Philadelphia Union Head Into Inter Miami Clash with Injury Concerns

Andre Blake and Danley Jean Jacques are injury doubts for Saturday, while Tai Baribo and Daniel Gazdag have been training this week.

The Philadelphia Union have a small injury crisis on their hands as they re-enter Major League Soccer play after the international break.

Jim Curtin’s side could be without goalkeeper Andre Blake and midfielder Danley Jean Jacques for Saturday’s trip to face Inter Miami.

Curtin went through a lengthier than usual injury list during his Thursday press conference in which there was some good news for the attack, but not for the defensive-minded positions.

“I think everyone has seen by now that the international break was not kind to us injury wise,” Curtin said.

“Tai Baribo picked up a hamstring. He will be available, though. He trained well the last two days, which was surprising. He feels good and ready to go,” Curtin said.

“We also had Andre Blake who picked up some real groin discomfort toward the end of his last game with Jamaica against Honduras. He felt in pain when he was kicking balls at the end of the game, which is a big part of the game for a goalkeeper. He’s day-to-day. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

“Everyone has seen the tackle that Danley took by now. A tough tackle in a situation where on astro turf it’s a little tricky with the ankle. He’s obviously in a pain. He’s gotten treatment the last two days, but hasn’t been able to train just yet. I won’t rule him out completely.”

Daniel Gazdag did not make a trip across the Atlantic Ocean to play for Hungary in the UEFA Nations League. The Hungarian midfielder is back in training, though.

“It was a minor hamstring issue,” Curtin said. “It led to him having to come out of the Red Bull game. I was a little nervous at first, but he’s been able to train in the recent days and look sharp and confident. We gave him about a week off. He will be available for our game.”

Blake and Danley’s absences, though, are worrisome for a team that has gone through its defensive struggles with backups in those two key positions.

Curtin would not detail which goalkeeper would step in for Blake if the Jamaican was unable to play.

“We’ll see. I don’t want to give Tata a head start on that one because both goalkeepers have different qualities, strengths and weaknesses. TBD. Let’s hope Andre is ready,” Curtin said.

“If Andre is in goal, I think that changes our plan quite a bit,” Curtin said. “It’s a day where it would probably be better if we did this press conference tomorrow to have more accurate info. I’m going to be able to be as open because we’re still waiting on guys’ fitness and where they are at.

Oliver Semmle started for Union II on Wednesday night. He allowed 29 goals in 17 MLS appearances, 14 of which were starts. Andrew Rick gave up eight goals in four starts.

The Union have more depth in the midfield, but if Danley can’t play, they lose their most athletic ball-winner in a game where ball winning and tackling are imperative against Inter Miami.

“It has to be a next-man-up mentality because we play the best team in MLS this weekend. There’s a possibility of Messi maybe coming back. We have to prepare for their best group,” Curtin said.

“I think we do have depth in midfield. Bueno comes off a trip with Venezuela where he didn’t get any minutes. Leon Flach is more than capable. You have Ale Bedoya, Quinn Sullivan, McGlynn. You have enough guys in midfield for spots, but how we do it against a really strong team is still to be determined.”

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union.