Union hope to keep it rolling at D.C.
Cory Burke is back and training with the Union, with Jim Curtin eyeing the possibility of getting him back for Monday’s trip to New England.
Burke passed all his physical screenings, including COVID-19 isolation, and returned to training Monday. Curtin was impressed with his fitness level, though stressing that game sharpness is very different. It’s likely the Jamaican striker will have to regain his sharpness in game, with the Union II season over.
“He’s out training on the field, getting himself active and getting himself as sharp as possible,” Curtin said. “He’s a guy who comes in and works very hard, so we’ll never worry about that. He’s a guy that takes care of his body.”
Burke last played in April 2019. When he returned home to finalize green card paperwork, he was barred from re-entering the U.S. due to a paperwork issue and had to wait six months for that to apply to re-enter. He spent time on loan with Jamaican club Portmore United last fall and Austrian club St. Poulten in May and June.
The Union (10-3-4, 31 points) aren’t hurting. But the second-place team in the East would love an extra attacking option off the bench.
“It’s a great piece to have back, not only in the locker room but on the field,” Curtin said. “It adds to our stable of good attacking players. We’ve been able to score a lot of goals and Cory fits in with what we want to do, so in that regard, it’s great to have him back.”
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Speaking of reserve attacking options, Curtin wasn’t expecting Ilsinho to take part in Wednesday’s trip to D.C. United
(7:30, PHL17) after a knock to his foot just before being subbed off in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Montreal. But the Brazilian magician trained Tuesday, despite what Curtin called five black-and-blue toes, and could give it a go.
Ilsinho started Sunday and assisted on goals by Jamiro Monteiro and Sergio Santos. He scored last Wednesday against FC Cincinnati, his arrival on the pitch sparking a 3-0 win.
Ray Gaddis (hamstring) trained fully. But the Union will likely wait for the weekend to return him to the lineup after four games out, capitalizing on the extra day provided by a Foxborough scheduling conflict with the Patriots. Jakob Glesnes remains in concussion protocol and unavailable Wednesday.
The Union face another decision at holding midfield with Warren Creavalle (ankle) out. He picked up the injury early against Montreal but gritted out the first half before exiting. Glesnes’ absence removes Jack Elliott as an option, so it’s likely the Union will remain in the 4-2-3-1 with Monteiro and Alejandro Bedoya as the double pivot. Cole Turner and Matej Oravec are more defensive options.
Turner, who was on loan with Union II, has followed all protocols to return to
training, as has Jack de Vries and pre-contract Homegrown signings Jack McGlynn and Nathan Harriel. Goalie Matt Freese had already returned and made the bench against Montreal.
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The reason for the central midfield scramble is Jose Martinez’s stint with Venezuela. He’ll miss at least five games on international duty, but he didn’t make the matchday 18-man roster in last Friday’s 3-0 loss at Colombia.
Add in the rash of COVID-19 positives for internationals – including four Peruvians, among them Seattle striker Raul Ruidiaz – and Curtin offered a scathing review of FIFA’s handling of the October window.
“We knew when he got called in, it’s a great honor and everything and we sup
port that for sure,” Curtin said. “But the reality of playing a game was going to be difficult because they have such a good squad and a deep squad, as every CONMEBOL has. When you see a great player in our league like Ruidiaz come down with it because FIFA decided during a global pandemic to fly players all over the world, are you surprised that this is what’s going to happen? Absolutely not.
“I don’t think the communication was great. I think the decision-making was not great, a lot of indecision, a lot of back and forth. And now you deal with the consequences of that. If you were to give it a grade, I’d give it the same grade for how they handle racism: An F. That’s where I’m at with that whole thing. But we hope Jose gets back as quickly and safely as possible.”