bulls
6. at NYC FC

With the U.S. Open Cup final coming as the middle match of a three-games-in-eight-days stretch against Kansas City and Columbus and Seattle heating up, that span looks even tougher.

Many Union fans don’t like being optimistic these days, and it’s hard to blame them. Their overall record is what their overall record is, and that’s what determines the playoff field.

But the Union are doing their best impersonation of a good team right now, and they might even be for real.

Miscellaneous Union notes

• Finally, an early goal: Until Jack Elliott’s 14th minute goal on Saturday, the Union had not scored a single goal in the first 15 minutes of a regular season game this year. They were the only team in MLS that had yet to do so. Previously, their earliest had been a 21st minute goal by Marcus Epps against Salt Lake on May 19.
• Second half freeway: The Union have given up 30 goals in second halves of regular season games this year but just 11 in first halves. That’s the largest difference in MLS.
• Facing the barrage: Only one goalkeeper in MLS has faced more than the 136 shots on target that Andre Blake has faced: Montreal’s Evan Bush. Interestingly, the Union rank in the middle of the pack in terms of total shots faced (313), meaning opponents are getting better, clearer shots when they get them. Blake’s save rate this year is a pedestrian 68 percent, which doesn’t rank among the league’s top 10, but he ranks third in the league in saves, behind Bush and David Bingham.
• Burke finally doesn’t score: Saturday marked the first regular season match in which Burke started this year but didn’t score. He did hit the post with a powerful header.
• Jack Elliott: Elliott lost his starting spot when Mark McKenzie played well upon replacing him earlier this year, but he gave a clear reminder of just how good he is: Too good to be riding the bench. How that plays out over time remains to be seen, but right now, with Richie Marquez finally returning from injury, the Union have probably the deepest crop of center backs in the league.