Union stay sharp by scrimmaging U.S. reserves
Because of the break for Copa America, the Union have been off since a 3-2 Major League Soccer win over the visiting Columbus Crew on June 1, but they found a good way to stay sharp over the weekend.
Because of the break for Copa America, the Union have been off since a 3-2 Major League Soccer win over the visiting Columbus Crew on June 1, but they found a good way to stay sharp over the weekend.
United States national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann called the Union and asked if his reserves could get some scrimmage time.
So Sunday morning, not long after the 1-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field, the U.S. reserves scrimmaged the Union at their practice field at Talen Energy Stadium.
"We were able to get a great exercise [Sunday] against the reserves from the men's national team that needed some minutes now that they are going out to Seattle," Union coach Jim Curtin said Monday after practice.
The United States will play Ecuador in the quarterfinals Thursday in Seattle.
"We had a good game with them yesterday morning and it's good that our first game back isn't a shock to our system because there has been a little bit of downtime," Curtin said.
The Union will play Wednesday at Talen Energy Stadium in a U.S. Open Cup game against the Harrisburg City Islanders, their former United Soccer League affiliate. Their next MLS game is Saturday at Yankee Stadium against New York City FC.
Blake returning
Union keeper Andre Blake and his Jamaica team were scheduled to play their final Copa America game against Uruguay on Monday night at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The Jamaicans did not reach the quarterfinals, which means Blake will be rejoining the Union.
Could he actually play on Wednesday?
It's highly doubtful, but Curtin wouldn't say for sure.
"He will be on the first flight out and we will have him back here and will have to make a decision on what is best for Wednesday night," Curtin said. "But he will be here."
Yaro still out
Curtin said that defender Josh Yaro is getting closer to returning to action but won't play on Wednesday night. Yaro has been sidelined since suffering a shoulder injury during the first half of a 2-2 draw May 25 at Orlando City.
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