Union at Fire
5 p.m. on TCN
Fresh off a two-week international break, the streaking Union (2-1-0) work to continue their strong start, when they take on manager Veljko Paunovic and the new-look Chicago Fire (0-1-2) on Saturday at Toyota Park.
Here are five things to know:
1. Staying Hot
With back-to-back wins under their belt and the wind seemingly at their back, the Union's momentum made a hard stop to observe a two-week international competition break, prior to Saturday's match.
"The past two weeks have been difficult because we're itching to play," Union manager Jim Curtin said. "The guys have put in a ton of work, we've had a lot of intensity in training. Two sessions a day, guys itching to get back out and get some live action against a good team in Chicago."
The goal was to stay focused. Although the Union are riding high following wins over the Columbus Crew and New England Revolution, they will be facing a competitive but still winless Fire team that is angling to turn its season around.
"We know that environment very well," Union forward C.J. Sapong, who is coming off a two-goal effort against the Revs, said. "They're going to be up for it and looking for a win. It's important for us to focus on what we do best, stay true to our game."
2. Blake ready, Barnetta, Nogueira training
It's been a busy start for Andre Blake. The young goalkeeper made waves around the league and even earned an MLS Player of the Month nomination after rattling off 16 saves, a clean sheet and two wins in his first three starts for the Union.
And that was before he manned the net for the Jamaican National Team during the break, in a 1-1 draw and 3-0 loss to Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying matches.
"If you watch the game, he kept them in it," Curtin said. "He made big saves. Andre's done a good job of going about his business and performing for us. It's no coincidence he's up for Player of the Month."
Yet, while Blake, despite the travel, is expected to start Saturday, two other players have their status in question. Midfielders Tranquillo Barnetta and Vincent Nogueira - both battling lower-body injuries - are training and expected to be available for selection, though their full capability is unknown.
"Vincent has been getting through training fine," Curtin said.
Barnetta did suffer a minor setback to his knee injury, but according to the manager, will be available Saturday. It would be his first regular-season action in 2016.
3. Paunovic and the Fire
The Union will meet an old friend Saturday, when they match up against first-year Fire manager Paunovic. The former Union midfielder was a fan favorite during the 2011 season.
"For me and my family, we are very grateful to the Philadelphia Union that gave me the opportunity to finish my career in the best possible way, playing on a successful team that reached the playoffs," he said. "The team treated me very well, all of Philadelphia, the city, the fans, the club, it was a great experience for me and the best way to finish my career."
Paunovic, who retired after the 2011 season, said he gained a familiarity with MLS during his time with the Union. That brief but meaningful stint is the reason he's back in the league now as a coach.
"It was a great experience for me learning about the league and understanding what I had to understand," he said. "It's related to the current situation that I have now as a coach here. It's in part because I had that opportunity in Philadelphia. I am very grateful."
4. Keep an eye on …
Union: With Nogueira down, Warren Creavalle has more than made up the difference. The midfielder, once considered a forgettable depth option, has surprised many with his play as a starter, both pushing up the field and tracking back, making him someone to watch Saturday.
"We brought Warren in last season for some cover, for his versatility centrally and out wide," Curtin said. "He put in a ton of work in during the preseason. He's an example for the rest of our guys, especially our young guys, that you never know when your number will get called. And when it is, grab hold and don't let go."
Even with Nogueira approaching 100 percent health, the Union are likely to tap Creavalle again Saturday. It's long been Curtin's strategy that you don't mess with a winning product, and the Union are 2-0-0 with Creavalle as a starter.
"This isn't a revelation," Curtin said. "We know what we had in Warren. He's not just doing it in the games, but day-in and day-out in training, he has been confident and playing at a very high level."
Fire: This selection was originally set for speedy forward David Accam, who smashed the Union this preseason with two goals and an assist in a 4-2 Fire win. But with Accam out Saturday with a knee sprain, it's attackers Gilberto and Kennedy Igboananike that the Union must focus on.
"Igboananike doesn't get the credit he deserves," Curtin said. "But he's a dangerous player and a good attacker. Gilberto has quality in front of goal. I think [Saturday's match] will be a bit of cat and mouse. Whoever takes their chances in both boxes offensively and defensively will be the team that comes out with the result."
5. This and that
• Two-game winning streaks are rare for the Union, who earned their second two-game run since the start of 2014 last week. But three-game winning runs are even rarer. The Union's last three-game win streak was from Aug. 24-Sept. 6, 2014.
• The Union are 5-5-5 all-time against the Fire and 2-3-3 on the road in the series.
• On June 5, 2010, the Union faced the Fire for the first time, but fell, 2-1, at Toyota Park. For the Fire, Baggio Husidic and Marco Pappa scored, while Danny Mwanga notched a goal for the Union.
