Wagner’s absence part of Curtin’s defensive quandaries
The Philadelphia Union’s backline didn’t figure to be a source of question marks entering the preseason. But with the signing of Jakob Glesnes as a viable starting center back option and the injury to Kai Wagner, the starting four for the opener isn’t set.
Glesnes is at a slight disadvantage after missing time this week to settle visa issues, which puts the Norwegian behind in the chase to get in the lineup for the Feb. 29 opener in Dallas. Glesnes didn’t take part in Wednesday morning’s exhibition match with FC Dallas, a 3-2 loss, giving Mark McKenzie and Jack Elliott a chance to play together. He will be available for the team’s seventh and final preseason match Saturday night against D.C. United.
That duo finished as the starters in 2019, but McKenzie has missed time this preseason in earning his first cap with the U.S. national team, and Elliott was away for the better part of two weeks finalizing paperwork to get his green card, which frees an international spot. Manager Jim Curtin envisions the competition for minutes as a weekto-week affair, with veteran Aurelien Collin as a viable fourth option.
“I think we have four starting-quality center backs and obviously Mark and Jack ended the season last year very well,” Curtin said on a conference call from Clearwater, Fla., Thursday. “There’s competition. Every day in training between all of them. … I would say it’s a good, healthy competition right now and we still have this final game against D.C. where guys will be judged and then the week of training leading into Dallas.”
One byproduct of the ins and outs is that Curtin hasn’t been able to install any three-man back line schemes yet. The group seems to have skillsets needed, from the distribution of Glesnes and Elliott to the athleticism and manmarking ability of McKenzie to the range that Elliott’s height provides.
The other part of that equation, though, is liberating wing backs to maraud forward. And the best fit for that role, Wagner, hasn’t trained in three weeks because of a nagging calf injury.
Curtin wouldn’t rule the German out for the season opener. But as the medical staff is still determining the source of his injury, it’s highly unlikely he’ll get the fitness back in time, and the
Union have no need to rush him back for the first mile of a season-long marathon.
“It’s been obviously frustrating for Kai,” Curtin said. “This is an important year for him to back up last year when I thought he was one of the best left backs in the league. But it’s been a while since he’s trained. They’re still trying to get to the bottom of things, and right now, unfortunately, he hasn’t really done anything with the ball.”
Matt Real has played well in Wagner’s stead, the Homegrown from Upper Darby likely to start the opener. Against Dallas, the Union used Ray Gaddis at left back, but that was merely to meter Real’s workload, not a long-term solution, since Curtin (and especially sporting director Ernst Tanner) prefer utilizing outside backs exclusively on their strong foot. Ditto the plan that landed Homegrown Jack de Vries at left back briefly, which was merely the necessity of the moment.
It would be a big step for Real, who started three games as a rookie in 2018 in Gaddis’ stead without impressing, then made just three appearances last year for 67 total minutes, though he did have an assist. Curtin is heartened by what he’s seen from the 20-yearold in the preseason.
“It’s a big test, but Matt’s played in MLS before,” Curtin said. “He had a run of games in previous seasons as a starter and did good with those minutes. Now we need him to do great with those minutes. That’s the difference. A guy who we believe in, we have confidence in and will he take the next step in his growth and development? Opportunities like this are big steps, and we have full confidence in Matt to do the job there at left back.”