The Philadelphia Union Thread

I get it....fancy dribbles and goals make the highlight reels. There's one ball though.....

It still amazes how folks get all worked up over 2:00 minute youtube highlight/all touch videos. It's like they forget and/or don't know that the game is 90 minutes and there are 22 players on the field....with one ball. What a player does without the ball is a far greater determinant of what kind of player they are.

Further...that's a promo video of kids playing against other kids.......when these kids start doing these things consistently against professionals let's talk.

Currently when Sullivan and/or Aaronson get extended minutes with the first team, they don't have as great of an influence over the game. McGlynn does. In the past some folks were clamoring for Fontana to start......yet when he did start he didn't have an influence in the game like he did when he'd come off of the bench for 10-15 minutes.

Flashes of brilliance get you on sportscenter, youtube, or a viral Tweet. Playing consistently good day in and day out gets a permanent spot in the lineup.

 

I mean...................this Union team is absolutely crushing it right now.

They've conceded BY FAR the fewest goals in the league.
We can talk all we want about the goals they're scoring, but the defensive end is even more impressive.

Oh right, they've also scored the most goals in the league.

They have a goal difference right now of +46.
Montreal in second place in the east has a GD of +8.
Ridiculous.

We're looking at a potentially historic season here. They have to finish the job, though.

I'm happy to talk about the young players that could/should be playing, but what can you say? The proof is in the pudding. They're just rolling and rolling. Maybe if they pull away a little in the SS race, the young guys will get more minutes at the end.

Also, when is Jim Curtin going to get Euro interest? Serious question.

 

BY the way, Jim Curtin and Jesse Marsch are close friends apparently. They played together with Chicago and ChivasUSA.

I hope Jim gets the same type of opportunity abroad that Jesse got. You just need a foot in the door somewhere. He's talked about wanting to challenge himself there.

Gotta keep the manager pipeline to Europe going as well.

And then maybe the same thing will happen in Philly that happened in Dallas. Yes, Oscar Pareja was a champion of their academy players (used Acosta, Ulloa, Gonzalez, etc.). However, the NEXT coach is the one that provided a ton of minutes to the young generation. Of course, the results weren't as good. Hopefully that doesn't happen in Philly.

 

A euro move would be very interesting for Curtain. Philly was BAD bad at the start of his tenure, but with the top to bottom organizational shift they’re now a well oiled machine.

Curtin wouldn’t get that sort of long leash in Europe. There just aren’t many “projects” like Philly that would allow for major growing pains. We’d really get to see how much he’s grown as a manager by how quickly he adapts.

 

If he doesn't get a Euro move Curtin I think is probably at the top of the list in terms of domestic based options for potential Berhalter replacements next cycle. The other MLS options are guys who I think need a bit more experience (Cherundolo, Wolff, and Estévez) and who knows if a Marsch or Matarazzo would take the job if offered. And I'm not going to speculate on international options as its too hard to know who would be available and interested.

 

A shout out to the guy who changed it all, and started it.

Earnie Stewart.

Doing a fine job at corporate also with what he has to work with, We are lucky to have him.

 

Put our U15s in FIFA you cowards

— Philadelphia Union Academy (@phlunionacademy) September 16, 2022

 

He can try in Europe and most importantly get paid life changing money and even if he fails, he could still pick any MLS HC opening he wanted if he came back.

But I think he’s the #1 candidate for the USMNT if Berhalter is gone after the WC.

 

He would need to make some major changes in the way he approaches the game. He doesn't appear to know how to manage player minutes. The no rotation thing wouldn't work for the national team.

 

McGlynn and Harriel starting. Craig, Sullivan, and Aaronson on the bench.

 

https://www.delcotimes.com/2022/10/04/union-relocating-its-youth-academy-to-new-sportsplex/

 

First look at @PhilaUnion's new recreation complex. 👀#DOOP

pic.twitter.com/7zSt9GxV0Q

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 4, 2022

See you there! The #Babysnakes will be making a new permanent home alongside the @PhilaUnion and @PhilaUnionII in Chester.@yscacademy will be moving into their state-of-the-art school inside the Union Power Plant starting in 2023! #DOOP https://t.co/LJ82FZIHyD

— Philadelphia Union Academy (@phlunionacademy) October 4, 2022

The @WSFS Bank Sportsplex is for everyone!

- Outdoor fields & indoor courts for soccer, basketball, softball, field hockey & more
- Pro-level weight rooms & sprint track
- 500,000+ new visits to the Chester Waterfront
- Hundreds of hours donated for local community use#DOOP pic.twitter.com/zHAp9ahETc

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) October 4, 2022

🚨 Introducing the @WSFS Bank Sportsplex, a 170,000 sq ft sports & recreation complex!

- 8 indoor & outdoor grass & turf fields
- 2 multisport courts
- Performance center & weight room
- $90 million into our community over the next decade

👀👉 https://t.co/xBDpRSNuFh#DOOP pic.twitter.com/20jC4HIWQH

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) October 4, 2022

https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/philadelphia-union-announce-wsfs-bank-sportsplex

 

Awesome, I can catch academy games in my spare time. Not too far from where I live now.

 

https://www.brotherlygame.com/2022/...on-multi-sport-complex-for-chester-waterfront

Here's a few more quotes on the project. Of note is that the YSC Academy School will be 50% larger in its' new location in the Warf Building on the Union's Campus than its' current home in Wayne, PA at YSC Sports.