Heartbreaking loss shows Union can be Cup contenders

CHESTER » The sound resonating at the final whistle, over the cheers of New York City FC’s celebration, wasn’t of a championship window slamming shut. Instead, for the first time in franchise history, the Union have proven to be plausible MLS Cup contenders.

Without 11 regulars, including five starters, due to COVID-19 protocols, the Union hung tough with NYCFC. The visitors didn’t go ahead until the 88th minute, when Talles Magno sent the Cityzens to a 2-1 win and the franchise’s first Eastern Conference title.

The effort spoke highly of the Union’s mentality, but it might have been even more laudatory about the roster’s depth of talent. Given all that transpired in the week leading up to the biggest game in franchise history, it should illustrate how big the opportunity is before them.

The doubt had always been there, and understandably so. From a franchise that made the playoffs just once in its first six seasons, playoff qualification has become almost a given. Never before had the Union won multiple playoff games in the same season. That big-game weakness, dating back to U.S. Open Cup finals of yore, had always been the counterweight to Jim Curtin’s continual growth mantra.

But the Union banished those demons in 2021 by finishing second in the East, in reaching the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, in being a minute margin from playing for MLS Cup, even with 60 percent of a roster. Zoom out and the Union have the most points in MLS over the last three seasons at 156. (They trail Seattle by a slim margin on points per game, the Sounders at 155 in one fewer game).

So the message, for the first time, should be clear: This franchise is close; near enough to take some uncharacteristic financial gambles.

“It’s tough. It hurts right now,” Curtin said. “I love my group of guys. I love these players. I love this club. I love this city. And it’s a tough one, it hurts.”

The Union have championship pieces. They boast a stellar defensive spine, led by a perennial goalkeeper of the year candidate in Andre Blake and a center-back contingent so deep that Nos. 3 and 4 performed ably against NYCFC, particularly Stuart Findlay.

They have one of the best left backs in MLS (Kai Wagner), and despite his errors Sunday, Olivier Mbaizo is in line to start for Cameroon in a World Cup.

The midfield is tremendously deep, for as long as the Union can keep hold of Jose Martinez. Alejandro Bedoya, at 34, may still have one more high-level season left. The bulk of club’s seven internationals reside in midfield. Leon Flach and Jesus Bueno have tremendous upside. Even if Jamiro Monteiro doesn’t return after summer transfer whispers — he was given the armband for Sunday’s depleted squad — Daniel Gazdag has looked up to the challenge of the starting role.