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The Union Are Good and It’s Time to Take Notice

Don’t look now, but the Philadelphia Union are one of the hottest teams in Major League Soccer.

Firmly placed in a playoff position for the first time all season and on the brink of the club’s first ever trophy, the Union are looking like a proper team.

The month of August has treated this Union side quite well. A win against NYCFC and two against New England have seen them rise to 5th place on the Eastern Conference table. A 3-0 dismantling of Chicago at home secured a spot in their 3rd Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the last 4 seasons.

I’m not ready to declare the Union as one of the elites in the league, but they’re on their way. They’re not anywhere near New York Red Bulls or Atlanta United at this point. They are, however, showing potential I didn’t think I would see just a few short months ago.

It’s time to start paying attention to this team.

Here’s why:

Jim Curtin

Okay, yes, I haven’t been afraid to criticize the Union gaffer in the past. Personally, I’m still not a fan. So what’s different now from a month ago?

I had been harsh on Curtin for his inability and unwillingness to make changes to his lineups. In the past, he has seemed reluctant to adapt as necessary. Over the last handful of weeks, we have seen several changes to the Union lineup, and all of which have been impactful.

Firstly is his decision to revert to his opening day starter at center-back, Jack Elliott. The 6’5” towering Englishman had been a staple in Curtin’s team selections until he was outworked for the job by young, homegrown star Mark Mckenzie. Along side Auston Trusty, whom has played every minute in MLS this season, the two formed a sturdy pairing that Jim Curtin could rely upon.

It wasn’t until after the All Star break when Elliott would get his chance to win back his spot on the team. In his last four appearances, Elliott has contributed to three shutouts and picked up a brace on the road against New England in the Union’s 3-2 victory. The lanky centerback was awarded MLS Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

Like Elliott, Jim Curtin picked up an accolade of his own in MLS Coach of the Week.

Goals

It seems fairly obvious to say that in order to win games teams, you have to score goals. Not every team will score at the same rate, however. Not one Union supporter would expect this team to score the way Atlanta or New York do, it’s not realistic. Philly hasn’t had a dominant striker in some time, nor have their tactics required one.

In 2018, Philadelphia possesses a middle of the pack defensive record, allowing 39 goals in 24 matches. Defense has not been the Union’s demise this season and the backline has been the one constant throughout the year. While boasting a solid record on defense, the attack has been a different story. Averaging 1.4 goals per game, the Union stand fourth to last in the league in terms of scoring.

With an abysmal three goals and one assist in 23 appearances for C.J. Sapong, the Union spent most of the early stages of the season struggling to produce goals from the striker position. Now, you can ask questions as to why Curtin didn’t make a switch sooner. Perhaps he didn’t believe his options on the bench were fully developed and ready to compete in MLS. Maybe he believed Sapong could turn things around on his own and regain confidence. Whatever the case may be, it was time for a change.

Enter Cory Burke.

Long, agile, equally as skilled with the ball at his feet as he is in the air– Burke has been a revelation for the Union this season. Ranking fourth in all of Major League Soccer, the Jamaican is scoring at a preposterous rate of 0.77 goals per 90 minutes played this season. It’s a feat no one has seen since Sebastian Le Toux’s 2014, when he notched 0.80 goals/90 minutes. Burke is having one of the best statistical goal scoring seasons in Union history and his presence on the field is impacting this team in a big way.

The Union are 7-0-0 in matches in which Cory starts. An equally impressive 8-0-0 when scoring a goal for the boys in blue. If the Union are to continue winning, it’s going to come off the sweet right foot of the marksman Cory Burke.

Midfield play

The combination of internationals Haris Medunjanin, Borek Dockal, and team captain Alejandro Bedoya make up one of the most underrated midfield groupings in MLS. At some point this season, I’ve looked at my TV or watched on from field level at Talen Energy Stadium and wondered to myself, “how do these guys play professional soccer?” They have had their moments this season, for sure.

As the season has progressed, the three have gelled and given the Union a new dynamic. With Medunjanin in a holding midfield role, he’s able to be the bridge between defense and attack. It’s particularly important for him to sit in front of Jim Curtin’s youthful backline as the inexperienced defenders aren’t the best in possession. The Bosnian is able to link up with defenders and launch counterattacks, which is where he is at his best.

With Haris playing deeper, Bedoya and Dockal are able to be effective behind the attackers. Dockal might just be the true #10 fans have been looking for after all. With 12 assists (third in MLS) and five goals, the clever Czech has been involved in an incredible 49% of all Union goals this season. He has truly been the catalyst for this Philadelphia Union attack and look for him to continue to provide down the stretch.

As it stands, the Union sit in fifth place on the Eastern Conference table with 36 points, three points clear of Montreal for the last playoff spot. This is where they deserve to stand and where I predict they will finish the regular season.

The Union will face off with DC United on Wednesday at Audi Field. 8 PM kickoff.

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