The next man up mentality Jim Curtin preaches has been embraced by his 2019 Philadelphia Union squad. Whether it be suspensions or last second injuries, every player has to be prepared to step up and make the most of each opportunity.
Now... what if that opportunity coincided with a MLS debut? If you are a Union fan, this is not a new story. Homegrown products Anthony Fontana, Brenden Aaronson, and Mark McKenzie all got their debuts due to injuries. Goalkeeper Matt Freese joined that list over the weekend, coming on for Andre Blake following a groin injury. And while the moment wasn’t as he imagined it, it was still one he will never forget.
“It definitely meant everything to me. And the most important thing was getting a debut no matter the place, and it was an unbelievable experience and something I’m really thankful for,” Freese said as the club prepares to travel to Vancouver this weekend. “There was an added bonus that my family was there and of course getting a shutout was really important as well. I didn’t have much to do and I’m thankful to my teammates for taking care of me real well especially the second half when I was in.”
“You have these discussions with the parents when the initial signing happens and you look out on the field and whisper to them ‘It’s going to be sooner than you think that he’s going to be out there’ and this one came true,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said in his midweek press conference. “When [Andre Blake] went down, you’re nervous because Matt is a 20-year-old kid about to go onto a field in a tough game for the first time. You tell him to take a deep breath, relax and it’s still the same game. You saw his teammates had his back when he ran on the field, Haris shakes his hand and thumbs up; a couple Montreal guys come over to harass him a little bit and Ray pushing them away. These things matter and we all have Matt’s back.
While Curtin confirmed Blake’s injury will sideline him for the upcoming match, he didn’t name a starter for this weekend. As the battle rages on between Carlos Miguel Coronel and Freese, the Wayne, Pa., native has been trying his best to just treat this week as just another week of training. Despite numerous texts from family, former teammates and coaches, the rookie is just trying to be a sponge and absorb as much as possible.
“I’m not someone that dwells on the past, I’m just moving forward and trying to be ready for whatever is next for me so I was back to work the day after.” Freese said of his debut. “I’m just trying to focus on being there at practice every day, being early, leaving late and doing what I’ve been doing for the past three months and continuing to learn as much as I can.”
As another game draws nearer the Union once again have to embrace their next man up identity, this time without the man Jim Curtin calls their 'security blanket,' Andre Blake. While Curtin and his staff will make the ultimate decision soon, they have faith in both players.
“We believe in Matt and we believe in Carlos as well. We will have to make a decision for what’s best for Vancouver.”
We will all find out when the Union take the field against the Whitecaps at 5 p.m. ET this Saturday, live on PHL17.
