Philadelphia Union practiced in the Pacific Northwest on Friday, preparing for a cross-conference matchup against Portland on Saturday night at Providence Park. After their rainy matchday -1 training session, Head Coach Jim Curtin met with the media to preview the matchup.
Stepping Up
Philadelphia Union will be without eight players from their typical gameday group due to national team duties, leaving Curtin with 14 field players and two goalkeepers available for selection on Saturday.
In his press conference, Curtin wasn’t shy to describe his group as depleted, but ensured their determination toward claiming a result hasn’t wavered.
“Yes, when you're missing six starters, in MLS I think every club in every situation would be really hurt by that. But we can't use that as an excuse,” Curtin said. "We have to go out, play the schedule that's in front of us and try to get a result against a Portland team that Phil Nevilles done a great job with. He has some really, really strong attacking pieces that are dangerous, really strong in transition, and Ihave scored some really good goals this year. It's a tough task, for sure.”
He emphasized that a game like the one ahead will be an opportunity for depth players to step up, and without revealing his entire lineup, he cited homegrown striker Jeremy Rafanello as one who’s name will be called for tomorrow’s first xi.
“I have to spin it and see the positives. We're going to get to learn about some other guys in this instance. Rafanello is a guy who's played great for us in training now and has done some good work in the games as well. I'll just say, he's got a great opportunity tomorrow,” Curtin said. “He'll be with a leader in Alejandro Bedoya in the midfield that we're going to lean on heavily to help some inexperienced guys.”
Portland Prep
Curtin gave a glimpse into the game plan for Saturday, calling out a list of opposing players who’ve impressed so far this season in Neville’s first year as Head Coach, namely their front four in Evander, Antony, Asprilla, Moreno, plus Mosquera at right back.
“It's as terrifying of an attack and transition as you'll have in our league. All capable of scoring a goal individually, all capable of setting up the next guy, all capable of making a game winning play. I think you guys have seen that from the goals that they’ve scored this year,” Curtin said.
“Our job is to try to limit as best we can in those transition moments because if those guys get isolated in space one versus one, it's going to be a long night for us.”
