Philadelphia Union Must Focus on Internal Improvements In Leagues Cup Third-Place Game

The Union have to control their own fate against Monterrey on Saturday night.

CHESTER — The Philadelphia Union must focus on themselves in Saturday’s Leagues Cup third-place contest against Monterrey.

Jim Curtin’s side must win to secure qualification into the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Monterrey comes into Subaru Park with a spot in the CCC already clinched. Its spot would go to Club Leon if it wins on Saturday.

However, a Monterrey win seems unlikely given the comments made by manager Fernando Ortiz. A full squad rotation could be in the cards after traveling to Utah, Seattle, Portland, Houston, Los Angeles and Nashville in the Leagues Cup.

“The amount of travel around the country they have had plays a real role in things,” Curtin said in his press conference on Friday. “It’s not easy to play on the road so much and in quick succession. I fully understand their coach’s comments because the game doesn’t have any real meaning for them.”

“However, if they do go that route and play a second group, I know how talented those players are at the bottom of the roster and they are looking to impress their coach,” Curtin said. “There’s never an easy game.”

Philadelphia’s best approach is to go back to basics, and the 4-4-2 diamond formation.

The Union used the diamond in the second half against Inter Miami on Tuesday, and looked like a functional side. They were too far behind the Herons to produce a comeback, but the diamond still produced something positive to build on for Saturday.

Curtin was specifically asked about the formations and how he will approach the third-place contest.

“I’ve been pretty consistent in saying when everybody is healthy and we’re playing our best the 4-4-2 diamond is our base formation,” Curtin said. “That’s the one that I believe in the most. That’s the one our players are most suited for and most cohesive is.”

“In the absence of Julian and Bedoya and guys going away with international duty, we’ve juggled things and gotten results out of the back three, but I think I still know what is our strength and what is our best formation,” he continued.

Curtin has the healthy personnel to go back to the diamond, even with Alejandro Bedoya not at 100 percent and Julian Carranza out with his Grade 1 hamstring strain.

One of the three starting center backs should receive a rest. If Curtin bases his selection on performance, Damion Lowe will probably slide to the bench. Olivier Mbaizo would probably get the nod over Nathan Harriel at right back to provide more attacking width.

Jack McGlynn should start on the left side of the diamond with Jesus Bueno on the right. That allows Leon Flach and Bedoya to come off the bench as closers.

Daniel Gazdag can start in the No. 10 role, even without Carranza in the fold. Mikael Uhre and one of Chris Donovan and Quinn Sullivan can partner Uhre.

Curtin will have Tai Baribo available off the bench in some capacity.

“Julian will be out. Tai will be in the group and available off the bench. Tai hasn’t had a chance to train much this week because he was getting his visa taken care of up in Canada. He’ll add a little boost off the bench,” Curtin said of the forward availability.

“For Julian, it doesn’t make sense to push. He really only was on the bench (on Tuesday) in the case of a real emergency, penalty kick situation. We missed him in the Miami game in a big way. The hope is he is ready to go against DC when we return to league play.”

The hope is that when Baribo comes off the bench, the Union have the result wrapped up, or at least as close it as possible.

That will happen if the Union follow the message that Curtin started his press conference with.

“Now it’s about a response and going back to the simple things perfect. Doing things that make us a strong team in this building,” Curtin said.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union.