2015 was a turbulent year for the Union’s defense, but it will be interesting how the defense improves in 2016. The sale of Sheanon Williams to Houston proved difficult for the Union as it limited their options in the back. While goals didn’t come freely for Philadelphia, the team’s biggest challenge in 2015 was preventing goals.
The Union started the year with Algerian International Rais M’Bolhi in net. He played a total of 5 games, conceding 9 goals in that time and compiling one clean sheet. He was benched after a 3-2 loss to Sporting KC on April 5th. He sat for the remainder of the season after Coach Jim Curtin said in an interview, “[He] will not be playing in goal.” and went on to say, “It’s a decision that I made and it was based on performance and it’s what I think is best now for Rais and for the Philadelphia Union moving forward.” The Union then signed Carolina Railhawk Brian Sylvestre on a short-term loan to fill the gap. John McCarthy came off the bench as the Union’s next starting keeper. He ended up playing 5 games and conceding 9 goals in that time as well. Sylvestre got his debut start 6 games later in a 3-0 defeat to Vancouver. He continued to shine for the Union and started in every league game until the first of August when McCarthy got the nod. McCarthy started in net for the next 3 games. It wasn’t until the 16th of August that Andre Blake got his first start against the Chicaco Fire. Blake ended the season as the starting goalkeeper for league play as McCarthy looked to be the designated cup keeper. Silvestre put in some great early performances for the squad, and as the season progressed, he looked like he could become a mainstay in Philadelphia. But by the end of the season, Blake gave Curtin something to think about as he put is some phenomenal outings. Next year should be interesting, as every Philadelphia fan is hoping to find a permanent solution in goal. Blake seems to be the best option now, as he ended up with the lowest goals against average of 1.5 goals allowed per game, but Silvestre was only just higher than him at 1.583. We will have to wait to see if Curtin signs Silvestre, as he is still currently on the Union roster, but no deal has been made for 2016.
The right back position seems to be cut and dry for the Union. 25 year-old Raymond Gaddis has become the long standing starter at that position, especially since the Sheanon Williams sale in the summer. Gaddis, who has the ability to play both right and left back, has been one of the stalwarts in the Union’s ever-rotating defense.
At left back, 30 year old Brazilian Fabinho has been lethal on the counter. While he doesn’t have the greatest defensive work rate, he can overlap and underlap the left winger with ease and has done both with great aplomb. We have seen him whip in juicy crosses from the wide area, as well as hit game deciding shots from tight angles. Initially brought in as cover for Williams and Gaddis, Fabinho has earned himself a position.
The Union will most likely look for a new outside back in the upcoming January 14th Superdraft. With the exit of Wenger and Williams to Houston, Philadelphia is lacking in options at wingback. If there is an injury to either wingback, the Union won’t have the same rotational cover as last year. Curtin should have a back-up plan come March.
Usually a defensive midfielder, US capped Maurice Edu has shown his versatility and tenacity at center back. He brought a certain calmness to the Union’s possession in the back. There were times, however, where Edu was too calm, such as when he was dispossessed or made a lackluster pass. The man does deserve credit, as he usually won the ball back, and for the most part didn’t give away many opportunities. While I would prefer Edu in the midfield as a shield to the back line, he played more as a sweeper. He typically was the last man back and was the keystone for most Union attacks.
At left-center back, 23 year old Richie Marquez is becoming a mainstay for Philadelphia. He made his MLS debut for the Union on May 2nd and started every subsequent game. The Union loaned Portuguese defender Steven Vitoria from Benfica for the 2015 year. In December of 2015, the Union decided not to make the move permanent, sending him back to Portugal. Vitoria played in 18 matches, while Marquez played in 21, and Edu in 22.
The continuing changes in the defensive rotation seemed to have affected the overall performance of the Union, which had the 5th worst defensive record in all of MLS. Philadelphia ended the season with 22 defensive combinations that were used at some point. For Philadelphia to jump in the standings, we’ll have to see a more consistent Union defense . Now that much of the turmoil from 2015 has passed, hopefully we’ll see a Union with more confidence, a Union with more camaraderie, and a Union in the MLS playoffs.
