Curtin confirms negotiations with MF Dockal
Jim Curtin felt comfortable Thursday declaring who the Union’s starting No. 10 for the season opener nine days away would be. And in keeping with the theme of not discussing players not on the roster, it wouldn’t be rumored signing Borek Dockal.
Curtin confirmed that the Czech attacking midfielder is in Clearwater with the Union negotiating a potential deal from his club in China. But at the moment, the starting central attacking midfield spot belongs to Homegrown rookie Anthony Fontana.
“Anthony’s done very well,” Curtin said on a conference call Thursday, a day after a 5-0 thrashing of Montreal in an exhibition tune-up. “I think that Adam Najem has done well also, made a big play against D.C. United. Happy with both of those guys. They’re improving. They’re building their fitness.”
Neither part of those connected statements should come as a surprise. A statement from the agency representing Dockal on Tuesday indicated that he is in the United States trying to seal a move from Chinese club Henan Jianye. But at this late juncture, it shouldn’t be expected that he’d be ready to go for the March 3 opener. Dockal, a veteran of over 60 European matches in his time in Norway and his home country, has earned 35 caps for the Czech national team.
He was purchased for 7.65 million pounds by Henan on Feb. 24, 2017, but is apparently looking for a move away from Asian.
While his move is pending, Fontana and Najem have worked their way into the vacant role, aided by a hamstring injury to Ilsinho, and Fontana has taken the lead.
Fontana’s emergence fits within the Union’s preseason narrative of emphasizing opportunities for Homegrown players. Auston Trusty has cemented a place high in the pecking order for center back playing time and could start the season opener, which would mark the Media native’s debut. He scored in Wednesday’s throttling of Montreal. Derrick Jones, who debuted in last year’s opener, has been a regular cog in the midfield rotation. And Mark McKenzie and Matt Real have figured into the defensive minutes doled out.
“Happy to have five homegrown players not only on the field last night but also making a big impact on the game in a 5-0 game against an MLS team,” Curtin said. “… All on the field, keeping a clean sheet and making a mark with some goals and assists. A big step forward for them on what was a good night overall.”
Real is a little behind thanks to an ankle injury in the middle of camp, but he stepped into the fray Wednesday when starting left back Fabinho picked up a minor hamstring injury. Real impressed Curtin with both his ability to adapt on the fly but also the areas in which progress can still be made.
Fontana’s apparent cementing of a spot in the opening-day lineup helps resolve one selection quandary. Curtin still has to decide who starts at center back next to Jake Elliott (with Trusty as the presumptive frontrunner) and at right back, where Ray Gaddis and Keegan Rosenberry have jockeyed for time. Curtin said Thursday that the club has practiced with Jay Simpson as a second forward behind CJ Sapong in lieu of a No. 10, though that’s mostly in late-game simulations for trying to recoup a deficit.
Corey Burke, who scored last Saturday against D.C. United, picked up a minor knee injury. Fabinho’s injury is one to watch cautiously in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. But Andre Blake has returned from what Curtin called “personal issues that revolve around the green card,” and will play against Tampa.