Photo: Paul Rudderow

Five thoughts on Philadelphia Union.

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Some perspective on the Union’s cup loss

If we had told you in March that Philadelphia Union would make the playoffs and the U.S. Open Cup final and deploy one of the league’s most entertaining teams, would you have taken it?

Consider that question as you evaluate the Union’s recent performances, including their failure in the U.S. Open Cup.

The Union’s fatal vulnerability: Bunker and counter teams

The Union have lost just three times since July 22. All three losses came against teams – Portland, Montreal and Houston – whose primary strategy is to sit deep, bunker, and counterattack. Two of those saw the Union’s center midfield affected by key absences (Portland: Bedoya, Medunjanin) or key players playing hurt (Houston: Dockal).

A pattern has clearly emerged: The Union have trouble breaking those teams down, and they can get killed in transition on the counterattack.

New England head coach Brad Friedel highlighted the double-sided blade at halftime of the Union’s 3-2 win over New England in August, when he said, “The midfield three are amongst the best in the league at passing but among the worst at recovering the ball.”

For all their strengths in possession, this is a defensive vulnerability in transition that teams have learned to exploit, particularly given that the Union like to play a high back line with Haris Medunjanin in the No. 6 role. How many times have we seen these teams one on one in the open field against Union defenders without a No. 6 there to help?

A potential solution against countering teams

One solution is obviously to sit Medunjanin against such teams, replacing him with Warren Creavalle or Derrick Jones, but a drawback is the Union would lose a lot in terms of distribution and ball control.

There’s another option that takes less away from midfield:

Start Mark McKenzie against those teams.

McKenzie and Jack Elliott have different strengths and weaknesses. Elliott is a better long ball passer, stronger in the air, and a threat on set pieces, but speed is not his forte. McKenzie covers much more ground and is a better open field defender. Both have played well most of the year.

Union head coach Jim Curtin has demonstrated he doesn’t like to rotate his center backs, and there’s a lot to be said for chemistry among the duo. But the Union’s central defense has shown few problems related to that. Whether it’s been McKenzie or Elliott pairing with Auston Trusty, the pair is usually on the same page.

And Curtin isn’t as stubborn as he used to be.

All that said, let’s note: The Union may not play another team whose primary go-to strategy, even on their best days, is to bunker and counter. Montreal may miss the playoffs, Houston is out, and Portland is on the other side of the bracket. Is there another club in MLS who prefers that, beside these three? You may see someone try it, but nobody else out there really prefers it.

Third place in reach

The Union still have a puncher’s shot at third place. Look at the remaining schedule for the contenders. (Their number of points in the standings are in parentheses.)

NYC FC (53) Columbus (48) Philadelphia (47) Montreal (40) D.C. (38) at D.C. at Montreal vs. Minnesota vs. Columbus vs. Chicago vs. Philadelphia at Orlando vs. NY Red Bulls vs. Toronto vs. Dallas vs. Minnesota at NYC FC at New England vs. Toronto vs. NYC FC at Chicago

Some factors to consider:

NYC FC has been largely in freefall since Patrick Vieira left the club, and they have just two games left, one at smoking hot D.C. United, the second a classic six-pointer against the Union on the last day of the regular season.

Two of the Union’s last three are at home, the outlier being a visit to Yankee Stadium to play NYC. They also have to play the Red Bulls though.

Columbus has two of their final three on the road, but all three games are against teams likely to miss the playoffs.

The Union could also still miss the playoffs. They have yet to clinch. A Union win or a Montreal loss this week would secure their playoff spot.

A note on Jim Curtin’s job security

As expected, because this is Philadelphia, some Union fans called for Curtin’s head after the Union’s U.S. Open Cup loss.

That call should wait until season’s end. Should the Union collapse and miss the playoffs, maybe that’s a fair discussion to have.

A year ago, it was a fair discussion. Five months ago, it was a fair discussion.

Right now, however, it’s ludicrous. Consider the following.

The Union have been one of the league’s better clubs since mid-May.

They are playing exactly the sort of stylish soccer every fan loves to see, and they’re winning far more often than they lose.

Young players have cracked the lineup and earned their places.

He’s winning games with a starting striker on the league minimum salary.

And with a legitimate playmaker in the lineup, we’ve seen that the Union can play with anyone. Imagine if Borek Dockal had arrived in January instead of March.

After last season, I was among those who said that no, Curtin’s performance had not justified a return to the club. He got the nod just the same.

Should the Union finish the season as they’ve played the last five months, then Curtin absolutely deserves his job. Reports say his contract expires at year’s end. The Union should extend his contract by a year. (Not three years. One year.) Whatever faults Curtin has, the hometown guy is making good and has even forced his way into the Coach of the Year discussion.

Barring a collapse, another year under Curtin should be a no-brainer.