Photo: Paul Rudderow
Did Philadelphia Union get their man in last week’s MLS Super Draft?
In the latest installment of the KYW Philly Soccer Show, Union head coach Jim Curtin joins KYW’s Greg Orlandini and PSP’s writer Eli Pearlman-Storch, along with CBS Philly’s KEvin Kinkead, to answer that question and more.
The team had three picks in the first round last Thursday in Baltimore, after making a trade that eventually sent Zach Pfeffer to Colorado along with allocation money for the second pick. The team took defenders Josh Yaro and Keegan Rosenberry at the second and third spot, respectively. They then went with forward Fabian Herbers at the six spot, taking left back Taylor Washington with the third pick of the second round. Defender Mitchell Lurie and midfielder Cole Missimo were selected in the third and fourth rounds of the draft on Tuesday.
Curtin talks about what these players will add to the team as they push for spots on the roster.
Then, Greg, Eli, and Kevin discuss where the Union roster stands now. While the team bolstered the defense in the draft, as well as through the signing of center back Anderson Conceição, the offense still has some needs.
Greg, Eli, and Kevin also discuss Union captain Maurice Edu and his likely shift back into the midfield from defense.
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To listen to the pod, click on the player above or visit the Philly Soccer Show iTunes page. Follow the pod on Twitter at @KYWPhillySoccer.
Greg’s pronunciation is the best thing in the world. Restrepo = Rest-rope-o.
I’m sticking with first names this year.
No you are not.
*1
#IStandWithEli
…can someone give me a “Trahn-KWEE-lo,” thought? He’s Italian, that’s how you say it…
Agreed, especially if the Union sign a player like Alexander Kačaniklić from Fulham or Stefanos Athanasiados from PAOK.
Another great show guys!
Great show! Thanks for asking JC some hard questions. One more I would have asked is what the heck formation is the Union going to play. If they’re trying to amass 2 guys for every position, they must know what the formation is. And it’s presumably going to be used during preseason so it’s not like we need to keep it a secret for regular season. EITHER THEY HAVENT FIGURED IT OUT OR THEYRE BEING UNNECESSARILY SECRETIVE.
We’ll all know soon enough.
Best guess at this point is a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.
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Curtin talked about splitting the centerbacks and building out of the back. That means a four man backline.
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Curtin talked about high pressure and Klopp is currently one of the most famous for it. He used a 4-2-3-1 at BVB and now is using a 4-3-3 at Liverpool.
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Stewart is coming from a world of 4-3-3 but the Union might still have the personnel better suited for a 4-2-3-1.
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Currently the only real striker on the roster is Sapong but Herbers, Le Toux, and Pontius can all play striker as well which, unless (until?) a starting level (DP?) striker is signed, seems like a one striker formation fits.
Or maybe a 4-4-2. JC & ES playing it so close to the vest that I wonder what they’re thinking. Or even if they’re thinking. el P always harps about needing a Plan. What is the damn Plan?
I only think a 4-4-2 would be on the table if a starting level (DP?) striker is signed.
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I should say that personally, I think Le Toux is better suited as a striker then a midfielder. But even if you start Sapong and Le Toux up top who is your bench option if one is injured or gassed?
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Until another solid striker is signed, I would count the 4-4-2 out. By the way, all this is speaking strictly of starting formations, not a switch that is made late in a game or anything like that.
That was an excellent show! Chock full o’ goodies. I knew Jimmy was still keen on bringing in another striker. But who will it be? The Turkish guy they targeted just got suspended for threatening a reporter. Soooooooo, we could scoop him up on the cheap since he’s currently out of favor. I’d like to think (dream) that there is someone even better (DP worthy) out there that Earnie is targeting. Can you imagine what this team would look like with a two million dollar goal scoring machine up front for us? Not another midfielder. Not another winger. A cold blooded “give me the damn ball” Striker.
Great pod. Curtin’s cryptic answers on Nando were “interesting”. The rumors are that the Union are actively looking for a high-profile, DP-level striker so it will be fun to see how those conversations with Nantes play out in the context of this search.