The Philadelphia Union players and staff will admit their end-of-season MLS form did not go the way they would’ve liked, but luckily for them they have a fresh start to get back to winning ways.
Jim Curtin’s squad open their first round Best-of-3 playoff schedule on Saturday at Subaru Park against the New England Revolution, seeking a positive first step to a potential return to MLS Cup. The Union have taken a dip compared to last season’s record-breaking campaign, finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference and struggling away from their home ground in Chester, Pennsylvania.
With added pressure already on them from fans and media alike, the Union know how important it is to get off to a strong start.
“Now, the real season starts,” Curtin said Friday in his pre-match press conference. “The players are excited. We obviously face a familiar opponent, having played them in the last game of the season – that makes the preparation still involved and detailed, but it’s one that we’re not gonna have any big surprises I think from from either team really.
“Two strong teams who worked very hard all season to get home field advantage, and now in the best of three series, we know that they have to beat us at least once in this building to move on and that’s something that’s very hard to do,” he added. “We need our fans to be as loud as they normally are, Subaru Park is a very special place and we now look to go on another memorable MLS Cup playoff run.”
The Union have only won one of their last eight matches in league play, recently suffering a 2-1 Decision Day loss to the Revs at Gillette Stadium. Despite having one of the league’s dynamic attacking units, the Union have struggled to replicate last season’s success, scoring 15 goals fewer offensively and conceding 15 goals more defensively.
In addition, the Union will likely see several key players depart this winter with captain Alejandro Bedoya and star left back Kai Wagner already being linked with moves away from the club. Curtin didn’t reveal any of the club’s future plans this year, but knows plenty will likely change in terms of his roster for 2024.
“This isn’t gonna be the exact same team as when the season starts next year,” Curtin said. “That’s the reality of our sport. So yeah, if you wanna call this one “The Last Dance” or “The Last Waltz”. It’s gonna be a group that I know is together, I know will fight for everything and I know is a tough out.”
Curtin will have plenty of decisions to make in regard to his squad for Saturday’s first match. Midfielders Jose Martinez, Jesus Bueno, and Leon Flach, and fullback Olivier Mbaizo are all back available for selection while defender Jakob Glesnes is the only player currently not at 100% physically.
Glesnes, who has accumulated over 140 appearances across all competitions for the Union, might not be risked against the Revs, opening the door for Curtin to start Jack Elliott and Damion Lowe alongside one another in defense.
“That’s how it’s been for the last 2 plus months, he’s been navigating a sports hernia so it becomes the issue of pain tolerance and what makes sense, and what doesn’t lead to even further damage,” Curtin said.
“We’ll be intelligent with that, we’ll speak with Jakob and see where he’s at,” he added. “But overall, we have a good group of centerbacks to choose from so whoever is called upon will be ready to go.”
Stopping the Revs’ attacking corp will be crucial for the Union backline on Saturday. Carles Gil, Gustavo Bou, and Tomas Chancalay have combined for 24 goals and 19 assists in league play, all proving to be match winners at some stage of the regular season.
A recent defeat at the hands of the Revs too could spark a fire under the Union players, something Curtin hinted at due to their Decision Day matchup.
“We played them in the last game of the year, so a lot of the work that has been done, we’re just kind of adding some layers and pieces to, in the event that maybe New England makes a change or subs different or whatever plays a different formation,” Curtin said.
“Overall, familiarity is a good thing, and it will lead to, I think, a really competitive series,” he added. “We have a good opponent knowing that starts with Carles Gil, Gustavo Bou in good form. They have a good backline, they’re organized, and they’re tough to play. So, the margins will be tight.”
