CHESTER — In the past, it wasn't a big worry when the Union lost two games in a row at home. It was just how things went in Chester.
Back-to-back home losses to Real Salt Lake and Seattle this week seem unusual. The last time the Union lost three league games in a row was in 2017, when they didn't make the MLS playoffs. In the first eight seasons, the club lost three league games in a row 11 times.
On Saturday night in Washington, the task is to continue the winning streak with a visit to D.C. United (7:30 p.m., AppleTV).
“At home, it's rare for us to lose two games like we did,” manager Jim Curtin said Friday. “I expect the team to respond strongly against D.C. United.”
The losses lead to different conclusions. The 2-1 loss to RSL last Saturday happened even though the Union played better, but was beaten in the 90th minute by a great goal from left back Alex Katranis. They showed character by coming back from 3-0 down to score three times on Tuesday against the Sounders, but the third goal was disallowed in a 3-2 loss. They also played what Curtin called “an inexcusable half of soccer” to end up in that situation.
It's still early in the season, but not that early. The Union have had injuries, but not many long-term issues like other teams in the league. So is it time to worry about the only unbeaten team in MLS last week? Not for the coach.
“When all of our guys are healthy and in good form, we have a team that can beat anybody,” Curtin said. “The coach's message always shows the other side: If we're not performing well, all 11 players, we can lose to anybody in this league too. That's the beauty of MLS and the way our league is set up.”
Consistency has been lacking for them early on. The CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign, which ended poorly against finalist Pachuca, was difficult. A series of injuries to Andre Blake has affected the team's chemistry at the back. The Union have allowed the first goal in six of nine MLS games, and their defense, allowing 14 goals, is tied for 15th in MLS. Their attacking talent can't make up for this.
Blake won't go on the DC trip due to knee soreness, adding to a concussion and an adductor strain earlier in the season. Oliver Semmle will start, with Andrew Rick as backup.
Leon Flach, who had to deal with a sports hernia and then a preseason pectoral injury, saw a significant decline in defensive performance and might get his first playing time of the season.
D.C. (3-3-4, 13 points) is just behind the Union in the standings. Former Red Bulls coach Troy Lesesne has introduced new ideas that have helped D.C. start strong, and Christian Benteke has scored eight goals, meeting the team's expectations.
Saturday's match is the kind that the Union usually respond well to – playing away from home, with the opponent likely controlling the game, facing challenges.
At some point, Curtin would like to be able to produce that kind of reaction without needing to be behind by a goal or three first. However, the coach also understands how they’ve reached a point where back-to-back losses can seem so unusual. This has occurred because Curtin trusts his players to recognize when their efforts are below par, determine necessary adjustments, and understand the level of performance required.
It will require more than two losses for him to change that default approach.
“I am more inclined to avoid intervening,” Curtin stated. “We have been consistently successful for a long time, thanks to our exceptional and highly skilled players. Of course, losing two matches in a row, which is not common for us, is what as a head coach you aim to prevent – a decline in performance. When you lose one, how do you react? I believe that over the past five to six years, we have been consistently excellent at this. This must continue.”
