The Boys in Blue take to the Queen City for a midweek clash

As the end of the regular season lurks just around the corner, the Philadelphia Union find themselves trudging through yet another three-game week. After dropping points against top-of-the-table FC Cincinnati, the Boys in Blue look to take all the spoils in a midweek road trip to Charlotte.

A Wednesday away match sandwiched between two home games is never easy, but the pretenses of this match hold extra weight for the U. Between splitting points with Cincy after holding a 2-0 lead, to the MLS Cup rematch looming this weekend, Jim Curtin’s squad has to steer the course and continue pushing toward the top of the table. This is made even more challenging when reflecting on Charlotte FC, a club that gave the Union their worst result of the 2022 season.

A 4-0 loss accompanied by a Kai Wagner red card made for a nightmare match for the Union late last season. Where every point was crucial, dropping all three to Charlotte in the second-to-last match of the season set the Boys in Blue level in points with LAFC, losing the tie-breaker of home wins and ultimately providing LAFC with home-field advantage for the MLS Cup.

We do not need to go there…

When asked about whether the importance of that match will be used for motivation on Wednesday, Curtin explained, “You can still get off all 33 other games… you know, if this happened, if this didn’t happen, but yeah, it was one of our worst performances last season.”

Putting the past behind them, the Union will look to get through their current challenges, with the largest being available players for the match. A red card in the 94th minute for center-back Jack Elliott will suspend him from the midweek matchup, creating a large hole in the U’s backline. Additionally, a crucial piece in Jose Martínez, who scorched the back of the net with a beautiful strike from distance to open the Union’s scoring bank against Cincinnati, is coming off a knock to his back in the same match.

Curtin assured the media that Jose would be ready for Wednesday’s match, claiming, “He’s fully fit and ready to go… he’ll be ready to go for 60 minutes or so on his legs.”

Curtin also discussed the potential of some squad rotation for tonight’s match. There was no direct allusion to what players will feature, but I would keep an eye out for players like Quinn Sullivan, Chris Donovan, Tai Baribo, Olivier Mbaizo, and Joaquin Torres to cameo at Bank of America Stadium tonight.

Coach Curtin expects Charlotte to do the same. However, they sit just three points below the playoff line, needing every point they can grab to continue to contest for the postseason. The recent return of Enzo Copetti from injury, acommpanied by the skillful likes of Karol Swiderski and youngster Ben Bender, provide a strong attack for a club on the cusp of their first ever MLS Playoff appearance.

With a draw against DC United over the weekend, who currently hold the last playoff spot in the East, the road does not get any easier for Charlotte FC. Their next three matches consist of the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, and the New England Revolution, three clubs within the top four of the Eastern Conference. I would expect to see some changes from the usual suspects for Charlotte to keep the legs fresh, but I would not count on a completely rotated squad with only six matches remaining in The Crown’s season.

This match, while overlooked in its importance, will also be a crucial test for the Boys in Blue in their resliency. The result against Cincinnati proved to be one of the most frustrating in its composition, and crucial points were left on the table when they were seemingly in Philly’s grasp last Saturday night. With Eastern Conference margins closer than every regarding the point spread, every match is essential to maintaining home field advantage going into the playoffs.

However, Curtin believes that the fate of the Philadelphia Union remain in their own hands. “We are a team and a club that when we play at our max, we can beat anybody. When we do not, we can get beat by anybody.”

Tonight’s match against Charlotte FC can be streamed for free on Apple TV+ or listened to on 97.5 The Fanatic.