Andre Blake and Jim Curtin provide crucial Union updates ahead of decisive CCL Semi-Final second leg

It was heartbreak again Wednesday night as Union conceded a stoppage-time goal that not only saw LAFC earn a 1-1 draw on the road, but provided the reigning MLS Cup Champs with the slight advantage over the two-legged tie with away goals being the series tie-breaker. Now Union heads to LA for the first time since losing MLS Cup last November, where they’ll need to pull off their first-ever win against LAFC or a multi-goal tie if they want to punch their ticket to the CCL Finals.

Union keeper Andre Blake and Head Coach Jim Curtin spoke with the media on Monday to preview leg 2 against LAFC on Tuesday night and provided some updates and insight on how they’ll approach the decisive second leg.

Monday’s press conference was on the shorter side as Union was heading out for their final training session before their Leg 2 match on Tuesday night, but Andre Blake was the first to take the stand. Andre Blake started the press conference off by reflecting on Leg 1 a little bit and noting how this was another great match between two really great teams.

Union and LAFC have drawn in their last 5 matches, 10 goals scored by each side, with LAFC winning ok PKs in the game that mattered most. But Andre noted that while LAFC has been off to a great start to the season, they came to Subaru Park and showed respect to Union, which says something about the quality Union has as well. As I said before, this is the first time Union will be returning to LAFC after losing on PKs in MLS Cup, and when asked about that, here’s what Blake had to say

“For us, the way it ended, it’s always going to be on our minds, but we just try to use it as motivation”.
Union Goalkeeper, Andre Blake

Next Andre Blake was asked about Jose Martinez and his rumored absence from the lineup on Tuesday night, and how that changes things for Union.

“Jose is a really big part of what we do, if he can’t go we’re definitely going to miss him. But as Jim always says, the next men have to step up, that’s what makes a good team a really good team.”
Andre Blake

Andre was then asked about the emotions experienced in leg 1 and how the team has processed heartbreak again

“When the game was back at home, the big thing was to not concede, and then to score really late and then we conceded really late, it was emotionally really draining. But to come here where the games are always crazy, 3-3, 2-2, any of those results would see us through so even though it was really tough to concede, I think we still have a really good chance. Even if this game ends 0-0 and they go through, the pressure is going to be on them because we’re always close to scoring goals, if we score a goal or two it’s a different game.”
Andre Blake

Andre had to run to practice, but before heading out he answered one more question about his thoughts on the late equalizer from LAFC.

“When a goal goes in there’s always something I can do differently, I’m one of those goalkeepers that never wants to get scored on.”
Andre Blake

Jim Curtin would close out the press conference to preview Tuesday’s Leg 2 matchup, which started with an update on Jose Martinez, Union’s important defensive midfielder.

“Jose is recovering. If you remember in the game, the long forward run that he made he kind of tweaked his hamstring there, so unfortunately he’s not with us on the trip, he’s working hard back at home to rehab and get better.”
Union Head Coach, Jim Curtin

This update comes a day after Jose Martinez posted an Instagram story showing his leg propped up resting on a couch, while the rest of the team was flying to LA. It seemed unlikely with that photo that Martinez would be available for Tuesday’s match, but the news from Curtin all but confirms that someone new will need to step up as Andre Blake mentioned a few minutes before. Next Jim Curtin was asked about how the Union will look to replace Martinez in the lineup

“If you look at what they’ve done in the champions league, if you look at what they’ve done to teams in MLS I think it speaks for itself, so I think what we did at home was impressive. We played very well, we know we have a deep squad and we’ll have to adjust now. When a great player like Jose misses minutes it hurts and we’re not at our best, but I know that we have an ample roster to have guys step in and do a job.”
Jim Curtin

With the notion that a multi-goal tie sends Union through to the finals, Jim was next asked about the believability the team has going to LA knowing they’ve done just that in all of their recent visits to LAFC.

“My group is great because we know when we’ve been favored and we know when we’re the underdog but regardless of that, we go into games with no fear and we feel we can beat anybody. I think we;ve taken that approach in the past, but the fact is, we have to score tomorrow.”
Jim Curtin

As always with two-legged CCL ties, the outcome and tactics behind the tie change with every goal. Jim Curtin recognizes this and has this to say on the back-and-forth of emotions a second leg can provide

“It’s a unique one because at 2-1 to them, if we score we go through, If it’s 2-1 for us they have to score 3 goals so there;s a lot of uniqueness that comes into the game, there will be a lot of tactical changes and tweaks throughout the 90’s minutes. And Again it’s two really good teams that bring out the best of each other.”
Jim Curtin

Jim was asked some more on how the team will look to replace Jose, this time on an emotional level, in a game that’s grown to be heated between two of MLS’ best clubs.

“He’s a big part of our success. But we’re a team, we win as a team, we lose as a team, and we know this is a big opportunity for another guy to step up. Throughout our history we’ve had guys step up in big ways. We have a lot of different things we can go to, a lot of flexibility we can have in our group because we have such a strong squad. We’ll put a team that can still execute, that will fit our principles, and we’ll try to get a result against a strong opponent.”
Jim Curtin

And before Coach Curtin could head off to the field for the team’s last tune-up before their big match, Curtin was asked if the team is dealing with any other injuries and if the team can find more motivation being back in the same building they lost MLS Cup in.

“First part – everybody else is ready to go. Fully healthy. And then [secondly], there’s a history between the two teams, like I said before we bring the best out of each other, it’s two heavy weights with maybe different styles and different approaches but that;s what makes this game special.”
Jim Curtin

That’s all from Andre Blake and Jim Curtin’s preview of Tuesday night’s CCL Second Leg Semi Final matchup. Once again, a win or a multi-goal draw sends Union through to the CCL Finals. Tune in at 10 pm EST to see who punches their ticket.