We’re just two weeks into the MLS season and Union head coach Jim Curtin is already steaming mad.
And for good reason.
With the Union clinging to a one-goal lead against Real Salt Lake on Saturday night, Philly captain Maurice Edu was whistled for a phantom penalty call that led to RSL tying the game on an 86th-minute penalty kick and the Union settling for a disappointing 3-3 draw.
We’ll look at that controversial call, why Curtin thinks his team doesn’t get enough respect and more in this year’s first installment of the Inside Doop.
Three thoughts from Saturday’s game
1. There’s actually not really much to analyze about the call. Although Edu stuck his arm out, the contact was minimal and even RSL’s Luke Mulholland, who drew the penalty, admitted he didn’t think it should have been called. And to have the call essentially decide the game makes it even worse. Not surprisingly, Curtin didn’t hold back in his postgame interview, saying that his team doesn’t get a lot of respect after it was also jobbed by the refs in its season-opening draw when the Colorado Rapids weren’t whistled for a couple of possible penalties. The consistency of the league’s refereeing is clearly an issue and many teams across the league have had reasons to complain. But with the Union already getting squeezed out of four points through two games, it’s understandable why Curtin believes his team is getting the short end of the stick.
2. Almost lost in the late-game controversy was a huge night from new striker Fernando Aristeguieta. The 22-year-old Venezuelan, acquired less than a month ago, scored his first two MLS goals to stake Philly a 2-1 halftime lead. Neither goal was exceptionally pretty as Aristeguieta headed in a wide-open rebound after a flukey deflection before taking advantage of a sleeping RSL defense on a quick throw-in to fire in his second. But that innate ability to be at the right place at the right time and poach goals is something the Union have lacked since Jack McInerney was traded a year ago – and it’s something they desperately need. If Aristeguieta keeps it up, he could easily end up as one of the league’s leading goalscorers.
3. Playing a hand in all three goals was the same player Curtin was hard on throughout the preseason and benched for last week’s season opener: Cristian Maidana. But the Argentine playmaker showed Saturday why he’s so valuable to have on the field, even if there was a lot of luck involved in the Union’s goals. On the first, Maidana’s cross took a deflection off Kyle Beckerman’s head and nearly went in before Aristeguieta finished the job. On the second, Maidana’s smart throw-in down the middle of the field found a streaking Aristeguieta. And on the third, another Maidana cross took a deflection off an RSL player for an own goal. All said, it was a rather bizarre night for Maidana. But, if nothing else, he showed why he needs to be on the field for the Union offense to work.
Three questions for the week ahead
1. Heading into Friday’s home game against FC Dallas, you can sense the coaches, players and fans are angry. But will that turn into a healthy kind of motivation as the team looks to win its first game of the season? Or will they play like a black cloud is hovering over them and expect things to go wrong? Here’s one thing that seems certain: the Sons of Ben, who already penned an open letter to MLS higher-ups about the league’s officiating, will give the refs an absolute earful if things don't go their way.
2. While the Union are probably feeling good about their three-goal game in one of the league’s toughest venues, there are still some questions and concerns surrounding the team’s offense. In particular, Sebastien Le Toux hasn’t shown the same kind of scoring touch he’s had in years past. And fellow winger Andrew Wenger has been off the mark on a couple of his chances too. Can those two get going this week? If so, the Union’s attack can start to flourish without the benefit of lucky goals.
3. Coming into the season, Danny Cruz and Brian Carroll were expected to fill valuable roles on the bench and, perhaps, come into games late to secure leads. But through two games, neither has even made the 18-man gameday roster yet. Cruz is recovering from a hamstring injury, so his omission is understandable. But hard to figure out why Carroll (who joined Cruz as the team’s players’ union reps during CBA negotiations) has yet to factor into any games- because if he’s not going to make the 18 then why was he even re-signed? It will be interesting to see if either of those two players will make their season debuts this week.
Stat of the week
In eight games, the Union have never defeated Real Salt Lake. And in their last two road games vs. RSL, the Union allowed late game-tying penalty kicks to walk away with a draw.
Quote of the week
“I have a bunch of men on my team that fought hard and deserved three points tonight. And I think they got let down at the end of the game.” – Union head coach Jim Curtin following Saturday’s 3-3 draw
Player of the week
Aristeguieta gets the nod for his first two MLS goals. Union fans can only hope they are the first of many.