Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Midfielders expected to be busy against Toronto
The dynamics of the Philadelphia Union’s roster, particularly in midfield, inspired manager Jim Curtin in the preseason to toy with the notion of tailoring lineups to particular matchups.
But coming off a solid performance in Vancouver last week, there’s not much need to tinker for Saturday’s visit from Toronto FC (4:30 p.m., CSN).
The consistency is due in part to the 0-0 draw against the Whitecaps in last Sunday’s opener, but also owes to the way in which that result was achieved. Particularly in the possession category, which the Union won handily away from home, Curtin’s team approach mimicked what they aspire to at Talen Energy Stadium. While it’s a step up in opponent to the reigning Eastern Conference champion, the core principles should carry over.
“You won’t see us change too drastically from the players that performed in Vancouver,” Curtin said Thursday at his weekly press conference.
That vote of confidence would seem to land most squarely on the shoulders of Derrick Jones, who made his MLS debut in central midfield Sunday and turned in a sterling performance. His position is one of the prime openings for variability, and a more aggressive posture would drop Alejandro Bedoya into Jones’ No. 8 role with a more attack-minded No. 10.
Buoyed by the team’s ability to string together passes in Vancouver and Jones’ individual competence, however, there’s no reason to change beyond adjusting to TFC’s increased level of play.
“This game will be ramped up, it will be faster for sure,” Curtin said. “Toronto puts a little more pressure on you where Vancouver was sitting a little bit and looking to break with their speed. It’ll present new challenges. The midfield will be crowded. They have basically five midfielders at times and guys that are comfortable coming inside. Derrick’s head will be on a swivel.”
One of Jones’ potential replacements, Warren Creavalle, is back training in full after a groin injury limited him last week. He still made the bench in Vancouver, as did Ken Tribbett, despite picking up a calf issue. He was limited Thursday, though he participated more fully Wednesday and could make the 18.
Ilsinho is progressing after a late hamstring strain wrecked his chance of starting in Vancouver, as Curtin had penciled him in. Fabian Herbers got the nod instead. Ilsinho trained more extensively than anticipated Thursday, leaving Curtin optimistic as to his status Saturday.
The Brazilian’s return presents the greatest chance, barring a late injury, of displacing one of last week’s 11 starters. But a change or two won’t alter what Curtin will expect from his team.
“The ideas, the principles will be the same,” he said. “… The ideas of how we want to dictate possession, how we want to defend, that won’t change. That won’t be any different if we switch a piece here or there.”