The Fall and Rise Of The 2014 Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union were a textbook example of how a bad season could go worse in 2014.

Win just one match of your first ten? Check.

Fire your manager and replace him with an untested, inexperienced manager? Check.

Trade your top-scoring forward from the previous season for a player who had been bust until this season? Check.

Bring in a World Cup goalkeeper to challenge your incumbent keeper and a guy who you used the previous number one pick in the MLS SuperDraft on? Check.

Although all of this sounds like a recipe for disaster, the Philadelphia Union somehow were able to defy the odds and turn in a semi-respectable season. A 10-12-12 record and an appearance in the US Open Cup finals leaves this team with infinite possibilities going into the future.

Oct 26, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Ben Speas (17) passes the ball as Philadelphia Union midfielder Maurice Edu (21) defends at Crew Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the biggest reason for improved play came from the defense. When manager Jim Curtin took over the squad from John Hackworth in May he brought in a complete change in defense, pushing Maurice Edu back into the center-back role and moving Amobi Okugo up into a defensive-midfield position. The move helped the Philadelphia defense immeasurably and was only fortied even more with the return of Carlos Valdes.

Outside backs Sheanon Williams and Ray Gaddis also improved making strides in not only their tracking but their tackling and passing as well.

Even the Jack McInerney for Andrew Wenger deal paid off. Wenger, no longer being asked to play as a forward, thrived as a winger in Curtin’s attack setting career-highs in goals (6) and assists (4). Much of his improvement could be attributed to his increased minutes. He logged 2120 minutes in 2014, which is mote than his previous two seasons combined (1.676).

But Union management were also smart enough in the previous off-season to pick up solid veteran midfielders Vincent Nogeuira and Cristan Maidana (11 assists) to go with strikers Sebastian Le Toux (12 goals) and Conor Casey (8 goals).

There were two things that ultimately led to the demise of the Union in 2014. The first is rather easy to point out: the injury to Le Toux. Le Toux, who had a season season-ending ankle injury in late September, was the catalyst of the Union attack. His 8 goals in 10 games lifted the Union at the their lowest point of the season. Without him, more attention was focused upon Casey and thus defenses did not have to stretch too far from goal.

The second reason is far more difficult to understand. There still has never really been given a reason why the Union signed goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi. Yes the keeper was coming off of a memorable World Cup and yes incumbent Zac MacMath had a poor 2013 and a difficult start to 2014. But MacMath had turned things around in 2014 and the Union had just made goalkeeper Andre Blake their number one pick in last year’s MLS SuperDraft.

The coaching situation was also a bit of a mess. While no one will deny that Hackworth deserved to be fired, it seemed very odd that the team very publicly flirted with David Moyes while Curtin was doing a quality job. The team then gave Curtin an extension, while hiring ex-Fulham coach Rene Meulenstein as a technical advisor.

Despite their improvements at the end of the season this is a team that enters 2015 with plenty of questions. Of course, the biggest is if they will sign Edu to a long-term contract. Edu, who was on loan from Stoke City, by all indications seems to want to city stay in Philadelphia. But the team is also needing to make a decision on Okugo, who may be fielding offers from European clubs.

Getting depth at forward should also be a top priority. Le Toux is 30 while Casey is 33. The club has shown interest in signing Jamaican Brian Brown to a long-term contract and the team is high on 23 year old Brazilian Leo Fernandes. But those players have a combined 3 goals in MLS.

The team will also need to move some pieces around to finally put Homegrown Product Zach Pfeffer into the starting eleven. Pfeffer is one of the top young midfielders in the United States and will likely start out in the center of the midfielder paired with Nogueira. Does that mean Wenger is on the move again or does the club sell Okugo?

The Philadelphia Union averted disaster in 2014. If they can get some depth at striker and figure out the Three’s Company scenario at goalkeeper then they might not be a one trick pony.