CHESTER, Pa. – Through nine games, the grades are in for the Philadelphia Union. And they’re not good.
“If I was to judge our group, defensively we’ve been an ‘F’ as a team,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said. “Offensively, I’d still say it’s incomplete because Vincent [Nogueira] hasn’t been consistently out there, Fernando [Aristeguieta] hasn’t been consistently in training with the group, [Cristian Maidana’s] finally getting back on the field. … So it’s still to be determined on that. We have to improve defensively as a team. Seventeen goals in nine games is not acceptable, and it’s something that I have to fix.”
To fix it, Curtin alluded to some lineup changes for Saturday’s important Eastern Conference tilt with Toronto FC at PPL Park (4 pm ET; TSN4). And while he didn’t specifically lay out his plans, it seems likely that Andrew Wenger and Sebastien Le Toux – the struggling wingers that Curtin said “will tell you their production hasn’t been where they hold themselves to” – won’t start and that C.J. Sapong and Eric Ayuk will take their place on the wings.
Curtin also hopes leading scorer Aristeguieta and top playmaker Noguiera can return from injury after both missed Philadelphia's ugly 4-1 loss to Columbus this past Saturday.
“There will be changes,” Curtin said. “I thought there were guys that came in [last week] and gave us life. Obviously, Ayuk was dangerous on the day and gives us a spark. I thought C.J. put in a good shift – those are a few guys that are in good form for us right now. And Fernando looks like he’ll be back with the group, so that’s a change. And then defensively, there could be a change or two as well.”
It’s the defensive struggles that have really stung for Curtin, a former standout center back who had hoped to build a stingy club known for winning 1-0 games.
Instead, the Union (1-5-3) rank last in the league in goals allowed by a wide margin and fell flat on their face in Columbus last weekend, giving up three goals before halftime en route to their worst loss of the season.
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But rather than point the finger at certain members of the backline – Fabinho, for instance, made a couple of critical mistakes – Curtin looked to everyone on the field.
“Specifically with the defenders, they’ve been called upon to put out a lot of fires,” Curtin said. “You want to try to limit the chances you’re giving up to teams. And part of that starts with how we press as a front line, how our midfield cuts off passing lanes – it’s been a team thing.
"[There’s been] a little bit of bad luck to be sure, but at the same time, I believe you create your own luck with the effort you’re putting out. And we’ve given up too many soft goals as a group.”
As far as the defensive changes that might be made this weekend, Fabinho will likely return to the bench with Sheanon Williams regaining his starting fullback spot. And center back Steven Vitoria, who’s played every minute this season, is also questionable with a groin injury, meaning Ethan White could return to the lineup.
But whoever plays along the backline, Curtin knows that controlling possession – another huge problem area this season – will perhaps be even more important, especially against a talented Toronto midfield that includes US national team star Michael Bradley.
“Possession-wise, we’ve been a disaster in terms of keeping possession, staying calm, moving that extra two yards on the field that creates an angle to play out of a tough spot,” Curtin said. “And then confidence goes a long way in possession. When you have confident players, they want the ball in tight spots. And right now, we’d rather shy away from moving the extra yard or two to keep possession.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
