It’s Game Day in the Away Leg vs Saprissa in the Concacaf Champions Cup! Plus: The Art of Doop, New Merch, and How is the New Kit?

We have finally made it. The Union play tonight in the away leg of their matchup with Saprissa in the Concacaf Champions Cup to kick off the 2024 season. With the team essentially running it back (again), the pressure is on to actually win a trophy this year after just coming up short the last two years.

Coach Jim Curtin and striker Julian Carranza met with the media Monday morning in advance of the match. You can see the full press conference here. Jim spoke about how they played at Saprissa and won, but it was during COVID and there were not any fans. He knows the environment will be tough and that Saprissa has a strong team. He remarked:

“We respect them a great deal, but we don’t fear anybody- that has to be our mindset and our mentality. We know we have a good team too, and we know that this game is the first leg. I always say the tide can be lost in the first leg, it can’t be won. So we have to be very intelligent with how we approach the game. Very disciplined because the opponent can really hurt you, and I’ve been in this stadium before when it goes crazy early. As an example, back when I was in my Chicago days, we had an early red card and it becomes, I’ll just say very, very difficult to play once the crowd gets going. And there’s no stopping that momentum. So we’ll be smart and how we approach the game- respectful, but also brave.”

Julian Carranza also spoke, mostly in his native tongue of Spanish, saying that he thinks they are in good shape physically and have played some high-intensity games in preseason, but it is still different when you are playing in this competition. He also remarked that he has heard a lot about the Saprissa fans, and coming from Argentina, he knows what it is like to play in front of big fans. They will be focused on the field and focused on getting a good result.

“The Art of Doop” Kit Launch

(Be sure to check out our latest podcast episode where we discuss this event!)

Kyle and I were able to get down to Subaru Park exactly one week before the home opener for the Union’s kit launch event, titled “The Art of Doop.” There was a tent with ice sculptures outside, with the new jersey and some cleats frozen within them. Inside the tent were several pieces of art depicting the team in many different styles, an artist actively painting one of the works, and a string quartet playing. We actually arrived within the last 45 minutes of the event, so it was quite cleared out at that point.

After viewing the art, we moved inside to the team store. We had pre-ordered an authentic jersey since we liked the sleeves and other details not found in the replica. We also browsed the new merchandise. Most notable, we loved the hockey style sweatshirts and some of the new t-shirts and sweatshirts that are by Mitchell & Ness. The kids will be excited to know they have Phang Squishmallows, and they are adorable. On the way out, in the concourse, a photo op area was set up as a “doop den.” It was also good to see the Sons of Ben had a table in the concourse. We were surprised that there was nothing in the way of season ticket reps or pickup of STM gifts, as there usually had been in the past.

Was it the best kit launch we have been to for the Union? No- Kyle and I agree that 2022’s media experience with the kit launch was the best we had been to, but it was still a nice event and we appreciate that they tried to do something different. We just felt a little underwhelmed, and feel like there has been a downturn in social events. There was no season ticket member holiday event, nor have we heard anything (yet) of a meet the team night, which happened this week last year.

It is hard to believe the short offseason is now over, and the Union faithful will be rocking Subaru Park in a matter of days. Here’s hoping we get off to a positive start at Saprissa, and carry that momentum into our MLS opener vs. Chicago on Sat. 2/24.

New merch- the XV kit (authentic) and a new XV knit hat from the team store because it’s definitely going to be used! See you at the Sons of Ben lot in a few days!