The Philadelphia Union host the Seattle Sounders within the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Remaining tonight, and the house workforce’s surging striker spoke to ASN about what a victory would imply for his workforce.
BY
Brooke Tunstall
Posted
September 16, 2014
9:56 AM
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HE’S IN THE MIDST of the perfect stretch of his temporary skilled profession and about to play for a significant trophy, however Andrew Wenger just isn’t about to say he’s having a breakout yr.
The Philadelphia Union attacker is a probable starter tonight when his workforce hosts the league-leading Seattle Sounders within the a hundred and first ultimate of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (7:30pm ET, GolTV), and he’ll enter the match having scored three objectives over the previous 4 video games.
It’s the perfect and most constant soccer the Hermann Award winner out of Duke has performed since he was taken first general by the Montreal Impression within the 2012 SuperDraft. However Wenger is nowhere close to glad.
“I wouldn’t call it a breakout year, not yet” stated Wenger, who was traded to the Union on April 4 for Jack McInerney. “I’ve put a couple of good games together and I feel like I’m playing well and helping the team but that’s all it is—a couple good games.”
Wenger got here to MLS lauded for his versatility: As a freshman he was named Atlantic Coast Convention rookie of the yr as a holding midfielder. Then he then slid to heart again as a sophomore and was named the defensive participant of the yr in a convention thought-about the perfect in faculty soccer. As a junior in 2011, he seamlessly switched to ahead and scored 17 objectives and logged eight assists, good for fourth within the nation in scoring and sufficient to say the Hermann, faculty soccer’s annual participant of the yr award.
Many observers projected Wenger to play protection as a professional, utilizing his offensive expertise to be one of many extra sure-footed and technical backs in MLS. However the Impression brass on the time—then-coach Jesse Marsch and technical director Nick De Santis—had different concepts.
“They both saw me as an attacker,” Wenger stated. “Not specifically as a (target forward), but a high guy.”
Wenger struggled, nevertheless, to search out constant taking part in time north of the border, seeing minutes principally as a reserve and beginning solely 15 of the 47 video games he performed. Worse, his productiveness decreased. After scoring 4 objectives as a rookie he solely scored as soon as in league play final season.
“At times I struggled figuring out my role and that probably impacted my play,” Wenger acknowledged.
Upon arrival in Philadelphia, the 23-year-old welcomed the change of surroundings. After a gradual begin he has clearly settled in, albeit in a barely new position. He’s taking part in as a hybrid midfielder-forward within the Union’s 4-2-3-1 formation, often on the left just under a lone striker.
“Playing on the left, I have to play defensively a fair amount, and that’s been positive because it keeps me more involved in the game,” stated Wenger. “Playing as a No. 9, it’s easy to drift in and out. Now I’m able to use the defense to transition to the attack. My defensive responsibilities are keeping passing lanes clogged and then I drop back and double down and help Ray (Gaddis, the Union’s left back) and give him an outlet.”
The brand new position has paid off to the tune of 5 objectives and 4 assists (he solely had three in Montreal) in 22 video games because the commerce, and the Union have not misplaced since August 15.
Wenger credit Union interim coach Jim Curtin for his elevated manufacturing: “I know what I have to do and I feel like I’m making a positive difference out there and I’m more comfortable in the role they have me in,” Wenger said. “Jim’s given me confidence and a defined role. It’s pretty easy to play with these guys I’m playing with and that has a lot to do with it. When 10 other guys are playing well it’s contagious.”
The commerce additionally introduced Wenger nearer to house. He grew up in Lititz, Pa., about an hour from Philadelphia. “It’ close, but it’s nothing like Philly. It’s in Amish country,” he stated. “But now my parents and grandparents can see me play regularly, and we can visit, so that’s been great.”
Wenger’s household will probably be among the many Union supporters anticipated to pack PPL Park tonight for the Open Cup ultimate, the primary likelihood within the Union’s temporary historical past to play for a trophy.
“This is a really big deal for the players, for the club, and our fans. And for me to be in a serious final to win a trophy, I’m more than excited—I’m thrilled,” he stated. “Any time you’re in a final you want to win. After the game you want to be the team stand in front of that sign board that says 2014 Open Cup champions and holding the trophy.”
Even when he wins a trophy tonight, Wenger nonetheless received’t name this his breakout yr. For that, he contends, there’s extra work to do.
“To continue the current form, continue scoring goals, and contributing to the team’s success. Doing that in a larger sample size, that would, I don’t want to say ‘break out,’ but it would mean something more. That’s the goal, to continue what I’ve been doing over a period of time and improve the level of play.”
Brooke Tunstall is an American Soccer Now contributing editor and ASN 100 panelist. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter.
