Jose Martinez will be available for Toronto FC match on Saturday

Philadelphia Union midfielder Jose Martinez will be available for selection on Saturday, head coach Jim Curtin said on Thursday.

Martinez has been in a league-mandated quarantine period and working to the side of the full team since returning from time with the Venezuela national team.

“You see him on the field and he looks sharp and like he hasn’t missed a beat so hopefully he’ll be able to jump in and contribute in a big way, either as a starter or off the bench,” Curtin said.

Martinez returning will give Curtin a first choice lineup against first place Toronto FC with reserves Matt Real and Warren Creavalle the only players currently injured. Jamiro Monteiro will be on yellow card caution after picking up a yellow on Monday night against New England.

The Union went unbeaten in the four games Martinez missed outscoring opponents 9-4. Jack Elliott, Alejandro Bedoya, Bedoya/Creavalle and Bedoya/Monteiro started as holding midfielders in his absence.

“We’re better when he’s on the field,” Curtin said.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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