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Philadelphia Union: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

Oct 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty (11) collides with Philadelphia Union midfielder Brian Carroll (7) during the second half at Talen Energy Stadium. The Red Bulls won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty (11) collides with Philadelphia Union midfielder Brian Carroll (7) during the second half at Talen Energy Stadium. The Red Bulls won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta (10) during the second half against the New York Red Bulls at Talen Energy Stadium. The Red Bulls won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta (10) during the second half against the New York Red Bulls at Talen Energy Stadium. The Red Bulls won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Hope #1: That Tranquillo Barnetta has a little bit of magic left.

One of the unsung heroes of the 2016 MLS season has been midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta. The Swiss international flew in under the radar last season signing with the Union during a very difficult period. But he has been a major factor in their rise in the standings this season, creating organization and attacking chances for a Union side that needed a veteran presence in the midfield.

He might not be a favorite of opponents given that he always seems to be the center of commotion. But make no mistake about it: he is a very effective midfielder and perhaps one of the more underrated players in the player.

The bad news for Union supporters is that Barnetta’s time with the club is about to end. The Swiss international has already announced that he will be leaving the side at the end of the season. In the long-term the team is going to have great difficulty in replacing him and may need to dip into their pocketbooks for a replacement (Note: Alejandro Bedoya is not that player). But in the short-term the club will hope that he has a little bit of magic left and can get this side their first-ever playoff win.

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What will be interesting to see is if Curtin chooses to bring back Roland Alberg into the starting eleven to work with Barnetta. The Union saw their greatest success this season when Alberg and Barnetta were running the center of the pitch. Barnetta isn’t a CAM but Alberg is. By giving Alberg the keys to running the Union attack it allows Barnetta to set up plays across the entire pitch and make the occasional late run into the box. It also gets Bedoya out of the center mid position and back as a right midfielder where he has had the greatest success in his career.

Barnetta’s time may be running out in Philadelphia but with a quality effort on Wednesday night his stay might be a little bit longer.

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