Philadelphia Union will welcome Toronto FC to Talen Energy Stadium Saturday at 1PM to kick-off their 2019 MLS season. Auston Trusty spent some time Wednesday afternoon chatting with PSN about pre-season and the game-plan ahead of Saturday’s home opener.
Auston Trusty spoke with confidence Wednesday afternoon when discussing he and his teammates' home opener this Saturday afternoon against Toronto FC. Philadelphia will host perennial contender and fellow Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC along the Delaware River in what could be one of the most anticipated openers in franchise history.
Why? Marco Fabian. Along with a renewed sense of purpose
from the Union technical staff thanks to the arrival of Sporting Director Ernst
Tanner.
“It’s been great so far. Everyone has come in having the
right mindset,” said Trusty when asked about pre-season training camp. “The
intensity is great.”
The purpose for 2019 remains clear: implement a distinct
style of play that focuses on efficiency on both sides of the ball. Much has
been made throughout pre-season camp regarding this new style for the Union.
It’s a style which no longer requires the presence of wingers up top. Instead
an attractive two striker system will carry Philadelphia this season.
There are of course many tactical shifts that come along
with sacrificing offensive wingers. One major change will be the heavy reliance
on both full backs to create offense while remaining defensively sound in wide
spaces.
The midfield will need to be more mobile than ever in the final third to create openings offensively as well. Which places a lot of pressure on pretty much every player on the pitch to remain in sync in hopes of preventing sloppy turnovers which could leave them out to dry in transition play.
Thankfully, Trusty reiterated the idea of sharing one central mindset that he and his teammates stick to. It’s not necessarily a new mindset, but perhaps revamped this year.
He mentioned that a large chunk of his time is dedicated to “fine tuning my mindset” to help both on and off the pitch. “It’s all about coming in with the right mindset in all aspects, whether it’s training every day or matchday,” said Trusty.
Considering Philadelphia may not attempt to overwhelm opponents with possession based play this season, the team’s intent when holding the ball must be to create chances. Which also places more importance on defending as a unit.
“We are all one unit. Us defenders, the forwards, and the
midfield. We have to treat everything with the same mentality,” said Trusty.
The defense will start up top with the two strikers forcing
play to either side of the pitch. The two must work flawlessly to cut off
passing lanes while pressing at opportune moments. But the responsibility to
create pressure won’t sit solely on the strikers’ shoulders.
Every player on the pitch this season will look to ebb and
flow as one unit with the ultimate goal of seeing their defensive cohesion
create offensive opportunity.
Which, again, stresses the importance of team play. And
perhaps this season more than ever, Head Coach Jim Curtin possesses a roster
compiled of an impressive young core defensively in Trusty and center back mate
Mark McKenzie, a stacked veteran midfield grouping bolstered by Mexican
superstar Fabian, and a speedy stable of offensive weapons to choose from.
In other words, Philadelphia may have fielded one of the most
well-rounded squads yet.
“Marco adds a very humble personality to the team.
He has been a really good fit,” mentioned Trusty.
Ultimately, the truth of this team will be revealed in time.
Are the additions to the roster strong enough? Were weaknesses addressed with
sturdy replacements? Will Fabian be the proverbial ‘missing piece to the
puzzle’ for Philadelphia as they seek their first playoff victory in franchise
history?
As for Saturday’s match-up, the Union will face an early
test. Sure, Italian superstar Giovinco and Spanish attacker Victor Vazquez have
since departed MLS for cash grabs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar (although Giovinco
has said he would’ve accepted less money to stay in Toronto).
To make matters worse, Toronto fired their General Manager
and hired a new one after the new year shortly before Giovinco and Vazquez hit
the exit button. They then saw an ugly squabble between Head Coach Greg Vanney and
playmaker Gregory van der Wiel go public leaving Van der Wiel to look elsewhere
for professional soccer in 2019. Toronto is most definitely facing increased
adversity to start the new season.
Saturday’s match-up is primed for excitement. Both franchises
are entering 2019 under new conditions. However, Philadelphia has suffered far
less changes to their core roster. Which brings the whole idea of mentality and
team cohesion to the forefront ahead of the first match in MLS 2019.
Trusty kept it simple when asked about the game-plan for Saturday. He mentioned the importance of teamwork and making sure everyone is aware of their duties. But more importantly, “Just do not underestimate their offensive skill,” said Trusty.
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