Union will have a more ‘dynamic’ look next year
CHESTER >> By the end of Monday’s season-wrap-up press conference, Ernst Tanner had laid out the broad strokes for the 2019 Philadelphia Union season.
The coach would be Jim Curtin. The spine of the roster was announced in a flurry of moves. Changes to the playing style would be implemented.
But those heavy lines left plenty of space for Tanner to apply his fine transfer-market brushwork and make the 2019 squad reflect its new sporting director. The ideology he articulated Monday makes clear the “why” of that process, if not yet the “who” or “how.”
“We have been doing very well in our possession game, that’s for sure something that we will also focus on,” Tanner said at the dais at Talen Energy Stadium. “But in a way, it is time to change some other things in order to take the next step. That has also something to do with a little bit more tactical flexibility. I want to see a little more dynamics in our game, playing a little bit more aggressive and with more compactness and make use out of transitions and vertical play.”
Far from hollow buzzwords, those specifics – dynamics, pressure, transitions – will be the lens applied to each player and coach as Tanner determines their viability with the club.
The first to pass that test was Curtin, who will return next season, his fifth full season with the club. He returns on a one-year extension, with Tanner playing it year-by-year in, “agreeing to continue our collaboration.”
“Jim led us to the playoffs for the second time in a three-year period,” Tanner added. “His relation to the players for all that I have seen is very, very good and he’s an expert in developing young players, which will be a focus for the future.”
Curtin has a career record of 54-64-36 since taking over as the interim coach in the middle of 2014. He led the Union to the playoffs in 2016 and 2018, both times losing road Wild Card games as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. He’s piloted the Union to three U.S. Open Cup finals, all losses.
The Union are coming off the most successful season in club history, setting franchise marks for MLS wins (15), points (50) and wins in all competitions (19). Curtin finished fourth in MLS Coach of the Year balloting. He’s the fourth-longest tenured active coach in MLS, jumping past Oscar Pareja, who left Dallas reportedly bound for Mexico’s Club Tijuana Monday. Also, Columbus’ Gregg Berhalter would no longer be ahead of him if he’s announced as the next U.S. manager, as has been widely reported.
“This will be my fifth season at a pro soccer club, which is a long time. I recognize that,” Curtin said. “I think that there’s been a lot of change. I’ve been involved with a lot of different people and at the end of the day, I don’t really selfpromote, but I think it is a little bit of a reflection that no matter who I’ve worked with, they’ve found good qualities in what I do. …
“We had talks right when Ernst got here and there were healthy discussions, and like Ernst said, we will continue the relationship. I’m happy to be here. This club means a ton to me. Philadelphia is where I’m from, and again I look forward to 2019.”
The Union’s roster stands at 17 players. Options were picked up on defenders Jack Elliott, Olivier Mbaizo and Keegan Rosenberry; midfielders Ilsinho, Derrick Jones and Fafa Picault and forward Cory Burke. The club denied options on goalkeeper Jake McGuire; defenders Richie Marquez and Josh Yaro; midfielder Marcus Epps, Fabian Herbers and Adam Najem; and forward Jay Simpson.
Out-of-contract players include goalie John McCarthy, with whom Tanner said he had a “detailed discussion” in which the Philly native expressed a desire to start, an opportunity which the club will allow him to pursue. Warren Creavalle, who Tanner said has an offer from abroad, and Ray Gaddis are also out of contract. Borek Dockal’s loan deal from Chinese club Henan Jiaye has officially expired, and Tanner sounded pessimistic about the Union’s prospects of keeping the 2018 MLS assists leader, who has attracted offers to return to Europe.
“We don’t have it in our hands,” Tanner said. “We’re in touch with the agents, and there will be a possibility to bring him back,
UNION ROSTER
Goalkeeper: Andre Blake Defenders: Jack Elliott, Olivier Mbaizo, Mark McKenzie, Matt Real, Keegan Rosenberry, Auston Trusty
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, David Accam, Alejandro Bedoya, Ilsinho, Anthony Fontana, Derrick Jones, Haris Medunjanin, Fafa Picault
Forwards: Cory Burke, CJ Sapong
of course, but once again, it’s not in our hands. Borek told us about his situation and his wish to return to Europe. That’s also something we need to take into account and respect.”
The roster offers a strong starting point for 2019 but with big holes to fill. Tanner, who took over for Earnie Stewart in the fall, believes he can make the necessary additions within the Union’s usual budget constraints. He’s planning to depart for scouting trips to South America, Europe and Africa in the coming weeks with an eye toward adding players to fulfill his tactical vision while also staying aware of the Homegrown talents he’s trying to nurture closer to home.
“We are going to scout now,” Tanner said. “The big season is obviously going to start.”
NOTES >> Tanner said Tim Hanley won’t return as goalkeeping coach. The veteran of more than a decade in MLS arrived before last season, the fifth goalkeeping coach the Union have had since 2013. Tanner hopes to announce the sixth occupant of that role as early as next week. … The Union have not yet made a decision on the contract option of Kacper Przybylko, the German-born Polish striker who was signed in September.