New York City FC welcome the Philadelphia Union to New York on Wednesday night.
For this edition of 'The Away End' presented by Berkeley College & Rennert International, we spoke to Eric Frysinger, a contributor to the Philly Sports Network.
Hi Eric, thanks for speaking with us. How long have you been covering the Philadelphia Union?
Thanks for reaching out, I'm looking forward to talking Union vs NYCFC. I've been covering the Union since the start of the 2023 season, but I've been a fan since the very beginning. It feels simultaneously like just yesterday and like a lifetime ago that I was sitting in the stands of Lincoln Financial Field watching Sebastien Le Toux score a hattrick to beat D.C. United in the first-ever home game. We've come a long, long way.
What has been your highlight in that time?
Having dedicated times and spaces to geek out about soccer. I could talk about it endlessly, whether that's Union and MLS, or more far flung places. Being able to talk with my fellow Union writers at Philly Sports Network and have several hundred people watch and join in on the discussion is so much fun.
As far as highlights from specific games, there's been some good battles against NYCFC over the years. Being in the River End for the 2022 Eastern Conference final was definitely a highlight, although I wasn't covering the team yet so that answer might be cheating.
What were your thoughts on the 2024 season?
For the Union, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Individual players and the team as a whole have fluctuated wildly in form. Before the Leagues Cup, it felt like the majority of the fanbase were fed up and calling for the owners' heads, but then the team went on a run and a lot of that talk cooled off. That's not to say people don't still feel that way, but it's become more smoldering embers than raging inferno. I think the run-in to the playoffs is going to go a long way towards determining how this season is viewed overall.
For MLS as a whole, I think it's been a little bit of a come-down from the highs of Messi's arrival last season. Whether you've been happy with the league's constant promotion of his arrival or frustrated by it (or whatever else you may be feeling), you can't deny that there was a certain energy that it brought. Of course, there have been plenty of bright spots this season, such as Columbus continuing their evolution into one of the best teams on the continent, or Matt Freese showing how good he is when getting to start more consistently.
What are your hopes for what remains of the 2024 season?
The easy answer is winning enough games to sneak into the playoffs. I know some Union fans are actually hoping we miss them because they think that will force more change in the off-season, and I understand that viewpoint. But I want to see the current players get one last run. With a striker as in-form as Tai Baribo is right now (14 goals in his last 16 games across all competitions), you never know what could happen.
I also want to see Andre Blake get, and stay, healthy (more on that later). I was actually at the MLS SuperDraft in Philly when he was drafted, and obviously, he means a lot to Union fans everywhere. It's been heartbreaking watching him go through the injury struggles he's dealt with this year.
What do you think will be the deciding factor in Wednesday's game?
Unfortunately, injuries. These days, international breaks have become a matter of how many injuries players will get and how bad they'll be. I wrote an article recently about the 3 most important players for the Union in their push for the playoffs, and all 3 players picked up injuries with their national teams. Luckily, Tai Baribo and Danley Jean Jacques appear to be okay, but Andre Blake is a huge loss. Even if he somehow plays on Wednesday, he won't be anywhere close to 100%.
I think the other key factor will be whether the Union can adjust to the small pitch at Yankee Stadium. The lack of space in behind will force them to adjust their attack some; they won't be able to utilize Mikael Uhre's pace in the same way they often do. Additionally, defensive errors can be even more costly when the opponents have less distance to goal, so they'll have to play a cleaner, more mistake-free game than some they've had this season.
And for any fans that might be in Philly for a game in the near future are there any spots you'd suggest they check out?
I'm definitely the wrong person to ask; I live in the suburbs (cue the booing) and don't make it into the city as often as I should. There's all the normal touristy stuff like the Art Museum and the Franklin Institute and stuff, which are definitely worth seeing if you've never been. But that feels like a terrible, cliche answer. It really just comes down to taste; someone might have a great time waiting in line for an hour to see the Liberty Bell for 5 seconds, someone else might love going to a local bar and watching a Phillies - Mets game in enemy territory. There's really something for everyone. Which still feels cliche, but oh well.
Thanks again for the chance to ramble a bit about the Union, this was fun. Good luck with the rest of your season (not including Wednesday of course, I hope we beat you).
