Union will be without 4 starters thanks to Gold Cup callups

Over the years, the Philadelphia Union has dealt with players going on international duty in the summer months. This is especially true in years when the Concacaf Gold Cup takes place. This year, Philly will lose four starters, possibly for about a month’s worth of time. Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel (USA), Danley Jean Jacques (Haiti), and Andre Blake (Jamaica) will all be representing their nations at this summer’s Gold Cup.

Union, MLS — Image Credit: Philadelphia Union

Crucial Union players at the Gold Cup

Philly will be without four starters for what could be four matches. The club is one of the top teams in MLS, and the last thing they need is a dip in form right after the midway point of the season. Losing two midfielders, an outside back turned center back this year, and a goalkeeper in the team’s 4-2-2-2 setup, while playing a breakneck pressing style, could cause concern.

Head Coach Bradley Carnell has his work cut out for him. He must find the right players to be the “next men up.” If he does, this team can stay competitive and be one of the top teams in MLS. A failure to do so could see a disastrous fall from the top spot in the East. Let’s look at the games that the Gold Cup four will miss, and who might be the likely players to step into their vacant roles.

Possible missed matches

While the USMNT isn’t looking at its best, they will still be tasked with making it to the July 6th final (yes, I understand how irrational that sounds right now). That would mean Sullivan and Harriel would miss four matches for Philadelphia. Danley for Haiti and Blake for Jamaica will have their work cut out for them, so they can get out of their groups. They would likely miss just two matches in this stretch if they get grouped. Here are the four Philly matches going on during the Gold Cup.

Union vs Charlotte FC | Saturday, June 14
Union @ Chicago Fire FC | Wednesday, June 25
Union @ Columbus Crew SC | Sunday, June 29
Union @ Nashville SC | Saturday, July 5

This stretch is significant for Philadelphia. Four matches, all against Eastern Conference opponents, three in a row on the road as the dog days of summer heat up after a tough home match. So, who can step up for Philly against good opponents in a crucial run of matches?

Who can step up?

We will need to see more starters next to the field players on international duty. Indiana Vassilev needs to hold down the attacking midfield, Jovan Lukic needs to be a great two-way player in the middle of the park, and Jakob Glesnes needs to be the rock at center back he’s been in the past. As for the Goalkeeper spot, we’ve seen Andrew Rick come in and play well when Andre Blake has been injured. He will be called upon to be a brick wall. We know these players will be playing, but who will come in and help stabilize this Philly team?

Players like Ben Bender, Jesus Bueno, and Olwethu Makanya are the most likely to fill the starting roles left by the field players off at the Gold Cup. These are the next guys up, but there will likely be opportunities for other players to displace them; the most likely area that could happen would be in attacking midfield. Is this the time Cavan Sullivan can get a start or two, or can Jeremy Rafanello be trusted with more minutes?

The younger, hungrier players have opportunities to get time, but who will take that opportunity, and will it be over a two-game stretch or a four-game one? One thing is sure: Philadelphia will have to play at the top of its game without four pivotal players off at the Gold Cup. Let’s see how Carnell and the boys in blue step up to this moment, which could prove to be decisive in the race for the top spot in the East and for the Supporters’ Shield.