The Union have looked like a vastly improved team so far this season. But that doesn't mean they're good enough to win games while playing down a man for nearly an entire half.
They learned that two weeks ago in a loss to Chicago when Warren Creavalle was shown an untimely red card in an eventual one-goal loss - and again on Saturday night when two yellows and an ensuing ejection to Roland Alberg spoiled an otherwise strong effort in Seattle.
What did the Union learn from their 2-1 defeat to the Sounders? And how will they adjust to another one-game red-card suspension as they return home this weekend? Here's a look at that and more in this week's Inside Doop:
Three thoughts about Saturday's game
1. Head coach Jim Curtin called both of the yellows to Alberg soft and he has a point. The tackles weren't necessarily malicious but they did come from behind - and Curtin said afterwards that more of those calls are being made this season. More than anything, Curtin wants his players to adjust to this new reality and try not to leave their feet on tackles. It's certainly frustrating that the Union have now lost two road games while down a man but if they can take this hard lesson and apply it to the rest of the season, it could work out in the long run.
2. Another week, another absurd reaction save from goalkeeper Andre Blake. Eight days after his stoppage-time stop preserved the Union's 2-1 win over Orlando, Blake made another stunning save in Seattle to prevent an Andreas Ivanschitz goal. Overall, the Union goalie made seven saves but allowed what probably could have been a preventable goal when Jordan Morris scored the eventual game-winner. Still, he's been the Union's best player this season and may soon start to get some MLS All-Star Game buzz.
3. Some fans probably did a double-take when they found out that Sebastien Le Toux had never before been a captain in any of the 160 games he's played in for the Union. But that had been the reality for the franchise leader in many statistical categories - until Saturday. With Tranquillo Barnetta and Brian Carroll both on the bench, Le Toux wore the captain's armband for the first time and delivered a memorable performance, scoring his 50th goal with the Union - in the place where he got his MLS start. Despite the loss, that's a cool thing to happen all in one game for him.
Three questions for the week ahead
1. With Alberg set to serve his red-card suspension when the Union host New York City FC on Saturday (4 p.m./6ABC), one of the big questions will be how Curtin replaces him in the lineup. Some of it may depend on whether Ilsinho will be able to return from the minor injury that's kept him out of the last two games. Either way, the natural fix is to give the start at center attacking midfield to Barnetta, who's come off the bench the last three games as he works toward full fitness following a preseason knee injury. If Barnetta can start and Ilsinho can come off the bench, the Union shouldn't miss too much of a beat without Alberg.
2. Another player who will try to work his way back from injury is center back Ken Tribbett, who missed his first game of the season after rolling his ankle in a scrimmage vs. the University of Maryland last week. Joshua Yaro, the second overall pick in this year's draft, started in his place and looked solid, save for a couple of shaky moments. Tribbett's starting job is likely safe but Yaro is a prospect the Union have a lot invested in for the future. So it could be an interesting battle to keep your eye on, especially if Tribbett doesn't progress as well from his injury as expected.
3. Besides Tribbett, only two other outfield players had played every minute this season before Saturday - Carroll and Keegan Rosenberry. And, in a somewhat surprising move, Carroll was given the night off on his first chance to become the eighth player in MLS history to play in 350 career games. Will Carroll hit the milestone this weekend at home? Perhaps. But Creavalle looked good in the defensive midfield role Saturday, so Carroll's playing time may start to dip soon, especially once Maurice Edu returns from injury.
Quote of the week
"To get a chance to play for a club like the Union and get a start was a great feeling," - Yaro, following his MLS debut
Stat of the week
With his goal Saturday, Le Toux moved into a tie for 35th on the all-time MLS leaderboard with 56.
Player of the week
Vincent Nogueira enjoyed his best game of the season, showing some of the ball control and playmaking abilities that endeared him to Union fans during his first two years in Philly.
