Upcoming Union Season
Billy Myers/ Olde City Sports Network
Now that 2024 is here and the taste of the way the 2023 season ended for the Philadelphia Union is gone, I want to try and believe that 2024 isn’t going to end in a similar fashion. At least that’s what my goal is for this season. To “believe” more. Like Ted Lasso. Maybe I should get one of those iconic posters from the hit show to help remind myself as I walk out my front door on the way to all the home games this season to just “believe”. That can be hard to do with this team sometimes though, right? This year I think things will be different. Before I search on Amazon for one of those posters, I want to share some of my thoughts about this upcoming season for this Philadelphia Union team.
The Union played in over 50 plus games in 2023 between MLS play and other tournaments. Are they going to be playing in 50 plus games again in 2024? That's a lot of games and a lot of traveling especially to be doing that in back to back seasons. February 20th is game 1 of CONCACAF Champions Cup, away against a familiar opponent, Deportiva Saprissa. The Union dominated Deportiva Saprissa in the Round of 16, 5-0 when they played each other in 2021. Not long after, the boys in blue will kick off their 2024 season at home against Chicago Fire FC on February 24th. The Union played Chicago to a 1-0 win and a 2-2 tie in 2023. Then they turnaround and play game 2 of Champions Cup February 27th at home. Kicking the season off with 3 games in a week is one way to get those legs ready for this season. Let’s hope Curtin has a better plan this season for what looks like will be another season of playing 50 plus games.
Which leads me into my next thought. Who is coming into this season healthy, in shape and ready to play. A good portion of MLS teams, not just the Union, are going to be playing this many games, so trust me when I say that substitutions will be key. I’d really love to see Curtin switch things up a little this season by giving some meaningful minutes to Baribo, Torres, and Rafenello. Sullivan I feel took a huge step forward last season and will be a key piece to fill in as a starter at times this season. Donovan got paid this off season and is going to be held to a higher standard and expected to step up his level of play. Can he? I’m going to “believe” he does and ride on the side of optimism here. Or maybe, just maybe the Union front office will sign someone before the season starts to play a key piece this season.
One of my last thoughts for this upcoming MLS season is that I’m curious as to what is at the top of the Union’s priority list. I 100% “believe” this team should be competitive in all of the tournaments they play in and will be a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs. What is the Unions top priority this season though. Is MLS Cup the top of the list? I’d hope so. Is it going to be gunning for the Supporter Shield? Again, I’d hope so. Is it Leagues Cup or Champions Cup? It’s for sure not going to be the US Open Cup. This team needs to walk away from this season having lifted up at least one of these cups for the fans to “believe” this teams future isn’t headed in the wrong direction.
One thing I know is that each season is different. I’m going to stick with my 2024 resolution for this season and “believe” that this year’s Philadelphia Union ending will be different and end with our boys in blue hoisting up the cup. Believe me when I say this though. I’ve missed the tailgates with family and friends. The electric vibes and atmosphere of the breathtaking Subaru Park. Singing the chants obnoxiously loud and screaming “DOOP” over and over after every goal. February 20th can’t get here soon enough.
-Steven Fuentes/ Olde City Sports Network