‘One day at a time’ takes on deeper meaning for Union
MLS most certainly Is Back. But in a COVID-19 pandemic that is definitely not over, no matter how many ESPN promos project to the contrary, MLS might not be back forever.
While the time in the Orlando bubble has been generally a success in terms of the competition and player health and safety, it’s also gone from hindrance to luxury. And once teams start heading home — first the eight teams eliminated from the group stage that ends Thursday, then losers of knockout-round games — the future goes back to murky.
The Union, then, are prepping for their Round of 16 game with the New England Revolution Saturday night (10:30, ESPN2) cognizant of the stakes for advancement in Orlando. But they also know what they don’t know – as in when their next game is should they lose.
“We talk about it here and there,” captain Alejandro Bedoya said in a media Zoom session Thursday. “Guys ask me if I know anything about what’s going to happen when we go home. I think the plan is still the same from the league, to try to play in-market games. The timeline of that or how many games or this and that, I have no idea. There’s still so much uncertainty in that.
“But I can tell you in soccer, playing, it’s our passion. It’s what we get paid to do, it’s what we love to do. So I can tell you every time we step out on the training field, on the soccer field, we take it seriously and we try to have fun and enjoy it.”
The Union have enjoyed it more than most teams at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. The second-place team in Group A has two wins and a draw, the latest a 1-1 against Orlando City. In a tournament where Atlanta United, D.C. United and at least one of the New York teams won’t advance, the Union’s stock in the
Eastern Conference is rising. The club is unbeaten in four games and, at 2-1-2 (8 points), sits fourth in the larger East standings. (Group-stage games counted toward the regular-season standings; knockout games do not).
They’ve been installed by at least one major outlet, FiveThirtyEight, as the second favorite to Los Angeles FC to win the tournament, which would be the first trophy in franchise history.
But the question remains what that larger season will look like. While the NBA might be able to absorb an eight-figure bill to stay in Disney for months on end, that’s beyond MLS’ revenue. Teams will have to return to the real world like so many families coming down off the Disney vacation high of years past. MLS’ stated desire is to return to home markets at some point, with the increasing likelihood that it will be without fans.
While they’ve proven the ability to largely keep players and staff safe, that restof-the-season plan remains in the works. It’s subject to COVID-19 spread and the complication of cross-border travel for three Canadian clubs.
So right now, all that clubs like the Union have are the 90 minutes directly in front of them, which fits the oneday-at-a-time ethos that the coronavirus has forced them into for many months.
“All we can really focus on is the game, and that’s been our thought process since after the Orlando game,” Brenden Aaronson said. “I think every training session this week we need to take seriously and we need to put all our energy into the New England game because we don’t know what’s going to happen after this. So I think just working hard this week and putting all we can into the game, because it might be our last game for a little bit ... is big.”
The time in the bubble has shown a lot of things about the Union. For one, they’re a close team that appears to genuinely enjoy playing together. As the monotony of hotel life has encroached, they’ve tried to make it work for them, via video-game sessions, golf outings or whatever else passes for socially distant entertainment.
Players went into this tourney with the desire to play the game they love and to finally get competitive games after a four-month hiatus. While other clubs have shown a borderline disdain for being there, the Union have followed coach Jim Curtin’s advice of looking for the positives.
“Now that we’re here, it’s about remaining optimistic, positive,” Bedoya said. “I think within our group, whether it’s playing Call of Duty online or FIFA with the guys, guys have come together and we’ve built an even more strong bond together. Getting to know each other even more, the guys can get acclimated to the group.
“Whatever comes, we’ll take it when it comes.”