Union Season Preview
By Justin Diaz
Before I start my preview for the Union's second season, I need to give a brief commentary. Last year Major League Soccer presented the Philadelphia fan base a rare opportunity. For the majority of us, we grew up watching the Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Phils. We're die-hard fans. We don't know why, but we just are because that's the way it always has been and that's the way it always will be. We got a new opportunity last year, however. The Union became the MLS' latest expansion franchise, and the most passionate sports city in the world became host to the most popular sport in the world. The Union did not come without their doubters. People said Philly's too much of a blue-collar town and a slow, patient sport like soccer wouldn't work here. People said we'd especially abandon the team after their inevitable slow start; expansion franchises notoriously struggle early on. The doubters could not have been more wrong. The Union sold out every single game, even when we fell into the Eastern Conference cellar. The Union are already beloved here and they will certainly be a Philly stronghold for years to come.
Now that I've given us credit as fans, it's time to look at the team we are going to support this year. We have plenty to be excited about going into this season; a playoff trip is well within reach if the following five things go the Union's way:
1. Let Le Toux Lead the Way There's a reason the Sons of Ben chant Sebastien Le Toux's name on a weekly basis. The man is an All-Star after his first year as a starter, was a blatant snub for the league's MVP (apparently leading the league with 25 points, ahead of second-best Landon Donovan, isn't enough), and plays a Philly kind of game. Beyond the simple love affair that comes with hard-nosed play, this guy is an all-world talent. In MLS, players are either great goal-scorers or great passers. Rarely does somebody combine both aspects, and yet Le Toux does just that. Last season, he was the only player to be in the top five in both goals and assists, proving he has a powerful strike and a soft touch. If the Union are going to make a mark this season, Le Toux has to be the guy to guide the team.
2. Mwanga's Maturation Le Toux didn't enter the season as the Union's most popular player. The Union took Danny Mwanga first overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, and immediately the fans in attendance at the event, held right here in Philly, began chanting his name. In his first season, Mwanga was nothing special, but showed flashes of brilliance, scoring seven goals and adding four assists. His natural talent is plainly evident, and in his sophomore campaign, look for the Congolese striker to continue his ascension and become one of the MLS' elite weapons.
3. Get a Goalie Last year the Union had tribulation at the keeper spot that rivaled that of the infamous Flyers' goaltender sagas. Chris Seitz came into the season with a ton of promise, but let in weak goal after weak goal. Brad Knighton managed to record two shutouts - two more than Seitz - but spent most of the season as Seitz's backup, with the reasoning becoming more and more clear as he earned more starts. Neither of them are back this year. Faryd Mondragon, a 39 year-old veteran with fifty caps for the Colombian national team, and Zac MacMath, a 19 year-old rookie who garnered All-American recognition last year at Maryland, will battle for the starting job, and the keeper situation already looks much better than it did entering the inaugural season.
4. McInerney's.... Maturation Yes, this point is somewhat redundant, but with a young team it is vital the younger players with the potential for excellence realize it. McInerney was just 17 years old when the Union took him with the 7th overall pick in the 2010 SuperDraft. McInerney only made seventeen appearances last season, but showed flashes of brilliance, netting three goals in just 350 minutes of playing time, including a game-winner against Chivas, one of the Mexican Premier Division's finest clubs. This is not the biggest reason for optimism, however; McInerney has 12 goals in 16 games playing in the United States' national team's U-17 and U-20 teams, showing that he projects as an all-world talent down the road that can help the Union now.
5. Defensive Development The keeper can only do so much; the defense must be in place around him for him to be successful. Last season, the Union's defense would be excellent for 80-85 minutes and then have a collapse that would result in heartbreak. I recall in particular a match with San Jose last season; the Union dominated the game throughout but, because of defensive lapses in extra time of both halves, lost 2-1. As my buddy Alex, who will play collegiately at High Point University next year, noted, consistent effort is difficult but necessary in such a long season. If Piotr Nowak can inspire that effort in the Union this year, we can expect the same, entertaining style of soccer we got last season, but with a lot more success.
By Justin Diaz
Before I start my preview for the Union's second season, I need to give a brief commentary. Last year Major League Soccer presented the Philadelphia fan base a rare opportunity. For the majority of us, we grew up watching the Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Phils. We're die-hard fans. We don't know why, but we just are because that's the way it always has been and that's the way it always will be. We got a new opportunity last year, however. The Union became the MLS' latest expansion franchise, and the most passionate sports city in the world became host to the most popular sport in the world. The Union did not come without their doubters. People said Philly's too much of a blue-collar town and a slow, patient sport like soccer wouldn't work here. People said we'd especially abandon the team after their inevitable slow start; expansion franchises notoriously struggle early on. The doubters could not have been more wrong. The Union sold out every single game, even when we fell into the Eastern Conference cellar. The Union are already beloved here and they will certainly be a Philly stronghold for years to come.
Now that I've given us credit as fans, it's time to look at the team we are going to support this year. We have plenty to be excited about going into this season; a playoff trip is well within reach if the following five things go the Union's way:
1. Let Le Toux Lead the Way There's a reason the Sons of Ben chant Sebastien Le Toux's name on a weekly basis. The man is an All-Star after his first year as a starter, was a blatant snub for the league's MVP (apparently leading the league with 25 points, ahead of second-best Landon Donovan, isn't enough), and plays a Philly kind of game. Beyond the simple love affair that comes with hard-nosed play, this guy is an all-world talent. In MLS, players are either great goal-scorers or great passers. Rarely does somebody combine both aspects, and yet Le Toux does just that. Last season, he was the only player to be in the top five in both goals and assists, proving he has a powerful strike and a soft touch. If the Union are going to make a mark this season, Le Toux has to be the guy to guide the team.
2. Mwanga's Maturation Le Toux didn't enter the season as the Union's most popular player. The Union took Danny Mwanga first overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, and immediately the fans in attendance at the event, held right here in Philly, began chanting his name. In his first season, Mwanga was nothing special, but showed flashes of brilliance, scoring seven goals and adding four assists. His natural talent is plainly evident, and in his sophomore campaign, look for the Congolese striker to continue his ascension and become one of the MLS' elite weapons.
3. Get a Goalie Last year the Union had tribulation at the keeper spot that rivaled that of the infamous Flyers' goaltender sagas. Chris Seitz came into the season with a ton of promise, but let in weak goal after weak goal. Brad Knighton managed to record two shutouts - two more than Seitz - but spent most of the season as Seitz's backup, with the reasoning becoming more and more clear as he earned more starts. Neither of them are back this year. Faryd Mondragon, a 39 year-old veteran with fifty caps for the Colombian national team, and Zac MacMath, a 19 year-old rookie who garnered All-American recognition last year at Maryland, will battle for the starting job, and the keeper situation already looks much better than it did entering the inaugural season.
4. McInerney's.... Maturation Yes, this point is somewhat redundant, but with a young team it is vital the younger players with the potential for excellence realize it. McInerney was just 17 years old when the Union took him with the 7th overall pick in the 2010 SuperDraft. McInerney only made seventeen appearances last season, but showed flashes of brilliance, netting three goals in just 350 minutes of playing time, including a game-winner against Chivas, one of the Mexican Premier Division's finest clubs. This is not the biggest reason for optimism, however; McInerney has 12 goals in 16 games playing in the United States' national team's U-17 and U-20 teams, showing that he projects as an all-world talent down the road that can help the Union now.
5. Defensive Development The keeper can only do so much; the defense must be in place around him for him to be successful. Last season, the Union's defense would be excellent for 80-85 minutes and then have a collapse that would result in heartbreak. I recall in particular a match with San Jose last season; the Union dominated the game throughout but, because of defensive lapses in extra time of both halves, lost 2-1. As my buddy Alex, who will play collegiately at High Point University next year, noted, consistent effort is difficult but necessary in such a long season. If Piotr Nowak can inspire that effort in the Union this year, we can expect the same, entertaining style of soccer we got last season, but with a lot more success.
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