The Union is just about two weeks away from playing their season opener! With just 15 days until the start of the 2022 season, the Union is still getting things in order to be a contender for MLS Cup this year! It’s time to look back on the week that was in the latest edition of Doop Roundup.
Doop Roundup 2/11/2022
Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin gave some important updates on the team in their second-to-last week of preseason. Updates on players, and how their preparing for 2022 specifically stick out. The team also played their second preseason game this past week. Let’s dive into it all!
Where in the World is Mikael Uhre?
Jim Curtin gave the update that new DP striker Mikael Uhre is not with the team yet, as the club is still waiting on the visa process to go through. Curtin mentioned that the club has done all it can on their side, now they are playing a waiting game. Apparently Monday is the earliest day that Uhre could be with the team in Florida. If so it’d be a very happy Valentines day for Union fans as e’d get a two full weeks of training ahead of the season opener.
Curtin also mention that Monteiro and Mbaizo are also not yet back with the team after their time at AFCON. Couple that with Jack Elliot being limited with an apparent low-grade injury means that Philly have four starters not training fully right now. They’ll need them in soon to start to build that chemistry to put their best foot forward as the 2022 season starts.
Throw in specialst helps in training
Another point of note is that throw-in-specialist Thomas Gronnemark worked with the team this week. Gronemark is renowned for his work with Liverpool FC, and seems to be a bit of a hot commodity. The Union were supposed to have him in their training camp last year, but things fell apart, much like the Union’s spats of possession did on their throw ins last year.
Philly had a lot of trouble getting a good advantage to move forward from throw ins last season. They would often lose posession off of their throw ins, which is hopefully why Gronnemark is with the team. While this specialist is know for his ability to execute a long-throw, he will likely also bring the Union new ideas on how to use throw-ins to give them better opportunities to attack in 2022. Philly has said it multiple times now that this year the goal os to get to and win MLS Cup. If they can improve thier throw ins to be more effective, then they will be even more on track to meet their goal.
Union beat Montreal 2-1
The Union did play a preseason game this past week, though it was not streamed so fans were not able to tune in. Philadelphia beat Montreal 2-1 in a preseason scrimmage that went 120 minutes. Cory Burke scored the only goal through 90 minutes as he tapped home a rebound off of a long range strike from Quinn Sullivan.
The game went for another half hour, and Montreal found an equalizer. It looked like the game would end 1-1, but then Paxten Aaronson stepped up. Aaronson hit a ball from outside the box that beat the keeper to the bottom corner of the net. The Union won 2-1 and showed resliancy, something they’ll need a lot of as they get ready for the real games to start in 15 days!
15 days till the start of the 2022 season
We’re in the end game now. The Union have thier final week of preseason this coming week. Will they get the rest of their squad to join them in the sun in Florida? Will they be able to execute better on throw ins? Will they continue to be undefeated in preseason games when they take on Nashville SC on the 18th? We’ll have to wait to find out!
In the mean time, to crave that Doop’in itch, don’t miss out on the latest Doop by the River Podcast! This week we had the whole PSN Union crew together to go over the reason news and notes, as well as breakdown the goalkeepers and defenders on the depth chart.
Give it a watch or a listen below, and Doop on Union fans!
Watch
Listen
Listen to “DOOP By The River Podcast: WE TALKING PRESEASON!!!” on Spreaker.Be sure to come back to Philly Sports Network for more Philadelphia Union and other soccer content!
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Doop on Union fans!
Mandatory Credit: PHILADELPHIA UNION, ANDREW ZWARYCH
