Curtin shows a lot of Trust(y) in Union’s process
CHESTER » With the final score rendered academic in Saturday night’s friendly with Swansea City, Union manager Jim Curtin took the opportunity to get philosophical.
The skipper waxed poetically about having three players in the CONCACAF Gold Cup while his troops drew the Swans 2-2 Saturday. The contingent included two starters for the U.S. in a 3-0 shellacking of Nicaragua and the captains of America (Alejandro Bedoya) and Jamaica (Andre Blake). Curtin wistfully regarded seven Academy standouts who, given the minutes offered at Talen Energy Stadium for Bethlehem Steel’s usual roster ballast, deputized as pros for the first time at Goodman Stadium.
And Curtin expressed pride at four Union debuts bestowed Saturday, two on Academy products, one on Anthony Fontana, who at 17, remains in the Academy.
“This is a very positive night in a lot of ways,” Curtin said. “To have international players do well for our country, to having young kids coming up and making our decisions tough on the field, the success of Bethlehem Steel and how it has grown, I think it is always good to step back occasionally because we do get caught up because we do want to win, first and foremost. But at the same time, it is good sometimes to step back and see that there are some real positive things the fanbase can be very proud of.”
Curtin’s victory lap was warranted regardless of the result in a glorified kickaround before a surprisingly robust crowd. And in debutants like Auston Trusty and Fontana rests the promise of the Union’s future.
“It’s definitely a great opportunity,” said the Media native Trusty. “I tried to make the most of it as soon as I stepped on the field. I’m just excited to get that first step on the field and start the process.”
Trusty drew the start in central defense, drafted into the first-choice backline alongside Jack Elliott, Ray Gaddis and Giliano Wijnaldum, a balance of youth and experience Curtin sought to ease younger faces into the fray. Trusty was signed last summer as the Union’s fifth Homegrown player and, behind Derrick Jones, the second in the second wave propagated by YSC Academy.
The wait for minutes may be longer than desired, even with regular call-ups for the U.S. Under-20 team interspersed. Trusty has played 10 games for Steel this year after 19 a season ago. But the patience is within the context of the Union’s depth at center back.
“I’m kind of just trusting the process, to be honest,” Trusty offered.
Saturday, he looked strong, although a team that allowed two first-half goals in front of rookie goalkeeper Jake McGuire had its struggles. But Trusty acquitted himself well, covering ground by the acre with his graceful, gazelle-like stride. He emphasized distribution on his left foot, appeared comfortable in possession and showcased his stellar recovery speed on several occasions, including a crucial block of a Kyle Naughton drive that appeared ticketed for the corner of the net.
“I think it’s a big credit to the staff here and the national team staff and just overall everyone preparing me for these kinds of situations and taking advantage of them,” Trusty said. “… Any opportunity in general — on the field, on the training pitch and especially in the stadium — you’re looking to take advantage of it and show your game.”
Fontana nearly took full advantage of his chance. Minutes after entering in the 76th, the midfielder cut in from the right wing onto his left foot and lashed an assured shot that sailed just over the bar. The gumption it took to attempt the move is exactly what Curtin sought from the high school senior. It indicates a transformation from the preseason — when Fontana accompanied the Union to its training base in Florida to bolster the squad and serve as a good-natured “kind of mascot” that players took under their wings — into a confident nearprofessional.
“He gets on the field and it’s like, ‘Woah this kid is for real,’” Curtin said. “So, it’s exciting now to see him step on the field with pros and you can see he’s not scared. And as soon as he takes that shot everybody, myself included, got real excited because I thought he caught the goalkeeper off guard a little bit and it just kind of sailed at the end, but that’s what he brings. He plays and he moves, he doesn’t stand after he plays the ball, he’s always looking to get on the end of things and, for a midfielder, can get goals, which is so valuable. A lot of talent in him and I think a bright future.”
The byproduct of Saturday’s shuffling — of 25 players suiting up for the Union
and another 18 for Steel, plus another four (including Steel’s Jamaican forward Cory Burke) on international duty — is an abundance not just of options but competition for scarce
playing time.
“I was always hungry before, but now that you get a taste of it, you want more and you want more,” Trusty said. “So there’s that aspect to it.”