Photo: @PhilaUnion on X

“A new idea is a fresh perspective on an old problem.”

The “new idea,” in this case, is, of course, the hiring of Bradley Carnell to replace long-time Union manager Jim Curtin. In the transition from Curtin to Carnell, the Union assumed a quite similar tactical ideology and posture to previous seasons under Jim Curtin.

Yet, that new manager with the new ideas, and the new faces spattering the lineup, certainly had some “good new” shine through the Club’s commitment to their “fraying old” in the season opening win in Orlando on Saturday night.

Change of face

Oft a hallmark of the previously utilized 4-4-2 diamond, The Boys’ in Blue shape looked markedly narrow through the midfield and attack when in possession in the newly installed 4-2-2-2. This narrow shape led to several quick switches of play on Orlando counter-attacks that nearly exposed Philly’s lack of positional awareness in Carnell’s newly adopted approach.

To that end, and similarly to also Curtin’s tactics, the 4-2-2-2 is very heavily reliant on the outside backs getting forward and creating width in possession. Right on cue, the Union were the first to pick the ball out of their net when Orlando were able to exploit Kai Wagner bombing forward on the left without much cover behind him.

The team still haven’t broken the habit of conceding egregious scoring chances – ceding 2 goals on 2.9 goals expected vs. Orlando. A tip of the cap to Andre Blake is deserved as he made some patented “Brickwall” saves to keep Orlando’s attack at bay.

Yet still, the Union did create their share of good scoring opportunities. However, one major difference from what happened down the stretch last season can be denoted.

The team were opportunistic – potting 4 goals on 1.8 expected goals created in the opener.

Even though the Union were victorious and certainly made a statement on the road, the questions that surrounded this team’s previous coaching cohort remain:

Is this rate of chance conversion on the attacking side, at this lack of chance suppression on the defensive side, sustainable when the going gets tough?

Encouraging key performances

From back to front, Jakob Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya each had strong performances in this one. At 20 years of age, Makhanya, in particular, showed up strong in his debut for the first team. There were several instances where both center backs were tasked with playing out of significant pressure from Orlando, and the center-back partners each showed composure to build out of the back in these moments.

Coming off a down season for the former defender of the year, Glesnes took a step in the right direction, leading the team with 5 progressive passes and 5 passes into the final third. He looked sharp and made sound decisions with the ball at his feet.

Jovan Lukic and Danley Jean-Jacques officially rang in the post-Jose Martinez Union era, showing up sturdily in the new look “double-pivot” midfield. The pair of 6’s created a solid mid-block that shielded Makhanya and Glesnes from quick counters. Yes, the same quick counters that infamously brutalized the Union’s back-line much of last season. This new look, employed by Carnell, buttressed the center of the defense and forced Orlando to try to beat the Union with expansive width, which Orlando succeeded in doing – twice.

Yet, the pair were important in the victory, often doing the dirty running that will go unnoticed. Lukic even had a beauty of a through ball to a cutting Westfield (entering off-screen right below) that forced Orlando to turn toward their own net, leading indirectly to the first Union goal of the season.

Once this pass was made, Orlando panicked, as it was the first instance in the match that Philadelphia were able to break through their backline cleanly.

This is the exact type of line splitting pass and progressive play the new central midfield duo will want to create on a consistent basis in the absence of Jack McGlynn – who contributed to goals in this “off-the-stat-sheet” fashion regularly.

Quinn Sullivan and Daniel Gazdag were quite active in the Union’s attack throughout the contest. Both were focal points in each Union break – finding good space just behind Baribo and Uhre to sink into, receive the ball and turn and put Orlando under siege. The duo also didn’t mind sneaking out into the wide channels on occasion to provide a good outlet when necessary.

Simply put, Sullivan and Gazdag were on the ball wreaking havoc at a high rate, logging a combined 90 touches on 13 progressive receptions altogether. They even connected, in some fashion, on the Union’s first two goals.

Not bad work for two creative attacking players in new-ish roles.

And when the pair weren’t in possession, they were chasing and causing chaos in advanced positions – energy drink soccer on full display.

And of course, Frankie Westfield logged an impressive debut for a 19 year-old, getting his first start at right-back for the first team.

The Union homegrown showed a penchant for getting forward, while displaying his creative ability in the wide areas. There were several passes where he flashed very good vision, but just missed on connecting with his target.

No better way to cap off a debut then to log an assist!

After reflection, his debut was on par with a solid game from former-Union RB Keegan Rosenberry; to whom, Westfield’s skillset and potential compares favorably. More time in the weight room and more reps against professional competition for Westfield, and the Club could be well on their way to having an explosive outside back tandem.

Looking forward

One item that may get lost in the unexpected catharsis (band name?) from Saturday night’s victory is that this performance was accomplished without the Club’s two newest additions, Bruno Damiani and Indiana Vassilev.

It is worth a ponder how much those two additions raise the collective ceiling for this team. At the very least, it adds two new pieces to the tool-belt of Bradley Carnell – a manager seemingly slightly more willing to be tactically flexible than Jim Curtin.

While the expectations for this season should not be adjusted for one single victory in Match Week 1, the Union looked very much alive on Saturday night in Orlando. If the team can get some friendly bounces, by way of health and consistent finishing, the nature of the Philadelphia Union’s tactics and high motor can keep them competitive against much better teams than the one they defeated Saturday.

As the season wears on, the questions asked of Carnell’s predecessor loom: to what effect will the infusion of “new” transform the classic Union tactics and moneyball ideology into results?

This week, in particular, a fresh perspective on an old problem feels kind of nice.