Curtin, Vermes push for points in big early season showdown

Union host Sporting KC on Saturday with the action exclusively on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app!

Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City are both without points in their last two matches, but make no mistake — these are two clubs that have eyes on a MLS Cup run. Each will hit top gear at some point in the season but thus far injuries to top players and an inability to prevent goals at key times in the match have derailed their starts. 

For Sporting KC, there are three major issues: First, their big names can’t get healthy — Alan Pulido had 8 goals in 15 starts back in 2021, which was a long time ago for a DP’s last contribution — and DP midfielder Gadi Kinda hasn’t been able to stay healthy or take over games when on the pitch.  

Second, and related, they can’t score goals. Two goals in five games is a wildly low number for a club that is even with the Union at the top of MLS with 76 shots created thus far. How those shots have only translated into fewer than five Expected Goals, the eighth lowest number in the league, is impressive in the wrong way (for comparison, the Union have 7.80 xG and eight goals on the same number of shots). 

Third, and perhaps most worryingly, KC keeps giving up second half goals. Since Portland scored in the 5th minute of KC’s opener, five of the six goals Peter Vermes team has allowed have come in the second half. And most annoying for Vermes, his side has scored first before giving up all those second half goals. 

Fixing these issues is difficult for Sporting because of all the injuries and suspensions they’ve endured this year. Daniel Salloi and Willy Agada have been the tip of the spear in attack, and Agada seems like a star in the making who could offer an incredible combo with Pulido if the striker ever returns. For now though, KC can’t pair what appears to be a solid defense with a dynamic attack, and when they score early that defense crumbles late. 

There’s a lot of talent on the roster, but Vermes needs his best players to get a long run together to find success. 

The Union, in contrast, have struggled preventing goals in the first half. In the four matches Philly has given up goals this year, they have allowed a goal inside the first ten minutes twice — two goals to Orlando in that span — and allowed a goal in the first 32 minutes in all four games. The club’s aggressive, direct style is enhanced when the opponent falls behind and needs to pour bodies into attack. Playing from behind for most of the match makes it more difficult for Jim Curtin’s side to lean into what they do best, and the result has been a stuttering start to the season. 

With Daniel Gazdag, Julian Carranza, and a slew of young talent returning on Saturday, the Union’s goal will be… get a goal fast. They’ve been content to soak up pressure early in matches and let the opponent open themselves to a counterattack. But that strategy falls flat when you don’t threaten on the counter and affect the other team’s rhythm and confidence. 

One big question for Curtin will come at left back after the coach said Kai Wagner was being examined for a minor hamstring injury midweek. If Wagner can’t go, Curtin could move Leon Flach into defense and pull Jack McGlynn into midfield, or he could look to Matt Real, who played as a midfielder/winger late in the Orlando match last weekend. 

Wagner’s absence is a big question, but Andre Blake’s is a giant one. The goalkeeper is on track to be ready for Saturday’s game but the coaching staff won’t want to rush him back and risk a longer-term injury. Blake is the best in MLS so his return will be a big boost if it happens.