CHESTER, Pa. – Coming into the 2015 season, the Philadelphia Union’s plan was to partner Maurice Edu and Vincent Nogueira in deep midfield and have them be the key distributors in the team’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
But after three games, that plan might have to change for Sunday’s Eastern Conference tilt against the winless Chicago Fire (5 pm ET; ESPN2, ESPN Deportes).
With attacking midfielders Cristian Maidana (left MCL sprain) and Zach Pfeffer (suspension) both out of commission, along with strikers C.J. Sapong (fractured cheekbone) and Conor Casey (sports hernia), Union head coach Jim Curtin will likely move Nogueira into more of an attacking role – a position he played for much of the 2014 season.
“You’d like to have a full stable of guys,” Curtin said. “We had that for only 45 minutes [in the season opener] against Colorado, but every team in the league is going through injuries and international callups. Everyone is a little shorthanded. … Obviously Vincent’s done the No. 10 spot. It’s not his ideal spot, it’s not his preferred spot, but it’s one where he’s done a good job.”
If Nogueira does get pushed up, Edu will likely move into Nogueira’s No. 8 spot with Michael Lahoud or Brian Carroll getting the start at Edu’s No. 6 position.
That’s not dissimilar to how the Union set up the midfield for the first part of the 2014 season before determining Maidana was better suited in the middle of the field than on the left wing.
“Regardless, I think it’s an opportunity for someone else to come in,” Edu said. “And my position, whether it’s a [No.] 6 or 8, it’s similar roles. Obviously an 8, there’s a little more onus on me to get forward and create. And 6 is more so protecting the back four. It’s a slight change, but it’s not dramatic and it’s something I’m pretty comfortable with.”
Despite the fact that the Union are off to a disappointing 0-1-2 start, Edu believes he and Nogueira have formed a good partnership in the midfield. He also believes that his team is ready to blossom, starting with Sunday’s nationally televised showcase.
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“I feel good,” the Philadelphia captain said. “I think we have a great group of guys. It’s a group of guys who are hungry. We have a pretty young squad, guys that want to learn and get better. And that bodes well for not just this season but the club in the future. I think it’s now just a matter of pushing every guy on the team to achieve their full potential. At our best, we can compete with any team in this league.”
The key now, of course, is managing a slew of injuries – longtime starting right back Sheanon Williams is also out with a strained hamstring – and winning their first game of the season with a depleted roster.
“Right now, there are five guys that have been starters in MLS in their careers that are on the shelf,” Curtin said. “So with any roster in MLS, you take away five guys that are starters, you’re going to look a little thin. But I actually think we have more depth than we’ve had, to be honest. It’ll be tested in Chicago, but it’s a next-man-up mentality right now.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
