Union coach Jim Curtin, addressed the fans at the teams open practice last week. He let them know about the three different phases the team has durring preseason. Take a listen here:
Head coach Jim Curtin speaking to fans at open practice on Friday. @PhilaUnion #doop @mls pic.twitter.com/Sue6TUmRj4
— 215pix (@215pix) January 27, 2017
With Phase one complete, the Union’s preseason is in full swing. The players have had a week of training, and are now in Clearwater Florida for phase two. Since most roster moves have been completed in this first phase of the preseason, it’s time to focus on the Union preseason phases two and three. Phases two and three of the Union’s preseason develop the team’s cohesion, and creates chemistry, through preseason games. Let’s take a look at each of the last two phases of the Union’s preseason.
Phase 2:
The Union are already in phase two if the preseason. The pieces are coming together, and now it’s time to test them with game minutes. The Union are going to play three friendly matches in phase two agaisnt DC United, the US Youth National Team, and the Chicago Fire. These three games should take place in the next two weeks, or so, but there are no specific times stated anywhere for these matches.
The Union will get to see what their squad looks like agaisnt opponents. In the past the Union have done well, and have also looked really poor in these types of games. These matches are all about shaking the rust off, so a good result really doesn’t matter in these matches. These games sometimes aren’t streamed online, so there may not be a way to watch them. However, at least there will be news on how players shake the rust off in real game situations coming soon! Phase three is where the games start to get more intense as they are close to the start of the regular season.
Phase 3:
Jim said that in phase three of the Union’s preseason will be filled with four quality opponents. Three of them are in an invitational tournament hosted by the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Suncoast invitational is a tournament where the USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies hosts some MLS sides in preseason matches. In this invitational the Union play Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday Feb. 18th 7:30 PM, Montreal Wednesday Feb 22nd 7PM and DC United Saturday Feb 25th 5PM. All of these games should be streamed somewhere, so it will give all you fans something to look forward too closer to the season.
Curtin also mentioned another game in phase three against Orlando, which is not a part of the Suncoast invitational. The Union could use all the preseason games they can get to build up chemistry to take into their new season, another game against another MLS side will benefit them greatly!
The Union’s preseason is broken down nicely into different phases. The first phase is done. the second phase starts now, and will give us a first glimpse at how the Union will play in 2017. Phase three ends preseason with the Suncoast invitational, and pits the Union agaisnt quality opponents close to the season. This is a time to enjoy the growing pains, and get a first look at this new squad!
Be sure to come back to Philly Sports Network for previews of the upcoming preseason games, along with analyses of them! Until then peace out Union fans!
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
