Match Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami
The Union are back to close to full strength for their trip to south Florida.
The Philadelphia Union are near full strength for their trip to Inter Miami on Saturday night.
However, the one name on the injury report is concerning. Kai Wagner is questionable with an abdominal injury.
Wagner posted on his Instagram story on Friday night with the quote “Think Positive”. Unclear if that has anything to do with the injury issue, but if that’s the case, it sounds like it might be tight for him to play.
Andre Blake, though, is available for selection. The Union goalkeeper appeared to pick up a knock while on international duty with Jamaica, but he was not on the injury report.
If Wagner is unable to go, the natural move is to place Frankie Westfield or Nathan Harriel over on the left. One will play on the left, the other on the right.
Olivier Mbaizo had a decent showing last week against St. Louis City, but I’m not sure it was enough to impress manager Bradley Carnell.
I think the motivation for Mbaizo over the next few months is to impress enough to earn a trade.
Mbaizo is third in the pecking order behind Harriel and Westfield at right back when everyone is healthy.
The Cameroonian was almost traded before the start of last season due to a potential roster issue, but that was resolved before Week 1.
In this case, Mbaizo is likely short of playing time, so in the minutes he does get, he needs to show off in case he wants to ask for a move to earn more playing time somewhere in Major League Soccer.
Elsewhere in defense, we’ll get to see where the center backs stand.
Olwethu Makhanya is back from his red-card suspension, so there are three potential starters for two spots between him, Jakob Glesnes and Ian Glavinovich.
I think this is more of a matchup-based selection than form. Most other matchups would be form-based, but I think for Miami, you have to find the most athletic pairing to deal with whomever starts up top for the Herons.
Lionel Messi is the big question for Miami. He is not listed on the injury report, so that’s an indication he will at least play in some capacity.
Between Messi, Luis Suarez and leading scorer Telasco Segovia, Miami has a ton of creativity and athleticism in the attack.
That would lead me to start Glavinovich and Makhanya because they are a bit more agile than Glesnes.
Carnell is all about starting fresh every week, but in certain weeks, you have to prioritize matchups.
Which brings me to the point about the forwards. I think this is a Bruno Damiani-Tai Baribo game up top.
Mikael Uhre’s hold-up play and runs in behind the defense serve a purpose in most games, but if the Union are playing more in transition and counter-attacking, I think Damiani and Baribo’s skill sets are more suited for that.
The rest of the lineup picks itself. Jesus Bueno met the team in south Florida after his international duty with Venezuela. He will be the backup to Danley Jean Jacques and Jovan Lukic.
Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union.