Competition waiting in the wings informs offensive surge

CHESTER >> The answer from Jim Curtin is quick and unequivocal.

In his first 10 games of the season, Kacper Przybylko had scored four goals and an assist, a steady if not spectacular return. He has four goals in his last three outings.

Fafa Picault struggled out of the gates with a goal and two assists in 16 games. He has scored in each of his last two games and set up Przybylko’s equalizer late against New England.

The inflection point in the trends came right around the Union’s signing of forward Andrew Wooten June 20. So coincidence?

“There’s no coincidence,” Curtin said after training Friday. “Competition brings out the best in all people, at every level, in any job, in any profession. When

you’re challenged every day and the environment is such that there’s someone behind you pushing you, you’re going to perform better. And I think that’s an example of that. Andrew has been really good and sharp in training, and that motivates guys.”

Przybylko is on the same page.

“It’s always good. We need also this tournament, this fighting for a place in the team,” he said. “It’s always better for every striker to have someone in the back to push him. It’s also a good quality that we’ve gotten in Andrew. He’s doing well in practice.”

Wooten isn’t able to play until the transfer window opens July 9, meaning Saturday’s

visit from Orlando City (7 p.m., PHL17) is the final game at which he must be a spectator. And with the two forwards’ run of form, Wooten won’t automatically have a spot to fill.

Picault and Przybylko have formed a stellar partnership that, on paper, makes sense: The hulking Przybylko complemented by the speedy Picault. But Picault has looked less at home in the 4-4-2 formation than in a 4-2-3-1, and Przybylko isn’t the archetypal 6-4, hold-up forward. Yet they’ve thrived.

Some of it is Picault’s annual heating up in the summer, a trait he’s shown the last two seasons. And some of the credit owes to a more holistic team concept that Przybylko rigorously attributes credit to.

“Now everyone is looking at me because I’ve scored four goals in three

games, but it’s the work of the whole team,” Przybylko said. “And I appreciate being a striker in the team and also thankful for all these goals that I get. It’s a dream for every striker. The focus should be on the whole team and not an individual guy.”

Two of Przybylko’s recent goals provide evidence. His goal against New York City FC and his second marker against Orlando were essentially the same run, hovering near the penalty spot to volley home once the ball got to the byline. The setups were different — Ilsinho ran to the byline and crossed for a Jamiro Monteiro layoff against NYC; Haris Medunjanin lofted over the backline for an Alejandro Bedoya knock-down header against Orlando — but the result was the same.

Despite Przybylko’s reflex to defer credit, he is

willing to concede that it’s a significant season for him. The eight goals are his most in a campaign since 2012-13, when he scored 11 for Cologne’s reserve team. With three goals for Steel, he has 11 in 15 matches in all competitions. After missing significant time in Germany with a foot injury, it feels good for the 26-year-old to get a consistent run. And it gratifies his manager to see one of the early attacking contributors take firm possession of the job.

“When I came here, I was so much on fire because I had a long injury before and I just wanted to play, just wanted to help the team,” Przybylko said. “But I also like scoring goals. I missed just the competition against team and having this great feeling from the audience, working with the team and fighting and winning with

the team. This is one of the reasons that pushed me this season, but it’s for me as a striker my best season, scoring eight goals in 13 games. This is good for my confidence, but that’s why I always say it’s also the game and to have these kinds of teammates, it’s a dream for every striker.”

“Who is going to be that guy is the big question,” Curtin said. “Who is going to be that guy that runs away with it and goes into double-digits for the year for goals? I think they’re all capable. I think our whole stable of forwards is capable of that. Right now, Fafa and Kacper have stepped up in a big way.”

•••

The Union were waiting on x-rays of Monteiro’s leg Friday after a red-card challenge from Sacha Kljestan in Wednesday’s 3-1 Union win. Monteiro was walking

without a boot, Curtin said, but didn’t practice and will be out of Saturday’s return fixture between the teams.

“A guy that’s been a huge part of our success,” Curtin said. “For me, he’s one of the top players in our league. … It’s serious but hopefully he doesn’t miss too much time.”

Also in doubt for Saturday is Ilsinho, whose leg knock precluded his travel to Orlando. He trained Friday but reported to Curtin that the injury “didn’t feel perfect,” so they will reassess. The Union have Marco Fabian at full strength to plug into midfield.

Also back in the fold Friday is Andre Blake, whose Jamaica was eliminated from the Gold Cup semifinals, 3-1, by the United States Wednesday. Without a third-place game, he returned to the Union and will start Saturday.