One final tune up, then it’s go time:
Head coach Jim Curtin opened up his conference call with remarks about tomorrow’s final preseason match versus the New England Revolution and before moving on to the CONCACAF Champions Cup next Tuesday.
“Look, this will be a really good test against New England tomorrow, which will be a good exercise before it starts to get real in Costa Rica. So again, a lot of hard work has been put in by the players. I think we’ve improved a great deal with our fitness with our attacking transitions, defending transitions, and we’re in a good spot. I will say this is, as you look at it, you know, from top to bottom, probably the strongest I’ve ever seen the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer, really, strong groups.”
Really strong groups indeed, while a lot of Eastern conference teams have gone out spent money or retooled this offseason, the Union have stuck with adding developmental pieces along with bringing back the core group that got them to the 2022 MLS Cup Final. Will it work out in the Union’s favor? That remains to be seen as only time will tell.
Tomorrow’s plan, then off to Costa Rica:
Jim also spoke on his plans for tomorrow’s match without giving too much information as he (or any good head coach) does. “Tomorrow’s exercise will just be 90, you know, we have, I would say, a group of five or six guys that I think are already 90 minutes fit and are ready to go. You know, will make some tomorrow 45 minutes, some will play 60, Some will push 90. And that’s all based on, you know, where they’re at, physically. Some guys have missed some sessions because of injury. So, we’re kind of trying to find a balance.”
As for the looming first leg of the Champions Cup Jim had this to offer up: “We have a plan in place already. For Saprissa and then the quick turnaround for Chicago.”
As we all remember, the 2021 CCL legs vs Saprissa were hard, though match ups that the Union eventually won. However, Saprissa is a much better team this time around so the Union cannot take them lightly either.
With four matches in 14 days starting next Tuesday, Jim and the staff have many decisions to make.
Jakob Glesnes healing progress and returning to training:
Jose asked Jim for a status update on Jakob Glesnes’s injury update and what that might hold for the upcoming matches. “With all injuries, there is that last little, you know, five to 10 percent that takes the longest to come back. I think he’s worked hard on the fitness side of things. Tomorrow, he’s where we see him and Damion, maybe just sharing 45 minutes each. The load has been a lot on both of their legs. And Jack Elliott’s missed a game or two here in the preseason. So, we want to push him a little bit longer. So not revealing anything that Caleb’s really preparing for but that’s the way that that’ll probably go tomorrow, just have those each do 45 minutes. But certainly, with both, with all the setbacks, you want to get them as sharp as possible. We’ll have some decisions to make and what makes the most sense for the starting group against Costa Rica, the quick turnaround against Chicago, and then you have to come right back and play another high intensity game at home.”
Mikael Uhre’s return to the Union:
I asked Jim about Uhre’s return to the team and scoring in the 6th minute of a Union 3-4 defeat to F.C. Cincinnati. “Mikael came in really fit. I think he’s in the best shape he’s been in physically. Does it hurt to miss you know, three weeks waiting for a green card? Absolutely. You know, you’d fall a little bit behind the group in terms of the soccer part, but he’s getting up to speed as quickly as possible.”
“Happy with him in terms of, you know, coming in strong fit and, you know, in a good spot physically. So that’s a good starting point, always good to hit the back of the net for any striker. And hopefully tomorrow, he can create some more chances and do a good job for probably about 60 minutes.”
“So, we’ll see how he does. And he’s obviously a guy that with him, Julian and Dani have said it before how they go is kind of how our group goes and they kind of set that that forward line for us. And not only the scoring, but also the pressing and the defending they set the tone for everything that happens behind them. And we need a big year from Mikael, I expect that from him.”
With Julian’s possible departure this summer and Daniel missing due to international duties, Uhre is going to be relied upon to make up for them. After scoring 13 goals in 2022, he only managed nine in 2023. The Union’s highest transfer ever has some questions to answer ahead of 2024.
Another Union Preseason Livestream tomorrow:
The final preseason match tomorrow versus the New England Revolution will be available live on stream. You can follow the action here philaunion.co/streamphivne
Kit Launch Tomorrow:
The Union will reveal their home 2024 kit tomorrow! From what EA Sports leaked it’s a top 3 kit.
The season is picking up and Jillian and I will be back to review all the MLS kits of 2024 and our season preview, so keep a look out for it. Until next time, remember it’s LOVE, LIFE, DOOP.
The One Team We Agree On 
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