Harriel to start at center back, Blake and Danley questionable for NYCFC

Nathan Harriel will get the nod at center back with Jack Elliott serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation and the status of Andre Blake and Danley Jean Jacques remains a question heading into the midweek match in the Bronx.

Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin said Tuesday that Harriel, a right back, would step in for Elliott. Since the sale of Damion Lowe to Saudi Arabia, the Union have been without a bonafide third choice option at center back. South African center back Olwethu Makhanya, 20, has logged more than 1,600 minutes in MLS Next Pro this season but still awaits his MLS debut.

“Nathan’s going to be the the guy that starts the game while Makhanya can come off the bench if we need Him, we trust him to use him as well,” Curtin said.

Blake, who missed the game Saturday in Miami, and Danley, who played 8 minuts as a sub but is still nursing a sore ankle, are both question marks.

“Andre and Danley are kind of both in the same ballpark where they’ll be day to day,” Curtin said. “Dre has been at least out on the field now the past couple days, which is encouraging and Danley has as well. We’ll have to make a decision on them.”

The depth of the team is certainly going to be tested in the final stretch of six games, where the urgency will be much greater than it’s been for the Union in some time. The Union clinched a playoff berth on September 20 last year with six games left and on August 31 in 2022 with 5 games left.

“We have to recognize the urgency and the fact that we’re running out of games to execute,” Curtin said. “So when we go on the road against a strong New York City team, a team that we have obviously a good history with and intense games and playoff games, we have to be at our very best.”

Wednesday’s match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass.