After his team’s loss to Montreal Impact, Jim Curtin spoke to the media about the path ahead as Philly continues a stretch of games against strong opponents with an Open Cup final looming.
Not us
In assessing what went wrong on Saturday, Curtin said the team just didn’t do the things that have been the backbone of their success recently. “I spoke with the players today, had a good film session, broke down some things,” Curtin explained. “And I'm a big believer, a firm believer, that you learn the most about your group in times of adversity. You learn what our true character is by how we respond.”
The loss means the Union are now in a position where points against Seattle and Sporting Kansas City become even more important, but Curtin emphasized a balance between taking each game as it comes and keeping a big picture perspective.
“Off of the international break, two 4-1s, I think a 5-1, a 3-0, a 3-3,” Curtin said, listing off results from the weekend in MLS. “Teams that were below us picked up a couple points here and there. Teams that are above us are kind of stalling. Still six games left to play. We're three at home, three away. Some teams have as little as five games left, so every point matters now. It's cliche. Did we lose a bit of an opportunity to get some real solidity on it? Yes. But at the same time, we're still in a position where, if you said to me starting the season: You'll have an open cup final and have a chance for that and be in fifth place at this stage in the year, I'd sign up for that.”
Dockal status
The Union head coach emphasized that Saturday’s result changes nothing about how the club will handle Borek Dockal going forward. “There's a plan in place for him,” Curtin emphasized. “We wanted to get him on the field for Montreal and back with the group. We'll assess things and how the ankle responded to that game, knowing that we do have a final coming up, knowing that Seattle is turf and there's some travel involved. We have to manage it.”
Curtin gave no hint as to whether Dockal would travel to Seattle, telling the media with a laugh they were welcome to look up flights to the northwest if they wanted to find out if the Czech playmaker traveled.
Aaronson joins the group
New homegrown signing Brenden Aaronson practiced with the first team Monday morning. “There's a lot of teams that were sniffing around him at big clubs in Europe,” Curtin admitted. “I think it was the right move for the club. You have a kid who is unique in that, it's no secret that there's not a long list of successful No. 10s who are American in our league. And this is a kid who has all the tools to do it. And we'll see how things go.”
For his part, Aaronson said he felt like a part of the group in training and was ready to push the current crop of guys as he prepares for 2019. “There's definitely a ‘Wow’ moment at first because you're sitting with all these guys you saw on TV,” the teenager said. “And you saw Bedoya play in the World Cup. But then once you keep training you're like, ‘Oh yeah, I can play with these guys.’
“I dreamed of this and it's become a reality so it's really good.”
