After a disappointing 2014 season in which the Philadelphia Union fired their coach after a slow start, they then made an historic run to the final of the U.S. Open Cup and got back into playoff contention, only to see it vanish in a trail of mental errors. The club was mostly quiet this offseason and is hoping that stability brings success. The team made only a few acquisitions, but those players will be very important to the success or failure of the club in 2015. Here is a primer:
2014: 10-12-12, 42 points (6th Place Eastern Conference, missed playoffs) 51 GF-51 GA
Key Losses: CB Carlos Valdes (loan to Nacional de Montevideo, Uruguay), MF-CB Amobi Okugo (traded to Orlando City), GK Zac MacMath (loaned to Colorado Rapids), MF Leo Fernandes (loaned to New York Cosmos), MF Pedro Ribeiro (selected by Orlando City in expansion draft)
Key Acquisitions: CB Steven Vitoria (loan from Benfica, Portugal), F Fernando Aristeguieta (loan from FC Nantes, France), MF Maurice Edu (permanent transfer from Stoke City, England), F C.J. Sapong (acquired from Sporting Kansas City)
Probable starting XI (4-2-3-1): Rais M’Bolhi; Raymond Gaddis, Steven Vitoria, Ethan White, Sheanon Williams; Maurice Edu, Vincent Nogueira; Andrew Wenger, Christian Maidana, Sebastien LeToux; Fernando Aristeguieta
The Union have been prone to mental lapses and controversy throughout the organization’s entire existence, however manager Jim Curtin had the interim tag removed after the season and it appears he has the team moving in the right direction. He resisted making too many changes this offseason, keeping a solid core intact and allowing the team to develop both unity and stability. Those are often overlooked by fans and journalists who instead focus on the flashy signings, or lack thereof. Union fans have been frustrated by the lack of big spending and disappointed in the acknowledgement that the club will never have deep enough pockets to compete financially with Toronto, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York and Orlando. Curtin understands the frustration as a Philadelphia-area native and knows he needs to succeed quickly.
Curtin has also established a set formation, though he has said it may look like a 4-2-4 at times and he may opt for two forwards instead of just one. This is something that also cannot be understated in importance. Playing a consistent formation and lineup is integral to success. The players know their roles and know they won’t be shifted around all the time. The team will rely on high pressure and intensity all over the field and counterattack when they have the ball. The team has often suffered from a lack of height. This is no longer a problem with the additions of Vitoria (6’5), Sapong, Aristeguieta and rookie forward Dzenan Catic, all well over six feet tall. This added height will help improve set pieces, both offensively and defensively.
One area that many felt was not in need of an upgrade last season was at goalkeeper, which yet again became the hot topic in Philadelphia. MacMath had been criticized throughout his career and it looked like he would be out of a job after the Union traded up to number one to take Andre Blake. MacMath beat out Blake and was having his best season last year when the Union brought in Algerian international Rais M’Bolhi. He had just introduced himself to the world with several impressive appearances in the World Cup, especially in the round of 16 match versus Germany. Everyone was shocked or surprised by the signing and M’Bolhi did himself very few favors by only playing four matches for the team. MacMath played the rest of the games. M’Bolhi was solid for the most part but did little to end the questioning of his signing. He will be mostly remembered for his horrific blunder against Chicago, in which his poor clearance led to the tying goal in the final minute. The mistake cost the team a victory and helped keep them out of the playoffs. It didn’t help that the Union have struggled to close out matches and give up plenty of goals late in games. They also blew a 2-0 lead against Columbus, giving up three goals in the final fifteen minutes to lose 3-2. That game was the death knell for the Union’s playoff hopes.
Philadelphia Union best case scenario: the team defense is better than last season and they get more consistent goal scoring. LeToux is on the wrong side of 30 and can’t be the go-to guy offensively forever, so Wenger, Aristeguieta and Sapong really need to pick up the slack. Wenger looks ready to have a big season and Aristeguieta has shown why the Union wanted him. A few more goals from Maidana and Nogueira would help. If the team has learned how to close out games better and can maintain consistency, this team will be tough to beat.
Worst case scenario: Any of the above fails to occur. If any or all of the goal scorers struggle the team is in trouble. If they score at the same rate as last year but fail to correct the mistakes and get inconsistent defensive play, this team misses the playoffs. Depth is still a problem, though not as bad as last year. If several key players suffer injuries this could be a problem.
Realistically, this team is a playoff contender, especially with the expansion to six teams in each conference making the playoffs. If things go right for them, the Union can make the postseason, finishing as high as fourth place. More likely, though, is that they sneak into the playoffs as the fifth or sixth seed.