Philadelphia Union, 2023 Review and 2024 Outlook
Post Game Coach
Saturday, November 25, 2023, 10:30pm ET.
The Philly Union just took a very disappointing L to FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference SemiFinals for the MLS Cup.
It was a 0-1 loss with the goal coming in the 93rd or 94th minute. The goal should have been called back for offside. The announcers said this multiple times. But that’s a whole separate rant.
Now… everyone knows it’s super easy to be a back-seat driver, or Monday morning quarterback. I know some people hate it. I know I do.
But, I also like to pretend that I’m a pro soccer coach. And that’s what I’m gonna do here!
As the pretend head coach of the Union, here’s a few things I woulda done differently in the game against FC Cincinnati.
First:
I wouldn’t have started Bedoya. I know he is loved by the Union. But, I think there’s players on the bench who contribute more on the field.
If he’s a great leader and that’s why he needs to be there. Great. Totally get that. He can do that from the bench.
Based on the previous two games, I would have started Quinn Sullivan instead. More on this below, but he had an impact on the last two games and brings a great energy to the field. He’s hungry. He was playing like he had a point to prove.
Second:
In a case where Bedoya starts though, I would have subbed Quinn in early in the 2nd half.
Quinn brings something unique to the Union.
Most of the time the Union’s style of play is trying to connect a few passes then looking for a ball behind the back line. Quinn goes at the defense. Quick and confident 1v1 on the dribble. You need one or two players who can do that.
He’s crafty and fearless. As I mentioned above, he created some good opportunities in the two prior playoff games.
And the Union’s offense in the Cincy game was dead. Nothing was happening up top. Quinn would have shifted the dynamic and energy.
My guess is that Quinn either scores, assists, or is the cause of a goal scoring opportunity if he is subbed on in the second half.
Third:
I wouldn’t take McGlynn off the field. To be honest, he seems to be undervalued at the Union.
It’s obvious that McGlynn was the biggest opportunity creator on the team last year. He plays super simple. But he almost does it to perfection.
And he is the best at threading the needle and playing the perfect pass to create goal scoring opportunities.
Not to compare him to Beckham in the day, but McGlynn’s ability to place a ball anywhere he wants reminds me of what made it so much fun to watch Beckham.
The passing. Rarely is there a player that makes you want to YouTube, “PlayerName passes”. Beckham is an example of one. McGlynn reminds me of that.
You saw this in the Union highlight reels on social. A few times it was just absolute dimes from McGlynn.
His future is bright. As a Union fan, I’m glad McGlynn will be here for the 2024 season.
As a McGlynn fan, I have to believe there’s bigger opportunities for him outside the MLS.
Fourth:
Dealing with the Martinez injury. I don’t understand the Bueno sub. This is when I would have subbed Quinn in (if he wasn’t starting).
Or, in my version where Quinn starts, this is maybe when I think about putting someone like Bedoya in.
When Martinez was on the field, he and McGlynn were controlling the mid well. They were playing well off each other. Quick passes and quick movement. Usually a few short 1-2s, then they find a long ball to switch fields or try to put someone in behind.
When Martinez went out, the momentum of the game and control in the midfield shifted.
Fifth:
Changing the attack.
That night was Caranzza’s first game back in a little while. Usually when that happens you don’t go right back into the starting 11. Especially in a playoff game. And when the team is having success offensively without him.
I would have subbed him on in the 2nd half.
Other thoughts.
Overall I think the Union defense played very well. Especially since two of the starters were out. They kept the Cincy top 3 to only 1 late goal, which is no easy task. And they largely shut down the league MVP, Acosta.
The yellow card on Lowe was complete bullshit. That was a strong tackle. The replay showed he got 100% of the ball and Acosta got there late and suffered the consequences.
Again, this was a disappointing loss. It’s the 2nd time the Union should have beat Cincy and blew it in the 2nd half.
With the few personnel changes mentioned above, to either start the game or subs in the 2nd half, I think the Union open up the game more and come out on top.
That being said, with the quick blink of an eye we are underway with the 2024 season.
Here’s what I’d like to see from the Union in 2024.
Everything should run through McGlynn and Martinez. They will be a key part to the midfield this year. And a key part to the Union’s success. Maybe get Martinez some anger management classes :)
It’s time to move on from Bedoya. Over the years he was great for the Union. He will likely be a name here forever. But it’s time to move on.
Invest in Lowe and Harriel. They have a lot of potential.
Consider a change up with Caranzza and Uhre. That combo just wasn’t it last year.
Invest in Quinn. He could be a difference maker.
Keep the possession and passing style, but find one or two players who are capable of going at defenders 1v1. Having that type of threat will create more opportunities for the through ball the Union always look for.
There’s the coaching take that no one asked for.
All love.
p.s. The 2023 season was my first year as a season ticket holder. Here’s the view from my seats.
Cool story about these seats. I wanted season tickets to the Union for a few years, but never did it because I was still a bootstrapped entrepreneur (I still am!). In 2022 I made a vision board of things I wanted to come to fruition. The board is hung up right in front of me where I work everyday. A year later, my season tickets are pretty much at the exact same spot the picture of the Union stadium was taken that I have on my vision board.