Do you think the team is going to be looking to make some changes at CB next season? I’d think Craig could help.
My heart says yes because the current veteran CBs have shown their flaws and that perhaps their trajectory is trending in the wrong direction. So you would think that opens the door atleast a little for Craig, Pierre and the South African U21 CB they brought in. My head says no because Curtin is vey stubborn and sticks with his players forever and if I had to play the odds I would bet that Curtin is probably way too narrow minded towards his players and is probably thinking this is just a little bump in the road for them.
Well Elliott and Lowe are out of contract at the end of this season. The South African kid should get some time in the next month or two with Lowe being away with Jamaica. Also, Curtin played Trusty and McKenzie together when they were teenagers. If Craig and Pierre play well enough when given chances they will play. That said, playing time isn't handed out like candy at Halloween. I would expect Ernst Tanner to bring in another Centerback to push everyone. They also need to resign Leon Flach, who is elite at being a defensive disruptor in Midfield for MLS. He's started the past two games.... two clean sheets. When you look back to 2022..... he started most games and the Defense was MLS all time great. He missed most of last season (when he did play he was playing injured) and the beginning of this season with injuries, and the Union's defense shipped goals like they were an Amazon distribution center.
Does Rick have a legit shot at the #2 job for next season and playing some games or he’s really like 3rd or 4th and only making the bench due to injuries?
They just resigned Blake. They brought Semmle in from USL this year in order to have a game proven backup to Blake. Rick was always planned to be signed to a homegrown deal, however, injuries to Blake and Holden Trent this season forced the Union to speed up that timeline. Realistically he's probably 3rd/4th on the depth chart currently. Could definitely see them loaning him out if they feel that he's not going to gain anymore from playing with Union 2. I mean, he's only 18......
Yeah, its like Antonio Carrera in Dallas. The way is blocked. Dallas played Carrera for a year with North Texas, and have now loaned him out to the USL. Maybe next year #2 on the depth chart with the first team. Maybe get some USOC or whatever. With Philly resigning Blake thru 2026, with an option thru 2027, the way is blocked at the moment. Just the life of a young keeper..............................
Lyngby announces partnership with the Philadelphia Union, who will become a minority owner of the Danish Superliga club. https://t.co/Qqji11wZ4b— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) May 28, 2024 Announced this morning by Lyngby Boldklub, former club of Sanders Ngabo, current Union II player, the Philadelphia Union ownership group has bought a 10 percent ownership stake in the Danish club, with an option for a further 10 percent.Lyngby is a 103-year-old club that… pic.twitter.com/bBtxOuivhN— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) May 28, 2024 With the news of the Union ownership becoming minority owners at 10 percent of Lyngby, with an option for an additional 10 percent, I asked Jim Curtin for his thoughts on the new partnership:"It is a real opportunity for us to share ideas, to grow, and to work on our youth… pic.twitter.com/caVU0FBcnO— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) May 28, 2024
Another Philly kid that needs some attention is Gabriel Wesseh. I believe most of these highlights are from the u16s recent month-long European trip (that touch at 3:15 is nasty). Philly is running into a big problem with too much attacking talent. This kid would be starting on any other academy's u17 team, but he's playing behind Cavan, LeBlanc and Jamir Johnson so more often than not, he's with the u16s
This is where the Danish club comes into play....... When the Union have youngsters who need a higher level than Next Pro, but aren't quite ready for MLS or if the Union don't have the roster space.... loan them to your Danish Club.
Sure, but also Denmark has one of the more advanced development systems in the world and probably matches up well with the cultural background of the US with club development being more prevalent than pickup play. That was one of the problems that Europeans had when trying to duplicate Brazil. The clubs literally just scouted 12 year olds with mad skills. You just can't duplicate that. There was some attempt to duplicate Japan's methods but that didn't really impress the powers that be in the US.
Brandan Craig, a Union Homegrown currently on loan to El Paso, just scored this NASTY free kick.Take a bow, BC!!!#doop #MLS #VamosLocos #VamosElPaso #Defend210🎥: CBS pic.twitter.com/SuXhE9kCnL— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) June 6, 2024
When does Jamir Johnson get signed to a pro contract? Jamir Johnson (08)Was already one of the best 2008s coming into the season but has been absolutely killing this year. Think he is next up in Phila Union to sign a pro contract— Youth Soccer Central (@yscentral) June 5, 2024
I know the U19 MLS Next level isn’t that great, but really feels like Philly could benefit from a place to stash some talent. Too many players are fighting for the MLSNP minutes. A lot of the U17s there could be tested against a higher level, but the MLSNP team is the serves 3 functions: b team, u19 team, and giving young prospects first pro opportunities.
That's why you have an academy and do a good job of developing players, so you can sell your oversupply of talent.
Why was it smart for Jay Sugarman and the Union ownership to invest in Lyngby Boldklub?Look no further than the deal reportedly finalized by Lyngby, sending Andri Gudjohnsen, son of former Chelsea, Barcelona, Monaco, Tottenham Hotspur, and Stoke City player, to Gent of Belgium… pic.twitter.com/MgTCoeFzli— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) June 6, 2024
#MLSNextCup preparation ✅#DOOP | #BabySnakes pic.twitter.com/7v49FcG01a— Philadelphia Union Academy (@phlunionacademy) June 13, 2024
Olney Jr. provides the cherry on top of this @PhilaUnionII win 🍒 pic.twitter.com/SIDc3DZuFQ— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) June 14, 2024
11 v 9 after two red cards, at home, no Messi or Suarez, losing on a stoppage time winner to some random dude... now 7 games winless at home including 5 losses Down to 9 men. Even at 1-1 in stoppage time.LEO AFONSO GIVES MIAMI THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/2ZuXM4OxlP— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 16, 2024 Might not be long now before the team that’s been perhaps the worst-run in MLS for the last few years passes the Union in the standings. The gap is two points. https://t.co/iBZOn5gPGf— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) June 16, 2024
They need to stop cheapening out on signing players, and stop playing Sullivan as a striker. It's patently ridiculous and unfair to him.
Funny enough all three of the MLS teams that have their own threads on the YNT board are really struggling... Dallas just fired their coach, Quakes are 29th place with less than 2/3 of a point per game I had the opportunity to ask Kai Wagner about his thoughts on the investments the team made over the off-season and whether they were enough to ensure success in a grueling MLS season.Additionally, he commented on whether these concerns have been voiced to the leadership.… pic.twitter.com/j21XIeZqKV— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) June 16, 2024 The Union having been waiting for a break to go their way, and they're still waiting. Gut-punch loss.Philly are 1-5-3 at home this year. THEY LOST ONE GAME AT HOME IN THE TWO FULL REGULAR SEASONS PRIOR!!!— Andrew Wiebe (@andrew_wiebe) June 16, 2024
Philly has won one game since April 6th in MLS. It's almost as if having a good academy doesn't mean anything by itself in terms of first team results. Which, it doesn't. You can never rest on your laurels in this league. What did Philly do in the off-season to improve?? A team that finished as close to missing the playoffs last year as it did to finishing 1st in the East. There's a fine line in MLS. Its a slippery effing slope. Look at where St. Louis is after their great first season. They're dead in the water right now.