Soccer MLS

Philadelphia Union Are Happy to Have a Blank Slate in 2015 MLS Season

Fresh Videos

By @DFresh39

2015 Philadelphia Union Preview

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Last season is not one to remember for the Philadelphia Union. The team played uninspired soccer under John Hackworth, who should have been fired sooner. Jim Curtin was able to right the ship a bit, but the Union limped to the finish line. The team will welcome the start of a new season with Curtin no longer carrying the interim tag and some reinforcements up front. Philadelphia are embracing the new hope that comes with a new MLS season, but positive results must come early.

The Union found success last season through counterattacking. It helped them get to the final of the U.S. Open Cup and make a playoff push. Unfortunately, they were unable to sustain the style, which highlighted their lack of strikers. The counterattacks worked since the team struggled to maintain possession but held their own defensively. Philadelphia ranked fourth in fewest shots allowed. Unfortunately the opposition scored on 12.6% of their shots according to American Soccer Analysis. The offseason player movement did not address this issue, so the returning players must improve on closing down the opposition.

Improvement will be about player commitment, especially in the back line. However, this is the biggest question mark on the team after the exits of Amobi Okugo and Austin Berry. There will be minimal depth with only two bench options. One of the new starters will be Steven Vitória, who came over from Benfica. Ethan White will finally have a chance to begin the season as a starter after just 26 matches in the last three years. Ray Gaddis and Sheanon Williams will be in the fullback spots.

The Union shipped Zac MacMath to Colorado to lessen the logjam at keeper. Rais M’Bolhi will be the starter, but both Andre Blake and 22-year-old John McCarthy will play meaningful minutes dependent upon international duty.

The midfield, anchored by Maurice Edu, will be the strength of the team. Vincent Nogueira was able to dictate the offense from a deep-lying role. Sebastien Le Toux will play wide right while Andrew Wenger will be pushed out to the other wing.

The Union could not get the ball in dangerous areas through the middle last year. Curtin should have enough confidence in his midfield to try to build a possession-oriented team taking the pressure off of the back four. Distribution will be the responsibility of Cristian Maidana as he tries to connect with a revamped forward core. FC Nantes reserve Fernando Aristeguieta recently moved over and will be given the first chance at the lone striker role. Conor Casey and C.J. Sapong add depth.

Curtin will have to emphasize more possession and trying to be a threat through the middle. If the game is played out wide it will wear on a thin team. The Union are an injury or two away from returning to last year’s form. Curtin must do a good job of helping his players regroup and use the blank slate to his advantage.

The team needs to get off to a good start for their psyche. They have a chance to win two games in March, but if they struggle to score or find themselves out of position defensively then it could be downhill from there. They need to capitalize on a favorable early schedule.

Even though it is the lesser of the two conferences and the playoffs are expanded, the Eastern Conference will be competitive. Philadelphia’s lack of depth will haunt them.

2015 prediction: 9-15-10, 37 Points, Last in the East

Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

Related:

Orlando City Poised to be Competitive

Share Tweet
Trending Now on