Philadelphia Union is set to start their final stretch of the season on the road, taking on Inter Miami CF at Chase Stadium. Before the team departed for their trip to the sunshine state, Head Coach Jim Curtin met with the media, providing an update on his team’s health and preparations for the upcoming contest.
Injury updates
Curtin began his press conference with addressing team injuries suffered during the most recent international window - starting with more positive news about Tai Baribo, who hurt his hamstring with the Israeli National Team, but will still be available against Miami on Saturday.
“He has trained well the last two days, which was surprising. He feels good and ready to go and contribute,” Curtin said.
Andre Blake was the next on Curtin’s list – the team’s 33-year-old goalkeeper returned from his international duties late Wednesday night, but with some discomfort that could leave him out of this weekend’s contest.
“Andre Blake picked up some real groin discomfort towards the end of his last game with Jamaica against Honduras. Some tightness, annd just really felt in pain when he was kicking balls at the end of the game, which is obviously a big part of the game for a goalkeeper. So that hurts. He's kind of day to day. We'll see how he feels tomorrow,” Curtin said.
Blake wasn’t able to train on Thursday, but did receive treatment at the club’s campus in Chester.
Last on the list was Philadelphia Union’s newest signing Danley Jean Jacques, who was away with Haiti when he hurt his ankle playing against Sint Maarten.
“Everybody saw the tackle that Danley took by now on Twitter or various platforms. A tough tackle in a situation where on astroturf, it's a little tricky with the ankle. He's obviously in pain, came back on a flight, has gotten treatment the last two days, hasn't been able to train quite yet, but won't rule him out completely,” Curtin said.
Curtin closed his press conference with an update on Daniel Gazdag, who was unable to join Hungary during the window due to an injury suffered in the team's most recent match against New York Red Bulls.
"It was a minor hamstring issue that led to him having to come out of the Red Bull game. I was a little nervous at first, but he's been able to train in the recent days and look sharp and confident after we gave him about a week off. Is the sharpness is exactly where it was before the injury? No. But he will be available for our game.
Next man up mentality
Philadelphia Union has three games in nine days ahead, and with a handful of players with injuries, Curtin could call on his depth as the team pushes for a playoff spot. It all starts against Inter Miami, who’s one of the most challenging opponents the Union will face not only in these final seven games, but all season long.
Obviously those three guys hurt, but at the same time, it's got to be a next man up mentality, because we play the best team in MLS this weekend in their building. There’s a possibility, obviously, of Messi maybe coming back. We have to prepare for that, prepare for their best group. Again, it'll take a perfect performance on the road to bring back points to Philly,” Curtin said.
As for rotation among his team, Curtin expressed his confidence in his team’s midfield depth, while sharing that Blake’s presence will have a big impact on their overall gameplan.
“I think we do have depth in midfield. Bueno comes off of a trip with Venezuela. Didn't get any minutes, but still good to get called in. Leon Flach is more than capable. You have Ale Bedoya, Quinn Sullivan, Jack McGlynn,” Curtin said.
“You have enough guys in spots for the midfield. How we do it against a really strong team is still to be determined. Obviously, if Danley’s back, that changes our plan a bit. If Andre's in goal, I think that changes our plan quite a bit as well. So, a lot of variables moving here.”
Cavan Sullivan to take the trip to Florida
14-year-old Homegrown Cavan Sullivan will take the trip to Florida on Friday with the Union, and it's possible the young star could take the field against the sport’s biggest name. Before elaborating on whether or not Sullivan is slated to see minutes, Curtin spoke to Sullivan’s recent development and why just taking the trip is important for his growth.
“Messi is the best player our game's ever had, and you have a young talent in Cavan Sullivan coming up that still has a heck of a lot of work to do, for sure, but I think you've seen now flashes with the national team, flashes with Union II glimpses with the first team, training with us every day, and I think he’s getting better. You guys don't see that part of the development and how he's fitting in against top players in our league. He trains with them each and every day, and he'll be a guy that you know will play a role and he will be on the trip with us this time around to Miami,” Curtin said.
“Whether he plays, whether he doesn't, depends on how the game state is and how the game goes. But to be there to experience all the things that go along with the atmosphere when Messi is on the field, I think that that is part of development too, because there's levels, then there's always a next level.”
