Match Preview: Union ready for ‘just another game’ in Leagues Cup semifinal

“It’s just another game,” Andre Blake explained to the media Monday afternoon, “We just have to focus on ourselves and stick to our game plan.”

A lot of buzz surrounds the Philadelphia Union’s semifinal matchup against Inter Miami, but the message across the locker room remains the same: Stick to the game plan. Block out the noise.

The task remains tall, as Inter Miami brings a lot of noise with them, traveling to Chester on a five-game win streak. In what head coach Jim Curtin described as “one of the greatest transfer windows in league history,” Miami acquired manager Tata Martino, who is no stranger to success in the MLS, and a variety of skill and veteran experience in Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba to mix with the likes of young talents such as Benjamin Cremaschi, Leonardo Campana, and David Ruiz.

The Boys in Blue will look to bring the side to a screeching halt in their Leagues Cup campaign, but this will be no easy feat. The Herons have now scored 17 goals in five matches, dancing with the likes of clubs such as Cruz Azul, FC Dallas and Atlanta United.

When asked how to stop Inter Miami’s momentum, Curtin said, “Margins are tight… if you let a team with the quality of Miami stick around, they will punish you.” Inter Miami also possesses the ball more than any club in the tournament, but Curtin assured that the U are “okay with that,” saying that his squad “has to be a team that is really stable and organized.”

Defensive stability derives from the three-centerback system that Curtin developed for the Union this season. Jakob Glesnes, Jack Elliott, and Damion Lowe are crucial to the squad’s success against an Inter Miami side that can punish opponents so quickly.

The Union’s “Route One” style of play has proven successful throughout the last year and is vital to their success in this semifinal matchup. Mikael Uhre, who struggled to settle into the U’s most recent match against Querétaro, must provide the proper outlet for the Boys in Blue to catch Inter Miami in transition.

Another critical component for the Zolos will be their fans, who have stood behind them throughout the tournament. With an LAFC defeat to Monterrey on the opposite side of the bracket, the Union could host the final if they advance past Miami, bringing a title opportunity right into the heart of Chester.

With multiple close finishes, whether in penalties against D.C. United and New York Red Bulls, or a stoppage time thriller against Querétaro with late heroics from Chris Donovan, the team credits their fans as a catalyst for their success. Blake claimed it was important for the Semifinals, saying, “We will do our best to keep you all in the game, and we will feed off your energy.”

The battle-tested Union side will need the support. While Curtin said Gazdag and Bedoya would return to the lineup from injuries, the concern honed in on forward Julian Carranza. “It was a grade one hamstring strain,” Curtin explained, “he is pushing to be involved… not from the start but maybe later.”

Because of Tai Baribo’s paperwork, he will be unavailable for the remainder of the Leagues Cup, making the return of Carranza essential for the Boys in Blue.

The Leagues Cup Semifinal will prove to be one of the biggest matches in Union history. When asked about the message the team wanted to convey while being on the world stage, Jim Curtin discussed how his squad has embraced the blue-collar and gritty style that remains a homage to Philadelphia, saying, “We’re proud of what this badge has grown to represent… this is an opportunity to get to another final, and we want to lift a trophy for our fans.”

You can catch the match at Subaru Park, on MLS Season Pass, or on the radio at 97.5 The Fanatic.