Philadelphia Union reach playoffs in style with Minnesota mauling

Jim Curtin may hear fewer boos when his name is announced at Talen Energy Stadium in just over two weeks' time.

The Pennsylvanian head coach masterminded a 5-1 victory over Minnesota United on Saturday, booking the Philadelphia Union's spot in the postseason while simultaneously denying the Loons their first-ever playoff foray in their second MLS campaign.

Despite having to deal with slimmer resources than many of his coaching contemporaries, a portion of Union fans are unhappy with Curtin's management of the club. The anti-Curtin clan's anger hit fever pitch following the 3-0 defeat to the Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final on Sept. 26.

Finishes from Cory Burke and Alejandro Bedoya and a Fafa Picault brace established an unassailable four-goal lead by the interval. Darwin Quintero bagged a goal in an improved showing from Minnesota in the second stanza before the Union's Ilsinho concluded the scoring with an obscene, long-distance hit.