Union Presser Notes: Jim Curtin on Injuries, Tai Baribo, International Call-Ups, and facing Toronto

After a 3-1 win on the road in DC, Union fans are riding that high from the weekend into a mid-week matchup against Toronto FC. Saturday night’s performance was the perfect way to kick off the final stretch of the season. Head Coach Jim Curtin knows a significant result in DC means nothing if the Union doesn’t keep it going in Toronto. Here’s what Jim Curtin had to say in his press conference ahead of Wednesday’s meeting.

To start off the press conference, Jim does what he always does – thanks the Union fans for their unwavering support. There was quite the traveling crowd down in DC, and it certainly helped the boys in blue feel at home in Audi Field.

Next, Jim made sure to thank the Union players for their hard work in training as things have gotten a little hectic with the new WSFS training complex construction well underway, saying the field has gotten smaller and more compact, all while battling soreness from a congested schedule.

“A big thank you to the players for pushing through and not complaining about it too much and, I apologize for that right now.”
Jim Curtin: August 29, 2023

Jim Curtin was then asked about newly acquired forward Tai Baribo, who’s only seen literal seconds on the field for Union so far. Fans have been very vocal about calling for Baribo to get some minutes, but Curtin says he’s just not there yet and it’s going to take some time:

“Tai is still in preseason(metaphorically) so he’s again like I talked about before building fitness, getting used to this new team, getting used to us and the new culture, a new city, and a town – so again it’s gonna take time, that’s kind of where we’re at on that”
Jim Curtin: August 29, 2023

Turning the attention from one Union player to another, Jim was next asked about Jesus Bueno and his first call-up to the Venezuelan National Team for the first time:

“Jesus for the first time getting called into Venezuela is a big honor. It’s an example, I said it to the group of a guy that had some decisions go against them early – In the time you’re in Philadelphia, work really hard, get better as a player, became more fit and Jesus got his opportunity and ran with it. The game is hard. It’s hard to make it as a starter in this league, it’s very hard to get into our starting lineup as a player. So when guys get the opportunities, It’s important for them to step up. Jesus is a great example of a kid that has really put his head down and worked. He’s been a real professional, pushes guys in training even when he wasn’t called upon to start, a great teammate and now he’s getting his reward not just from us with minutes but also now with the Venezuelan national team Which is the ultimate honor for him to represent his country, and it’s a good example that your development happens at all ages, and at all times during the career, and if you do the right things, this game tells the truth more times than not – all the time actually.”
Jim Curtin: August 29, 2023

The focus was then turned to Union’s next opponent in Toronto, and how they’d keep focused on getting a result:

“Look. they still play some good soccer for stretches of games and can really hurt you if you’re not not prepared, so we are not going to overlook Toronto. We have to be on our game in this league. Anybody can be here if you’re not prepared, that’s been a message to the group over and over again. We respect Toronto a great deal they still have incredible players, a good team that’s gonna be very tough to break down. but if we play our way we know we will create chances in the course in 90 minutes. We need to be stable defensively.”
Jim Curtin: August 29, 2023

Jim Curtin was then asked about the fitness of Union forward Juliana Carranza and how he got along during the DC game:

“Yes, absolutely no issues with the injury and I thought he looked pretty good, probably deserve to score, but overall a typical Julian performance. A guy that set the high line for us, does so much for pressuring, and had a good assistant. A great player and a guy that is very important to our group, so yeah no no problem with him. He’s young, he can turn around quick and go again against Toronto for sure.”
Jim Curtin: August 29, 2023

Next Jim was asked about a unique situation in which Toronto had named their new head coach, but won’t be around for Wednesday’s game against the Union:

“Yeah anytime there’s a managerial change like I said, Herman will be assessing things from afar so players will be motivated like always, playing for positions in the future for next season so it’s going to be a really tough task but you’re right it’s a bit unique because he won’t be there, so again if the new one at the same time we know we have to play our way, play the right way”
Jim Curtin: August 29, 2023

To round out the availability for tomorrow, Jim gave insight on any injuries in the Union squad:

“Everybody’s fit and ready to go. Jose, fortunately, wasn’t serious on the injury, he made a good long run to set up the second goal and then it just didn’t feel quite right, but hasn’t had any pain from then. So yeah for sure we’ve done a good job staying healthy this year, knock on wood, the cohesiveness of the group is really important.”
Jim Curtin: August 29, 2023

To finish up the press conference, Jim was asked about how Quinn Sullivan could find more minutes in this Union team:

“Yeah so I had a good conversation with Quinn the other day in the office, it’s about finding what spot is best for him this year, we’ve asked jim to play higher up the field as a second striker in really good moments and made some big plays, and then he’s had some worries, it’s not lack of work rate. He’s still a young player and then I say, with all young players they judge a 90 minutes every game, they think it’s bad season((if they don’t play well for 90 minutes every game) ) so I still see a lot of positives for Quinn and what he is doing for us. He will do anything to help the team he’s one of the best players in training, but now it’s about doing it when it’s 1-on-1 and in bigger spaces, and he’s had moments where he does that really well, so he’ll get opportunities down the stretch”
Jim Curtin: August 29, 2023