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Fragile Union reach new lows in Toronto

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Andrew Rick putting a ball back in play during Toronto FC Game (July 13, 2024)
Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union failed to close out another match Saturday night against Toronto FC on the road and extended their winless streak to a club-record long of 10 straight. They tallied the first goal of the match and were the better team for much of the first 45 minutes of the match. And then a team that has been routinely labeled as ‘fragile’ lately by their head coach Jim Curtin, broke down and instantly combusted after 70 minutes of play.

The fragility of this Union team has reached a new peak. It’s an ailment that is not common for this group and their fanbase. But it has proven difficult to shake.

The only cure for this… really comes down to us finding a way to grind out a win,” said Curtin Saturday night. 

But when exactly will that moment actually come to fruition? The club has not won a match since May 18th. Last month, they picked up just one point in 5 matches and have recently blown second half leads four of their last five contests.

They seem far from a win.

“We are very fragile, which is very uncharacteristic of this group,” said Curtin. “It hurts.”

The Union were once again without their starting goalkeeper in Andre Blake. 18-year rookie Andrew Rick made the start compiling two saves and escaped the match without any blunders. Both goals scored by Toronto were not due to Rick errors. Jose Martinez, a key starter, continues to be missing in action, with no real information being provided as to his whereabouts or when he is expected to return to action. And international duty continues to plague the team with two additional starters absent from the lineup in midfielder Jack McGlynn and right back Nate Harriel.

And of course, we know all too well about the club’s reluctance or inability to supply Curtin with enough quality off the bench to truly compete this season.

But the more glaring issue is the way in which this team continues to fold and die late in games.

“We haven’t been able to make the little plays to get us over the hump,” said Curtin. “It is unacceptable how many games we haven’t been able to find a way to win. And the way that we’ve done it has been really disappointing. It goes from us being in control to being completely out of control and picking the ball out of the back of our own net.”

Curtin alluded to his team’s inability to bend without breaking. Saturday night, they broke down immediately following a double substitution from Toronto which helped them create more chances in their attacking end.

That bit of pressure was just enough to force a bundle of mental errors and two goals for Toronto.

An own goal in the 74th minute was the result of careless defending by both Olivier Mbaizo and Jakob Glesnes. Mbaizo was left in no man’s land which allowed Jahkeele Marshall all alone at the back post. Marshall played a headed pass back toward the face of goal which Elliott inadvertently knocked into the net while sliding back to try and break up the play. Glesnes was caught in the middle of the action and failed to get a piece of the centering pass.

And then instead of bending a bit and bouncing back to find a way to scrap and claw for a road draw and a much needed point in the standings, the Union broke down completely just four minutes later.

This time, a mental error from Elliott created the chaos. Elliott attempted an ill-advised ground pass straight up the field while attempting to build out of the back. His pass was immediately intercepted and within just four touches from Toronto, Deandre Kerr blasted a shot into the net leaving Rick with no chance at a save.

The compounding mistakes and inability to find insurance goals has been a recipe for disaster. Those mistakes and mental lapses occur during a 35 game season. But the main issue this season is a glaringly obvious sense of helplessness that has fallen over the club. A team that cannot learn from its mistakes and improve is destined for tough sledding.

Philadelphia has another chance to turn things around or at least put an end to the bleeding Wednesday night at home against New England Revolution. Will they remain fragile or find a way to galvanize themselves into a stronger unit in front of their home fans? Who knows…

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