At some point, the narrative has to change — 2024 Union season preview
Courtesy of Philadelphia Union
We all have seen some sort of favorite sports moment where we can close our eyes and envision the moment of suspense at the end. All of these emotions are tied to something that is beyond our direct control.
A week ago, my mind wandered back to the Philadelphia sports seasons of 2022. The Union equalized twice, took a stoppage time (in extra time) lead, and then Gareth Bale‘s head struck a crushing blow to our solar plexus.
Then the Phillies couldn’t hit Framber Valdez and Chas McCormick hit the wall. The Eagles defense couldn’t hit Patrick Mahomes all day and quicker than James Bradberry could grab you, the Chiefs were able to kneel on the ball and kick a chip shot field goal. By February of 2023, the wounds were wide open. The forthcoming scars were an afterthought to the pain we were trying to suppress. A late holding call. A demoralizing no-hitter. Three missed penalty kicks.
All championship aspirations blew up like Veterans Stadium.
Some of you hate me right now for making you remember this pain. Others may wonder what all this has to do with the upcoming Philadelphia Union season. The 2023 Philadelphia Union season ended on a cold November night in Cincinnati. In a game that had opportunities for both sides, a controversial late goal proved to be the difference in the contest.
After the game, Jim Curtin provided this quote. “Like I said it’s sports. This is pro sports. It’s hard to be the champion.” He went on to say, “So yeah you can lose close games in this sport. The other guys get paid money as well and we lost to the Supporters Shield winner this year in their building, so it can happen.”
On the surface, that is a completely true statement.
At some point, the narrative has to change though.
The Union have been among the most consistent teams in MLS the past few years but other than a Supporters Shield in 2020, trophies have eluded them. 2023 also saw them lose in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals to their 2022 nemesis LAFC 3-nil (4-1 aggregate) and in the Leagues Cup Semifinal to Inter Miami CF.
Sports usually prove to be cyclical and if opportunities don’t come along every year, the Union need to get over the hump in the near future.
Jim Curtin brings back a pretty familiar squad for the 2024 campaign led by stalwarts in the back; goalkeeper Andre Blake, plus defenseman Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner. Young homegrown talents Quinn Sullivan and Jack McGlynn provide support on the wings in front of Julian Carranza and Mikael Uhre with Daniel Gazdag playmaking from just behind them.
In rain-soaked Costa Rica, the Boys in Blue kicked off their 2024 chapter with a 3-2 win over Deportivo Saprissa behind Julian Carranza and the team’s first CONCACAF Champions Cup hat trick. The game got off to a very strange start, however, when a swirling Jakob Glesnes back pass managed to elude a scurrying Blake for an own goal and suddenly the Union were down 1 nil less than 30 minutes in. After the half, the Union found their footing and the Carranza show began. His first goal came ten minutes after halftime on a beautiful ball from Kai Wagner that was teed up perfectly for the young Argentine forward to head home. Brilliant passing between Sullivan, Gazdag, and Carranza led to the next 2 goals and a happy flight back to Philadelphia.
The Sons of Ben will be anxiously waiting to welcome the Chicago Fire and USMNT member Kellyn Acosta to Subaru Park for the MLS and home opener this Saturday at 7:30 PM EST. Besides bringing in Acosta, to a roster already featuring Xherdan Shaqiri, Chicago went out and got Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers for 12M from K.A.A. Gent. Chicago finished 13th in the East last year, 3 points and 3 spots out of the playoffs. They have missed the playoffs in ten of eleven years.
