Photo: Marjorie Elzey

With a run of form like the Union have had, it is challenging not to look back on the last two months and observe the qualities and dualities of the prototypical Union supporter.

There is a fine line between criticism and disrespect. One doesn’t have to look much further than the comment section of any given Union match report from prior to May 2 to glean this.

The form was poor. The expectations are high. Those two items are known quantities.

Facts.

Whilst there is some definite overlap between the negative takes in the comment sections on PSP and the echo chambers that are social media, one thing is clear: the line between criticism and disrespect for Jim Curtin was and is all too fine.

And while that negativity has not been as prevalent as of late, it certainly was a “thing” and will always be a “thing” as long as the grass grows green and the Union start the season slow.

A Philadelphia problem

In the world of insurance and risk management, this fine city is cursed with a phenomenon, sometimes referred to as the “Philadelphia problem.” With some of the highest rates of uninsured drivers and insurance fraud per capita, car insurers charge exorbitant premiums to compensate for the frequency of the presence of fraud or lack of insurance.

A problem borne out of the spirit of negligence.

On the other hand, there is a problem blessing this city that I lovingly refer to as the “Philadelphia problem.” This iteration of the “problem” is overt criticism that becomes disrespectful to its own athletes and sports figures.

From journalists, to analysts, to radio personalities, to match report commenters, to fans—we all are guilty of this. It simply comes with the territory.

Though, this rendition of the Philadelphia problem is borne in the spirit of dedication, support, and loyalty.

The warm-up

To paint the full picture, let’s rewind nine years.

A recently appointed interim manager, following the firing of John Hackworth mid-season in 2014, found himself at the helm of his hometown team. Curtin’s first season as interim manager saw the bench boss advance the team to the US Open Cup final while only losing five of the 16 remaining MLS games. Something this club could build upon? Surely.

A now full-blown, non-interim, Curtin followed up that season with his team finishing ninth out of 10 in the Eastern Conference in 2015, posting a -13 goal differential and missing the playoffs for the third straight season. Though, the team made it to the US Open Cup final, yet again, coming out second best. No worse than the preceding campaign, yet not exactly any improvement.

T’was a different time. The expectations for the team and its manager aligned with this notion.

The need for urgent results just was not requisite.

The come up

In the time since, Curtin has figured it out—achieving milestone after milestone, including a first playoff win, a full-scale and top-ranked academy pipeline to Europe, and even some hardware to the Union’s bare trophy case.

A roster that has turned over in full since Curtin’s first match in charge. From names like Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud, and Andrew Wenger to José Martinez, Alejandro Bedoya, and Mikael Uhre. Record signings. Record sales of academy kids.

The works.

All accomplished at the persistent consistency of Jim Curtin.

The doorstep

Fast forward to seven months ago.

This team was on the precipice of achieving what once seemed like a pipe dream marinated in LSD.

If you asked any Union supporter in that 2014-2015 timeframe whether they thought Big Jim would have this club on the doorstep of winning the most exhilarating MLS Cup final ever played, they would be in a fit of laughter-induced hysterics.

And, oh, by the way, the thought of Jim Curtin also receiving justified shouts to be the next tap for USMNT manager? That same supporter would be struggling to keep their jaw from dropping to the gravel in Lot G.

The present

The reality is that Jim Curtin ultimately found success. Like rungs on a ladder, or the steps at Chichen Itza, Curtin’s success is an imperfect, yet ascending slope. Rung by rung, step by step, the club has achieved some form of equivalent or greater success each year he has been in the saddle as Union manager.

Considering Curtin came in when the Union were in a pit of inevitable perennial despair, this resolute upward trajectory has garnered a reputation that requires perpetuating.

Especially in a city where the only way to endear yourself to the fan base is to win. Curtin has said that himself. Let the crowd on Saturday night be an example of what can happen when this team is tallying it up in the win column.

But reality is reality, and in this reality, the Union underachieved early in the MLS campaign yet again. Criticism was warranted.

All eyes were on Jim to make a change from what had been a historically and unwaveringly successful system. He found success under a different defensive and midfield structure out of the 3-5-2. Albeit, without their captain and key young budding midfielder through a demanding stretch of games against tough competition.

Curtin constructed a way to get his best players in the XI, without deviating from his core values.

Jim deserves credit.

Onward

The Union have built their identity on the back of Jim Curtin. It is his inherent willingness to instill his direct tactics and unrelenting press. It is blue-collar. It is industrial, just like the city to which Curtin traces his beginnings.

Though, if there is anything that is true, it is that Jim Curtin deserved our patience. He deserved time to right the ship just like he was given early in his tenure.

Curtin himself said it best in that the difference between him and a lot of other “one-and-done” managers is that he was given the time to figure things out. Time to fail, to learn, and to tinker.

This season is no different.

He now has this team humming: unbeaten in their last nine games, a +50 goal differential in its last 20 home matches, and points in the standings virtually equivalent to the same match week last season.

Is he absolved from criticism? Absolutely not. Nor is he exempt from dealing with the Philadelphia problem. Like all of us, Curtin has his flaws. His tactical brain and in-game adjustments can at times be puzzling. But with his contract up at the end of this year, and the USMNT rumors growing louder, what is your perfect alternative? Is there a better alternative than Jim Curtin for this team? For this city? I sure as heck don’t think so.

In his ninth year in charge, Curtin is still climbing the rungs on the ladder. Here’s hoping that the top of the ladder is one rung higher than the ladder climbed last season.