Photo: Earl Gardner
With the 2013 season fading to memory, the Philadelphia Union is taking steps to prepare for the 2014 MLS season.
In the latest installment of the KYW Philly Soccer Show, assistant coach Brendon Burke talks with KYW’s Greg Orlandini and PSP’s Eli Pearlman-Storch about the team’s plans to prepare for 2014.
Burke says the team will be very active in player acquisition during the off-season. He also says the team was operating under severe financial restrictions last season, which they are no longer under.
Among the Union’s targets are a playmaker as well a player or two to shore up the left side.
Burke also says the team is hoping to change formations next season, going to an open, passing-orientated 4-3-3.
He says the team is also looking to the draft to build up the team, with four picks in the first two rounds of the 2014 MLS Draft.
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To listen to the pod, click on the link above or visit the Philly Soccer Show iTunes page.
Lets see what actually happens. I dont think they will be able to show real progress.
Brendan Burke comes across as a very smart and candid person. He’s a much better interview than Hackworth.
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However, I was surprised when he said that a #8 is on their shopping list and didn’t like his answer because:
1) They already have a great box-to-box midfielder on their roster in Okugo.
2) They are viewing the center back position as not a need with Okugo, Parke and Williams being good enough to handle that position over the long haul.
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Thanks to Greg and Eli for doing the pod this year, I really enjoy listening to these each week. Hopefully, you have a couple planned for the off-season to tide us over until next March.
Thanks for listening! We will be doing some through out the offseason, as news breaks or signings happen. Plus, with the draft in Philly, we will be recording the show on location. Is it March yet?
i will be feverishly refreshing the pocast’s website every thursday and friday just in case
do you need tickets for the draft?
Noop
Great show! I have enjoyed listening all year – makes mowing the lawn so much more pleasant. You guys ask all the questions I wish I could.
And for those of us counting…93 days until preseason in sunny, hopefully warmer this year, Florida!
Thanks for the season – see you at the draft.
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