In his post-game press conference last weekend, Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin emphasized that he didn’t want his team to be average any more, that he wanted them to be more than a fifth or sixth placed team.
In the Union’s 10 years in existence, average has been the reality.
But 2019 has so far been another step in the right direction for the Union, who is tied in third place with Toronto FC.
Saturday afternoon match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place is going to be an indicator of what the rest of 2019 might look like.
The Union has not been great on the road in its history, but last year had its best ever away record with six wins, eight losses and three draws.
So far, the Union has lost at Kansas City and LA Galaxy, drew at Atlanta and won in Cincinnati.
Vancouver is not at the same level as any of those teams – even Cincinnati has more than the one win Vancouver has so far.
The Union will likely feel confident enough to go into British Columbus – a flight which Curtin confirmed had at least one layover – and push forward for three points.
Philadelphia has started to find its groove, winning four of the last five – the only loss coming against the Galaxy. In that span, the Union has scored 10 goals and only conceded three.
Vancouver, meanwhile has scored just two goals but conceded four in its last five matches.
The Whitecaps have actually been good at home despite just the one win. They shutout LAFC and the Seattle Sounders, two of the best offenses in MLS.
The Union’s ability to break down the Vancouver defense will determine whether or not they can leave with three points. Vancouver has scored more than one goal twice so far, both early on and it appears is more focused on a steady defense.
The Union are without left back Kai Wagner while Marco Fabian and Sergio Santos are both recovering from injury.
Andre Blake missing is another major factor in the match, as he injured his groin last week. It won’t change the Union’s shape or tactics, but Blake has proven over the years to be the difference maker with his acrobatic saves.
The biggest variable in the Union’s line up is the left back spot: whether Matthew Real will slot in or if Ray Gaddis will slide over so Olivier Mbaizo can fill in at right back.
What Curtin decides will possibly also determine if he opts for a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. With Gaddis at left back, Curtin might feel less inclined to have the fullback push up-field and play on his weaker left foot, and will instead play a 4-2-3-1 where there is another wide player able to give support along the touchline.
This match is one of the best chances in 2019 for the Union to take points from the road, and points away from home can be vital in the race for the playoffs at the end of the year.
Predicted line up:
Carlos Coronel
Ray Gaddis, Jack Elliott, Auston Trusty, Matthew Real
Haris Medunjanin
Alejandro Bedoya, Jamiro Monteiro
Brendan Aaronson
Cory Burke, Fafa Picault
or
Coronel
Mbaizo, Elliott, Trusty, Gaddis
Bedoya, Medunjanin
Picault, Monteiro, Aaronson
Burke
