Philadelphia Union: Tranquillo Barnetta is not the answer at the #8

Since Vincent Nogueira’s departure, the Philadelphia Union have tried a few different things to replace him in the midfield. It’s safe to say that they haven’t worked so far.

They say that you never know what you had until it’s gone and that’s how Philadelphia Union fans feel about Vincent Nogueira. Pre Copa America the Philadelphia Union allowed 1.14 goals per game. Post Copa when they have largely been without Nogueira, that number has risen astronomically to 2.5 goals per game which over a full season. This number shows what we expected, as the Philadelphia Union tinker with their midfield to find the best possible combination the normally stout defense has struggled.

The first combination was Brian Carroll and Warren Crevalle together which seemed like the logical swap since they had deputized in Nogueira’s absence before. It may have been overstated by the field size at Yankee stadium but they did not work well together against New York City FC.

They were so bad that Curtin pulled Crevalle at the half in favor of Roland Alberg (more on that later). The combination of Alberg and Carroll worked better as they only allowed one goal in the second half on a free kick by Andrea Pirlo while being involved in an offense that scored two goals.

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Carroll and Crevalle are supposed to be the best defensive option that the Philadelphia Union has to offer but they aren’t very technical and holds back the offense from hitting its true potential. Both of them are defense-first players who don’t come forward often to link play from the backline to the attacking three which prompted a shift in the game against the Chicago Fire.

Spurred by his brace against the Harrisburg City Islanders Jim Curtin started Roland Alberg at the central attacking midfield spot while sliding Tranquillo Barnetta back to the box-to-box role against the Chicago Fire. In the first half, it looked like things were going swell for the Philadelphia Union with them up 3-1 with the only blemish being a goal in the second minute by David Accam. Roland Alberg was also rolling with a first-half brace to propel the Union ahead.

Jun 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Roland Alberg (6) reacts to his goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half at Talen Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

But the second half brought an onslaught from Chicago as the Union almost blew the game with the final scoreline being 4-3. While the offense was humming the defense spurred by complacency was lackluster. One of Barnetta’s main deficiencies in the number eight role is that he isn’t very good at tracking runners through the midfield and Chicago exploited it.

Those deficiencies were exposed again over the weekend versus the Vancouver Whitecaps. When Kekuta Manneh scored in the 41st minute, direct blame for the goal went to Josh Yaro while that’s fair because he took a horrible angle in defending the speedy Manneh (rookie mistake) he should have never been put into that situation.

If you rewind the play you see Manneh running by Tranquillo Barnetta who was supposed to be marking him in that situation hanging Yaro out to dry. It has only been two games with barnetta at the number eight role but those two games have seen the Philadelphia Union allow five goals, an unacceptable tally.

Jun 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Fire forward David Accam (11) and Philadelphia Union midfielder Brian Carroll (7) argue over a call during the first half at Talen Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Jim Curtin needs to come up with a solution to the defensive issues because both Barnetta and Alberg need to start for the team. Especially since Alberg has scored six goals in his last three games but they can’t both be on the field with Brian Carroll also being there. Carroll is not athletic enough at 34 to cover the space left open by having two attacking players in the midfield and Crevalle doesn’t have good enough instincts for the role. Leading us to one player within the organization who could deputize in the role Derrick Jones.

Derrick Jones is currently with Bethlehem Steel FC and the 19-year-old has made nine appearances for the club. The Philadelphia Union academy product was the first ever signing for Bethlehem Steel and he has impressed in the USL this season. Jones is an athletic defensive midfielder and he projects to be a solid MLS regular, maybe even a star. The Union have had success with Bethlehem Steel callups in Josh Yaro and Ken Tribbett (he was initially signed for the Steel) and they could find success with another one.

Next: Vincent Nogueira signs with a Ligue 2 team

He’s already a fit for the system having progressed through the Philadelphia Union academy. The Union could hand him a start in Open Cup play against New York Red Bulls to see how he would perform as a test. If he passes it would make sense for him to take Leo Fernandes‘ spot on the roster because there are so many attacking options ahead of him.

Jones is the only fit in the organization who may be able to solve the devensive woes outside of a formation shift for the team, but with their success in the 4-2-3-1 you don’t want to tinker too much with that. The Philadelphia Union may look outside the organization to fill the role but the earliest that they can do that is the fourth of July when the Transfer Window opens.

Surely Jim Curtin has something up his sleeve. Hopefully he’s able to make it work before the Union slip from their perch atop the Eastern Conference.

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