Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Union ready for U.S. Open Cup final
CHESTER » The Philadelphia Union boarded a plane to Houston Monday for their biggest game of the season, and they did so with a full complement of players.
After resting regulars in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City, the club received a clean bill of health. Both Ilsinho (quad) and Ray Gaddis (ankle) trained fully Monday in a light session only for players that didn’t take part in Sunday’s victory. Goalie Andre Blake, a late exclusion from the SKC match due to illness, worked through a portion of training and is on track to recover for Wednesday’s final in Huston (8 p.m., ESPN2).
“Hoping that it’s a 24-hour bug, but I think it will take a lot to keep him out of a final, and all signs now are pointing to he’ll be OK,” Curtin said of Blake. “He was out here today able to run around and get some fresh air, and he’ll be good for the final.”
Gaddis exited last Wednesday’s win in Seattle with a turned ankle, but he seemed no worse for wear in training Monday. Curtin said that the veteran outside back was already discussing his matchup against the speedy wingers of Houston, and the longest tenured member of the Union is unlikely to let much prevent him from taking part in his third Cup final in Philadelphia.
Ilsinho’s case is trickier. The Brazilian missed six games (including the Open Cup quarterfinal and semifinal) with a quad strain. He returned for four substitute appearances but lasted just 10 minutes Sept. 1 against Orlando City before aggravating his adductor muscle. Curtin explicitly targeted the Open Cup final for Ilsinho’s return, and that appears to be on track.
“He looks really good,” Curtin said. “Explosive, same tricks and nutmegs and different things you see on a daily basis, so happy with where he’s at. Other guys have stepped up as well, so it’s going to be a really tough task picking the 18.”
The Union traveled with 20 players Monday from which Curtin will cull an 18-player squad. Borek Dockal logged 55 minutes Sunday and is a full go after an ankle issue. Jay Simpson scored twice in that game, Warren Creavalle was stellar in midfield and Derrick Jones has delivered back-to-back clutch performances in midfield in Dockal’s stead. Winnowing those in-form contributors to just 18 to make the bench against Houston is a challenge, albeit one Curtin is grateful for.
The final is the fourth installment in a stretch of five games in 15 days, with the Union (14-12-4, 46 points) having gone 2-1-0 so far. Their quick turnaround from Sunday to Houston Wednesday night is in some regards a positive, leaving an organization that has twice lost in heartbreaking fashion in final little time to contemplate the moment.
“To be on the road, to be in the rhythm that we’re in, it certainly is different than in past years where I can remember that there was a lot of events and different things around the game,” Curtin said. “This is kind of good where we just played yesterday and then we get on a plane and we’re out of here and take the pressure off the guys, and let’s see where things shake out.”