Match Preview - Philadelphia Union
Game Info
Kickoff: 7:39PM CST
Watch: Apple TV
All-Time H2H Record
This is the first competitive match between Philadelphia Union and Austin FC.
Philadelphia’s Recent Form
If we expected a team that wouldn’t be pissed off and hungry for a win, then we were wrong. Pachuca just handed the Philadelphia Union their worst loss in club history on Tuesday night in CCC – a 6-nil ass-whooping. An embarrassing defeat that was not only an indictment on Philadelphia’s sluggish start, but the next chapter in a long commentary on how far behind MLS is compared to Liga MX. Surely the Union will be looking to bounce back in a big way at Q2 Stadium come Saturday night.
The Union opened its 2024 MLS campaign with a draw at Subaru Park in Chester, PA, against an improved Chicago Fire club. Philadelphia rallied from behind twice to notch the score at 2-2 in the 93rd minute on a Daniel Gazdag header. The game was evenly matched and Chicago had to have been disappointed to drop points in the waning moments of a tight contest.
Philadelphia has already played six games in their 2024 season and has only secured a single win, coming in the first leg of their CCC matchup with Deportivo Saprissa. Some of this can be attributed to being without star keeper Andre Blake for four of these matches, but it’s clear that this is not the powerhouse club (yet) that has been known for dominating MLS competition in recent years.
In their second regular season clash with Sporting KC, Philadelphia employed a heavily rotated side that saw plenty of minutes from reserves. Nonetheless, this is a team without a win in the league, just like Austin FC. Philadelphia’s roster is chock full of talent, but their front three are truly a formidable trio with Mikael Uhre, Julian Carannza, and the aforementioned Daniel Gazdag leading the attack. The back line is anchored by ignorant yet uber-talented bozo Kai Wagner and Jakob Glesnes, which is stout, physical, and disciplined.
As of this writing, Andre Blake should be considered probable as he battles back from a lingering groin injury. He was in net for the 6-0 thrashing on Tuesday night. While former Louisville City FC goalkeeper Oliver Semmle has been serviceable in his time in relief, he is a far cry from the skill and athletic prowess that Blake provides. If Blake is able to go again this Saturday, Austin FC will have even more of their work cut out for them to put the ball in the back of the net.
While the Verde and Black will look to slay the beast that is the Philadelphia Union in the first battle versus between the two, the chess match on the sidelines is just as intriguing. Jim Curtin, head coach of the Union, is one of the best in the business and has garnered plenty of respect around the league after a shaky start to his coaching career. A native of Pennsylvania, Curtin is an ex-player with two Coach of the Year awards to his name (2020 & 2022). He’s isn’t afraid to get creative to maximize the talent his roster is equipped with. Austin FC manager Josh Wolff will look to match wits with Curtin and will be forced into uncomfortable situations, as Philadelphia is renowned for exploiting other team’s weaknesses.
While the Philadelphia Union had a relatively quiet offseason they were able to retain Wagner and the team’s heart and soul, Alejandro Bedoya (who also has a front-office role). Sadly, Brandon Craig truthers won’t be able to watch their golden goose, as he was loaned to USL club El Paso Locomotive for the 2024 season.
Philadelphia has experimented with several different lineups and formations to start this season as they dealt with a condensed schedule due to CCC and injuries to key contributors. While they may not be at the top of their game of late, they are still a dangerous club with difference-makers in all phases of the game. Keep an eye out for the starting lineup pre-match to see who Curtin calls upon after the thrashing they endured at the hands of Pachuca, which saw many important players leave the match early as it was essentially over by halftime.
Austin FC’s Recent Form
Where to begin? The word “recent” is relative and indefinite. It always requires context and is subject to the person who is referencing how recently something happened.
This couldn’t be more true when it comes to this team. Recently, we played the shittiest half of footie this club has ever seen. Recently, we haven’t won a fucking game. Also recently, the team looked really great in a matchup versus 2023’s top-seed in the Western Conference, which ended in heartbreak thanks to a goal that deflected off the inside of Ethan Finlay’s leg and into the net.
Recency bias is the practice of placing too much emphasis on experiences that are freshest in the subject’s memory. So, are you, as a fan of this club, placing more emphasis on the deflection that led to our collective heartbreak, or are you placing more emphasis on our very encouraging on-field display last Saturday? Perspective matters, I won’t say you’re wrong if you place more emphasis on the fortunate goal that Pompeu scored with less than a minute remaining in that match, but I choose to be encouraged. Approach it as you please, but #10 has yet to start his redemption tour.
Let’s start there. Is Sebastián Driussi going to play? Soccer Gods, I beg of you to heal that hammy and let this man do what he was born to do. I am thrilled at the prospect of watching Rubio play off of Seba’s creativity. They look to be polar opposites in regard to their on-pitch demeanor, and I truly believe that Rubio will bring some more DAWG out of Driussi when he finally gets to play with him.
Adjustments were asked of the coaching staff and adjustments were made. Emiliano Rigoni found himself parked on the bench in our matchup with City and it was the right call. The team was more fluid and the work rate provided by Ethan Finlay and Jáder Obrian was profoundly more impactful than anything Rigoni has put out on the pitch thus far this season. Furthermore, we made adjustments late in that game to do our best to secure three points at home. It didn’t work out. It’s nobody’s fault that Ethan’s pale thigh caught a stray that yielded the tying goal. The adjustment was the correct move, as St. Louis had pushed the majority of their players forward, desperately trying to find an equalizer. They did. Their adjustment worked. It doesn’t mean that ours wasn’t the right call.
I anticipate the same lineup we saw versus St. Louis to start this game, with Driussi being (actually) available off the bench. In our season preview, we discussed how difficult our opening schedule would be, and looking at the table it’s easy to see that the Western Conference is a cluster with plenty of teams still trying to find their identity. Sticking with the lineup that we saw on that chilly Saturday evening is the right move to begin finding our identity and building cohesiveness.
Injury Report
ATX - Sebastian Driussi (Questionable - Hamstring), Leo Väisänen (Out - Plantar Fasciitis)
PHI - Leon Flach (Out - Shoulder), Isaiah LeFlore (Out - Knee), Holden Trent (Out - Finger)
Updated Friday March 15 @ 4:59pm CT
Philadelphia Players to Watch
Daniel Gazdag - The man is a machine. He has 41 goals and 26 assists in four seasons with the club. If you haven’t seen him play, then there’s not much I can teach you about this Hungarian assassin that you won’t learn come Saturday night. Can we limit his touches in attacking positions? Are we able to dispossess the ball from him when he’s on it? I sure hope we can. Otherwise, expect Gazdag to inflict some Philly flavored pain upon the Verde faithful.
Kai Wagner - Good dude? Nah. Good soccer player? Yah. When he’s not spewing racist vitriol on the pitch, Kai Wagner is a really good soccer player. He is able to advance the ball tactically from his fullback position and uses his energy efficiently to find himself in the attacking third without compromising his defensive integrity. If Obrian gets the start and can keep him honest with his impressive speed, then Austin FC can neutralize him. One thing is for sure, I’ll be chirping at him from Section 123. 🙂
Alejandro Bedoya - The good news is that Bedoya is 36 years old and slower than he’s ever been. The bad news is he’s still quite good. While he may have lost a step, he continues to be a master of his craft in this league. Ever in control of his body and pace, Bedoya will be a super-sub for the Union this season who can be called upon whether Philly needs a goal or is trying to hold onto a lead. He can play multiple positions across the midfield and will be the fulcrum for the Philly attack.
Austin Players to Watch
Jhojan Valencia - If you’re a long-time listener of the pod, you know that we (rightfully) criticized Jhojan for his inconsistent play over the first season and a half he was in Austin. Those days are behind us now, as he has solidified himself as one of our best players to start this season, carrying over what was a strong finish in 2023. His on-ball defense and aggressive, physical style of play is something that we are sorely lacking in our midfield. He will need to be excellent again in order for the Verde and Black to keep the Uhre, Carannza, and Gazdag trio in check.
Alex Ring - Another disappointing display from Alex last week. He was neither good nor bad, which means that he was not impactful in a positive or negative manner. Obviously, we need him to be impactful in a positive manner in order to get the most out of this team, but what does that look like at this stage of his career? Over the first three weeks, it looks like Alex has lost a step compared to the bar he has set for himself over his first three seasons in ATX, and it could be seen when he whiffed on a tackle on flop-artist Aziel Jackson in the second-half of the St. Louis game that yielded a deserved penalty kick. Alex has to return to form for us as questions continue to linger in the midfield thanks to subpar performances from him and Dani Pereira to start this season.
Diego Rubio - I love this dude. He’s a menace. He’s tenacious. He’s not afraid of the moment and he’s damn skilled. We need him to break through the way he did in preseason and begin putting the ball in the back of the net. Expect that to happen sooner rather than later. As I mentioned above, I’m thrilled at the prospect of Rubio pairing with Seba. They’ll wreak havoc in the attacking third and hopefully begin generating our best chances of the season (which, admittedly, is not a high bar to clear so far).
Austin’s Keys to the Game
Knock The Door Off The Hinges - In 1999 Eve released her studio debut album titled Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady. The track “Philly, Philly” was a favorite of mine. The song is methodically dope and was a favorite of pre-teen E, who had the CD spinning away in his CD player in the deeeeep pockets of his JNCO jeans. Beanie Siegel is featured on that song, and he finishes his verse with an iconic:
“Fuck being humble, ain’t no other way to end this
We ain’t open up the door, we knocked that bitch up off the hinges”
Nothing is given in this cruel league and if you want a dub, you have to go and take it for yourself – no team is letting you in. It’s of the utmost importance that Austin capture the win-starved fans passion at Q2 come Saturday and ride the momentum from the Verde faithful to the finish line.
Andre Blake/Oliver Semmle - After he played in Tuesday’s loss, Blake is the probable starter here. He’s is arguably the most athletic keeper in the league, and he pairs that natural ability with supreme positioning and anticipation. If he’s in net, then our shots will need to be fired with tactical precision to beat him. Semmle is no slouch, but it would be a welcome surprise if he’s in the XI on Saturday evening.
Be Like Water - In that, we must flow. We must roll with the punches and flow with changes in momentum that come with all games. If things aren’t working for Curtin, he will be quick to pull the trigger with some changes, either positionally or with his team’s formation. Can Wolff respond to the adjustments? This is one of the most demanding components of securing a win versus Philadelphia. They create threatening counteraction in every step and try to pinpoint the weaknesses of all of their opponents. Austin has been comfortable relinquishing long shots to other teams, but Philly will be aware of that and may look to stretch the back four of Gallagher, Hedges, Cascante, and Komanič as wide as possible to create angles they can exploit.
Predictions
E - 2-1 Austin FC
ZG - 1-1
