John Hackworth concedes that the Philadelphia Union are out of the playoff race
In the minutes after the Philadelphia Union gave up a last-minute 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew at PPL Park, the atmosphere at one of Major League Soccer's most lively venues was pin-drop quiet.
John Hackworth concedes that the Philadelphia Union are out of the playoff race
Jonathan Tannenwald
In the minutes after the Philadelphia Union gave up a last-minute 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew at PPL Park, the atmosphere at one of Major League Soccer's most lively venues was pin-drop quiet.
The fans who made the midweek trip to Chester knew how important the defeat was. So did Union manager John Hackworth. When asked during his postgame press conference whether the Union are out of the playoff race, Hackworth did not mince words.
"I'm the eternal optimist, but I would say that I'm not stupid either," Hackworth said. "I don't think it's a possibility anymore. I think we should stop talking about it, personally, and I think we should concentrate on playing good soccer the rest of the way."
So what happens now? The Union are 16 points out of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 10 games to go. Motivating his players will be biggest challenge yet of Hackworth's time in charge of the team.
I asked Hackworth how he plans to do that - and whether, as part of that, there are players who are playing to remain on the Union's roster next season.
Hackworth demurred.
"I am emotional about losing a game that you feel like you shouldn't lose, so I'll try to give my best answers to you guys," he told the reporters assembled before him. "But at the same time, I want to be very smart and very thoughtful about some of the things I say going forward. So I don't think now is the time for me to talk about what we're doing going forward."
Hackworth said he's "happy with the kind of soccer we're playing," though he admitted that "obviously we're not executing in front of both boxes."
"That is our Achilles heel right now," Hackworth continued. "But I would tell you that I think we're going to try to continue to push and play the same style of soccer, give it everything we have, and I think it's going to fall [into place] sometime soon."
Hovering over all of this is the fact that Hackworth is only the Union's manager on an interim basis. So his job is as in jeopardy at the end of the year as those of his players.
I asked Hackworth what he feels he has at stake personally as the season concludes.
"That's a tough question - you'll have to ask our ownership that," he answered. "I'm going to do the job to the best of my ability, and I'm going to keep pushing our guys."
This much was clear on the night: the Union fundamentally lack a finishing presence up front. Jack McInerney had a poor game, turning the ball over multiple times and failing on a few occasions to link up well with his teammates. Antoine Hoppenot played better, but lacks the traits necessary to really lead the Union's offense.
In the locker room after the game, McInerney told me something quite profound about his role in the Union's front line.
"It's tough playing up there because we play a 4-3-3, but the wide guys tuck back," he said. "I'm not the biggest guy, so I can't really play as that target striker. I just need players to make runs off of me, and create stuff for me too."
I'm not the biggest guy, so I can't really play as that target striker.
There you have it. An admission from McInerney that he's not right for the role he's in.
Columbus, meanwhile, has no such problems - and that's why they're making a dramatic charge up the standings right now.
Federico Higuaín is exactly the kind of forward the Union need - big, fast and powerful, but also skilled and creative. He has three goals and four assists in just four games played since joining the Crew as a Designated Player during the summer transfer window.
Even Crew manager Robert Warzycha has been surprised by how well Higuaín has played.
When I asked Warzycha whether he expected what he has gotten from the Argentine, he answered succinctly: "Absolutely not."
"You wish that a player that you bring to the team from a different country - who doesn't speak English - can adapt quick and score goals and have assists," Warzycha said. "But [to do it] that quick is something."
Higuaín also serves a terrific free kick, as the Union learned firsthand - and that's another thing that the Union struggle with, especially when Freddy Adu isn't on the field.
As painful as it was to watch the Union give up that late goal, the contrast between them and the Crew was clear well before then. Whether or not the Union deserved to win, it's worth it to take something from the first 90 minutes of the game as well as the last five.
Here's more analysis of the night in video form, as Marc Narducci of the Inquirer chats with Kerith Gabriel of the Daily News.
After you watch the video, I hope you'll have your say in the comments about where the Union go from here. What do you want to see over the course of the rest of the season? Which players do you think are playing for their jobs now? Do you think Hackworth is under pressure to deliver too? Fire away below.
The Union are top-to-bottom the worst team in the MLS. Their set pieces are a absolute joke. They lack all fundemental skills so they just rely on fouling and fighting their way through each game. Their play teeters between mind-numbingly boring and flat out embarassing. They will need to make some major changes before next season or it will just be more of the same. It's really a shame because the city is ripe with enthusiastic soccer supporters.— LaFleur- I CAN SEE WHY YOU THINK THAT. HOWEVER, THE NUCLEUS [VALDEZ, KUGO, THE FARFANS, THE GK, 6' 4" DEFENDER (SOUMARE), A HANDFUL OF HARDWORKING SERVICEABLE SMURFS (CRUZ, HOPPENOT, JACKMAC)] IS NOT BAD. PROBLEM IS: THEY ARE MISSING ONE VERY BIG PIECE OF THE PUZZLE - A LEGIT SCORER. — bedpan
- Jon, rough night all the way around. That was the quickest & most determined "beat the traffic" migration from midfield seats that I have ever seen after Columbus scored.— TommyRo
- "That was the quickest & most determined "beat the traffic" migration from midfield seats that I have ever seen after Columbus scored."
You're not kidding, Tommy. I'm surprised no one got trampled!— BigBrain61 - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.... hope they didn't sign the contracts on the stadium expansion plans yet— main liner
- The most mysterious player decision, and there have been many, is why Roger Torres was in the luxury box in a suit last night, yet again. The U signed him to a big contract, he energizes the fans and, despite his shortcomings, he brings energy and creates offense. Surely this team is more likely to score with Torres on the field as opposed to Lahoud or Gomez.
Since they have managed to trade or give away their premier players and they don't play Adu, it is hard to know what they will do for the rest of this lost season.
What they should do is play Daniels, J. Martinez, Torres, Pfeffer and the other kids to give them some experience and try to develop some chemistry, which is still noticeably lacking. If recent history is a guide they will trade Sheanon Williams and Valdes for unknown mid-fielders.— J Mac - if Union cuts Albright who is riding the bench @$55,000, Carroll who stays hidden in the midfield pack most of the time $168,000, Martinez (yep. i checked the team roster and he's on it) $65,000. and slewfoot Gomez, $275,000, they will have $568,000 and not materially effect the club while they have the where with all to get a tall striker.— crumblinggeorge
- WORKS FOR ME. I'D EVEN UNLOAD Porfirio Lopez (WHOEVER HE IS) AND HIS $125,000 SALARY. AND, PUT THAT TOWARDS THE TALL STRIKER YOU MENTIONED. AS AN ASIDE, WHAT MUST GARFAN THINK KNOWING HE IS MAKING 15% OF WHAT GOMEZ MAKES AND A THIRD OF WHAT LOPEZ MAKES. — bedpan
- FINALLY honesty from the Union! Now start making the RIGHT moves from here on out. As hard as it is for him to admit, McInereny is right when he says he is not the type of striker this team needs as the go to guy. He needs to play off of bigger stronger players to be effective. Cruz and Hoppenot are lead foots. Cruz has more skill but lacks touch. Torres was great, however he would not do much with the cast of players on this squad. He is the original smurf. If you're asking him to link up with McInerney and company -- Good Luck! Moving forward, it's clear what needs to be done. Hearing Hackworth and even Sakeiwicz (during the pre-game interview) finally admit it is a big step!— LCBline
- Bedpan,
Porforio was spotted in full kit eating an enchilada at the Taco Bell in Marcus Hook during the first half of Wednesday night's game.— crumblinggeorge
Reach Jonathan at jtannenwald@phillynews.com or 215-854-2330.
