The Union hit the road for their first road trip in two weeks – and their first flight in more than a month – when they take on Houston Dynamo Saturday evening (9 p.m. EST, TCN). And although the Union remain in first place in the Eastern Conference, they’ll be eager to avenge last week’s loss to Vancouver Whitecaps, which snapped a 10-game home unbeaten streak.
But outside of MLS, the Union returned to winning ways at Talen Energy Stadium on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over New York Red Bulls in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. However, the loaded schedule has played tricks on Jim Curtin’s rotational plans. Saturday will mark the team’s sixth game in 18 games.
But immediately getting back on the right track may have been more important.
“Winning builds confidence in everybody,” Curtin said after training on Thursday. “I thought our guys had a difficult first half, but really responded well. Good for everyone’s confidence.
“We are a little undermanned right now with a couple of injuries here and there,” Curtin continued. “But guys have stepped up and have had a good mentality.”
One player in particular is Leo Fernandes. The 24-year-old Long Island native has shown glimpses of his tremendous skillset over his years with the Union, but his best opportunity could be looming. With Sebastien Le Toux (concussion) out and C.J. Sapong (left ankle sprain) and Fabian Herbers (right hamstring strain) questionable, the lone forward position was left in Fernandes’ hands late Wednesday.
“The last two games now [Leo] has come into, he has left a real mark on,” Curtin said during Wednesday’s post-game press conference. “It’s the sign of a young player that’s growing up and getting confidence. I say it in front of my whole group in training, ‘Leo is our best player.’ Almost every day, in terms of getting goals, setting-up goals, he does an excellent job and now it’s translating to the field in the big moment.”
Whether or not Fernandes starts remains to be seen, but it is an option Curtin look toward. The scintillatingly-hot Roland Alberg could be an option, in somewhat of a false 9 role. Alberg is the reigning MLS Player of the Week and was nominated for June’s Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month.
“I thought Leo did a good job up there holding as a No. 9,” Curtin said. “Alberg has done it before in his career too. So we have some options. It will be important to get a good group of soccer players on the field against a Houston team that is playing better than their record would show.”
Elsewhere for the Union, it’s mostly a clean bill of health. Curtin has tended to rotate his left back and holding midfielder positions in recent weeks. Whether it’s Fabinho or Ray Gaddis holding down the former, and Warren Creavalle or Brian Carroll holding down the latter, it’s more than likely the rest of the starting spots will remain the same.
As for Houston, it’s a reunion of sorts for three former Union players as recently as 2015. Andrew Wenger, Cristian Maidana and Sheanon Williams all call Houston home now and have each played key roles for the Dynamo. Wenger is tied for the team-lead in games played (16), games starts (16) and goals (4). Maidana and Williams have played key roles as well, especially recently with all three players starting in the Open Cup Round of 16 win over Sporting Kansas City.
“I've been waiting for this game since I got here from Philadelphia,” Maidana said through translation. “I hope this Saturday to be as positive for me as for my team. I still don't know if I am going to play but I am really looking forward for this game. I hope to be there to face my ex-teammates and hopefully win the game.”
What do you think is the key to success vs. Houston? Leave your comment below.
