Doop Roundup 3/11/22: A legend retires; next one rising

It’s the end of another long week! It’s almost time to Doop, but before we do, we should look back on all things doop from this past week! That’s exactly what we do in the latest edition of Doop Roundup 3/11/22.

Doop Roundup 3/11/22

As far as the club goes, the Philadelphia Union is just getting into the swing of things in their 2022 season. Taking four points from two matches is a good start, and the team looks to get three more points this weekend as they host San Jose. While the club prepares for their third game of the season, there was some off-the-field news of note from this past week.

Ilsinho Retires

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Brazilian wizard Ilsinho announced his retirement from football this past Wednesday. While he has not been with the team at all in 2022, the news brought up some emotion for Union fans. Ilsinho was one of the best-attacking players the Union had from 2016 until 2021. In those six years, Ilsinho became a club legend notching over 20 goals and 20 assists in his time in Philadehlipa.

His most utilized position was that as a super-sub winger that came on and completely changed how the Union attacked tired defenses. It was a tactic that greatly paid off in 2019 as the club was rising from a bottom dweller to a playoff mainstay. Who could forget what is branded as the Ilsinho game, a 3-2 win over New York Red Bulls.

Always lives in Union lore 🔥

Where were you for The Ilsinho Game?? pic.twitter.com/dogZZFLsHy
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) March 9, 2022

If he’s remembered at the club it should be for his game-changing quick feet and his never-ceasing smile. Whether he was a starter or a substitute, the influence Ilsinho brought to the Union was massive. We’ll have to see if he brings those talents and knowledge to the Union academy as some of his fellow countrymen have before him. Now that the legend of Ilsinho is over, another chapter may just be beginning.

Uhre Ready to ball out

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Mikael Uhre could be set to make his starting XI debut for the Union this coming Saturday against San Jose. The weather is set to be cold and rainy, so it begs the question of if Uhre can do it on a cold and wet night in Chester, PA.

Jim Curtin would not say in his press conference if Uhre would start or have another substitute appearance, but the gaffer did say that he is acclimating very well to the Union so far. Uhre had two opportunities to score in Montreal on his debut substitute appearance but missed both. It’s not unlikely to think if he has more time on the pitch Saturday, and makes the same runs, that his name could be seen on the score sheet.

Could Saturday be the coming-out party for the next Union legend? We’ll have to wait and see, but a few of us at Philly Sports Network think this is the game we see Uhre score his first Union goal, and maybe a few more!

Curtin’s presser notes

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Jim Curtin also took time in his press conference this week to praise his team on the ability to go on the road and get three points. The Union now are getting their squad’s fitness up now, and the team is raring to go to keep the good run of form going. With this comes competition for positions.

Curtin praised the efforts of homegrown right-back Nathan Harriel. Harriel came in and played well at Montreal, and seems to have the confidence of the manager heading forward. Curtin alluded to there being competition in the squad at every position. With this players will be nipping at the heals of the starters trying to get their shot at playing time.

Could this mean we see more rotation from Curtin in 2022? If his players are pushing one another, there’s no reason that a poor performance in a match is tolerated. We’ve seen that with Harriel getting the start over Mbaizo, will we see it in other spots on the field too?

A Doop by the River Doubleheader

To get you even more ready for this week, be sure to check out Philly Sports Network Articles linked above! If you’re in the mood to watch and listen to all things Union, be sure to check out this week’s doubleheader of Doop by the River. The boys recapped the win at Montreal and previewed the clash with San Jose in one episode, and also had a chat with the Union’s play-by-play announcer, former Premier League player Danny Higginbotham. Don’t miss these two great episodes!

Watch: San Jose Preview