CHESTER — The Union’s schedule will move into a different phase this weekend, and they are optimistic about Andre Blake's participation in it.
Blake exited last Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Minnesota United and has been in concussion protocol. Manager Jim Curtin mentioned on Thursday that Blake is close to completing the treatment program, which would enable him to join the team for Saturday’s game in Nashville (8:30 p.m., AppleTV+).
“Andre was on the field today,” Curtin said at his weekly press conference. “He’s in the final stages of clearing concussion protocol. Head injuries are something we take very seriously, at the Philadelphia Union and in the league. He has progressed and felt better each day, good enough to be out on the field today, but the final test is what goes on with the medical staff. If he passes that today, he’ll be good for the game.”
If Blake is unable to play, Oliver Semmle will be in the starting lineup. Semmle concluded Saturday’s game by entering in the 76th minute of what was then a 1-0 game. This marks Semmle's fifth appearance in all competitions. Blake has made five starts in nine games, while Semmle has made four.
Semmle performed significantly better in the 3-1 victory in Portland two weeks ago when Blake was absent due to international duty, making seven saves as the Union achieved their first win. He appears to be adapting to the role.
The increasingly complex issue revolves around a backup. Holden Trent is still out of action following surgery on a broken finger. In the two MLS games that Blake missed due to international duty and an early-season adductor strain, the Union have brought in Academy player Andrew Rick as an emergency backup. They can only do this a limited number of times during the season. Once the maximum is reached, they would need to bring in another professional to the roster. Curtin stated that it's not necessary at this time, as they “haven’t seen anyone or felt the need to make a move yet.”
In any case, Saturday indicates a shift for the Union (2-0-3, 9 points). As one of only three unbeaten teams in MLS, the Union played four of their first five games against Western Conference opponents. They have just two more cross-conference matchups for the remainder of the season – April 27 against Real Salt Lake and the rescheduled match against Seattle on April 30. Their three longest road trips – Kansas City, Portland, and Austin – are now behind them.
The unusual scheduling has allowed the Union to address some of the challenges early in interleague matches, where a draw that feels like a loss of two points isn’t also a gain of one point for a team they're directly competing with for playoff spots.
This changes this week. The Union are in the middle of four out of five away games. Nashville is in 11th place in the East, while the next opponent, Atlanta United, is one place ahead of the Union in sixth. By the end of the trip to the Mercedes Benz Stadium, the Union will have played only two home games out of five on the road.
Curtin stated that it’s premature to label a game as a six-point affair, with a victory being doubly important as three points gained and three denied to the opponent. However, the in-league games carry more weight.
He said that the games against teams in the Eastern Conference are more important because you can take points directly from teams you are competing with. Getting points while playing away from home is also significant. They have finished many of their games against teams in the Western Conference, which will make their travel schedule easier in the later months, giving them some advantages.
