Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin declared that when training resumed ahead of the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, Florida, that the entire squad would be starting with a clean slate. With just two games under the team’s belt for the 2020 campaign, the attention of much speculation remains on the club’s deepest position of center back.
“It’s probably our deepest position and that position is very deep and that’s a good problem to have,” Curtin said.
With a group that features Jack Elliott, Jack Glesnes, Mark McKenzie plus Aurelien Collin, even MLSSoccer.com senior writer Matthew Doyle has his eye on the battle. While McKenzie and Glesnes earned the first two starts of the season, Curtin said that Elliott’s form has returned to his 2019 standards that have him near the top of the league.
“It’s a real competition right now and all are very sharp,” Curtin said last week during his press conference. “Jack is playing really well after a little dip in the preseason but that is all behind him now, he looks like Jack from last year when he was one of the best defenders in our league. Mark McKenzie is taking big steps forward in his growth and development and you’ve seen Jakob’s quality too. Happy with how hard they are working and competing and we will pick the right pairing going into the game against New York City FC.”
There are still 10 days for Curtin and his technical staff to sort out the starting battle before battle Philadelphia Union kicks off its participation in the MLS is Back Tournament on Thursday, July 9 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The match will kick off at 9 a.m. ET and be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
