Examining the Current Union Striker Situation
With the addition of Andrew Wooten, Jim Curtin has a big decision to make as to who will start up top with the German-American striker. Due to off-season deals and trades during the regular season, the possible striker pairings with Wooten include Kacper Przybylko, Sergio Santos, Fafa Picault, and Michee Ngalina.
Cory Burke is currently in Jamaica for three months after he had visa issues as the Union plan to loan him to a Jamaican club to keep him in shape for the time being. Przybylko has produced the most for the Union at forward with five goals and one assist although he has missed many golden chances inside the box for the Boys in Blue. Sergio Santos has scored three goals up top as half of his games played he has come off the bench as a substitute. Fafa Picault has played in 17 games this season but only started in 10 of those games where he has notched one goal and added two assists. Michee Ngalina has only played in one game this season so he has not had the chance to prove his worth at striker for the Union.
The pairing of Santos and Przybylko has certainly not come to fruition as in the last six games they have only scored three goals combined. During those games, they have only put six shots on goal out of 29 total shots. The Union’s number one issue all season long has been putting the ball into the back of the net in the final third as both Curtin and Ernst Tanner hope the addition of Wooten can solve all the problems up top. While the team waits for the transfer window to open on July 9th for Wooten to officially join the Union, it seems to be the right time for Jim Curtin to mix up the starting forwards up top.
For the time being, Jim Curtin should try the pairing of Sergio Santos and Fafa Picault due to the fact that they brought in Sergio for a high price this offseason in hopes of him serving as the main goalscorer and Fafa is deserving of a spot back in the starting lineup due to his speed and skill at the striker position. Picault certainly showed his talent and ability to make an impact in last night’s match when he assisted on Kacper’s game-tying goal in a display of pure speed and shiftiness.
Fafa is also ready to be put back into the starting lineup and show his worth as he stated: “I hate the bench, honestly, but my job is to come on and when I do have my minutes show what I’m capable of doing.”
The experience and talent of these two strikers can lead to many chances and opportunities on goal moving forward as they both will look to make an immediate impact for Philadelphia.
In the future, the best possible pairing would include Andrew Wooten and Sergio Santos starting at the striker position due to their success and proven expertise over the years. This attacking duo has the potential to be one of the best in the league and a dangerous pairing that can increase the Union’s goal total and lead to many more offensive chances.
If for some reason that pairing does not work out in the Union’s favor, Curtin will have the option of starting Fafa alongside Wooten with his speed and skill on the counter-attack. Here’s hoping that Jim Curtin can put together a lineup that will put the ball into the back of the net consistently with the top strikers leading the way.
Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/Philadelphia Sports Nation
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