This is the first positional segment of our 2016 season preview series. This week, PhiladephiaUnion.com started with player previews of Maurice Edu and Tranquillo Barnetta. Next week, we’ll continue with individual defenders and an ensuing positional breakdown. The final week of February will be divided by wingers/attackers and the goalkeepers.
Assuming the Union stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation – which has been the case for the majority of Jim Curtin’s coaching career, as well so far this preseason – we’re going to split wingers from our conversation about the club’s midfield. So today, we’re strictly talking about what the club has centrally, at the No. 6, 8 and 10.
Last year, these three positions were mostly filled by Brian Carroll (21 starts), Vincent Nogueira (22) and Cristian Maidana (25), at the 6, 8 and 10, respectively. Michael Lahoud (14) and Maurice Edu (4, before his move to the defense) filled in at the holding spots, while Zach Pfeffer (11) and Tranquillo Barnetta (9) filled in at the 10, in addition to getting starts out wide.
Some of that group, a total of 50 starts, has moved on. What we know – or can at least expect – is a return to the midfield for Edu. Coming off season-ending surgery, the captain looks like he’ll be ready to go come March 6, but Curtin and Edu himself are both preaching patience ahead of the long MLS season.
Elsewhere, Barnetta and the newly-acquired Roland Alberg (a pair of players the club used targeted allocation money to sign) are simply too talented to be used as depth pieces. It’s very likely one of the two will move to the wing or slot back into more of a holding role should Edu not be ready to go. We saw this in the club’s preseason opener against Jacksonville with Alberg starting alongside Nogueira at the holding spots.
Projected Starters
CM) Maurice Edu (22 GP, 22 GS, 1G, 1A, 78.9 percent passing): When he’s fully fit, he’ll be right in the middle of the field. It looks like Curtin is confident in his new group of defenders and barring an injury crisis, Mo’ certainly looks destined for the midfield.
CM) Vincent Nogueira (27 GP, 22 GS, 5G, 0A, 86.6 passing): In a lot of ways, Nogueira is the team’s most valuable player. The better he plays, the more dynamic the Union typically are in possession. Some fond examples include both of his performance at Red Bull Arena (May 24 and the Open Cup quarterfinals), as well as the July 11 match vs. Portland. Staying healthy, as always, will be vital. His midfield relationship with Edu will also be important, as strange enough, the two haven’t been paired together all that often over the last two years.
AM) Tranquillo Barnetta (11 GP, 9 GS, 1G, 3A, 75.5 passing): More should be expected of the Swiss international this season, and while he might not be in this central attacking role all of the time, it seems like a wise thought to pencil him in for the time being. Expect Alberg to get plenty of minutes here as well, and between the two, the Union won’t miss a beat from the departed Maidana.
Reserves
Roland Alberg (13 GP, 8 GS, 1G, 1A, 81.1 passing for ADO Den Haag): Alberg won’t be a reserve. But, the question remains is where, exactly, Curtin will plug him in. On paper, it’s hard to see him pushing any of the above three out of the lineup. Thus, it’s possible he moves he’s out wide, but more probable that he ultimately winds up at the 10, with Barnetta out wide in place of either Chris Pontius or Sebastien Le Toux. Certainly, Alberg could also see time at the 8, alongside either Nogueira or Edu. That should instill some confidence in Curtin (and Union fans) as the depth and quality of this year’s midfield is probably as good as it’s ever been. As for Alberg, he’s already shown a real commitment to move without the ball and get into the box; something Union fans have probably been looking for out of the midfield.
Leo Fernandes (27 GP, 22 GS, 8G, 3A for New York Cosmos): Fernandes spent the 2015 year on loan and ended up nabbing NASL’s Young Player of the Year award. He returns to a crowded midfield, but has the versatility to play quite a few positions – something that feels like a trend for Stewart and Curtin. He picked up a preseason start at the 8 against Chicago Fire and he should be counted on to fill in there and at the 10, as well as on the wing. He started seven games and scored two goals back in 2014 for the U.
Brian Carroll (22 GP, 21 GS, 0G, 0A, 85.0 passing): Hard to find a more consummate professional than the 13-year veteran. While he’s taken a back seat in each of the last two years, he’s proved to be more than prepared to be thrust into a starter’s role each season. After Edu’s move to the back line in 2015, Carroll started 16 games in a row and 19 of 21. That helped him move to fourth all-time in MLS history with 322 games started. Expect him to compete with Creavalle for the backup spot at the 6, and for him to be in Curtin’s plans to clean up games late.
Warren Creavalle (17 GP, 9 GS, 1G 0A combined with Toronto FC): Acquired mid-year in exchange for a 2016 second round pick, the Union re-signed the 25-year-old midfielder for some depth thanks to his athleticism and versatility. Curtin seems to prefer him in the midfield, but he has played both fullback positions in his career and could serve as emergency on both sides. With Michael Lahoud out on loan, Creavalle should more time in the central midfield and compete with Carroll for a backup role.
This is the third installment of the 2016 Philadelphia Union season preview. All month at PhiladelphiaUnion.com, we'll be breaking down what lies ahead with the season less than one month away. What's on your mind regarding the Union's central midfield this year?
