The Philadelphia Union prepared for a match as usual Thursday morning at the Power Training Complex. But as head coach Jim Curtin walked off the field, he received word that Major League Soccer suspended its season 30 days due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Each MLS club quickly issued statements in support of the decision, and Curtin reiterated his support of the league and commissioner Don Garber when he spoke to reporters on a conference call Friday morning.
“Obviously, some things are much bigger than soccer,” Curtin said. “At this time, the Philadelphia Union is in full support of Major League Soccer and the commissioner Garber’s decision to suspend the season. The health and safety of our community and fans is what’s most important at this time.”
The Union were scheduled to host the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday for their home opener at Subaru Park.
“We look forward to our first game in Subaru Park in front of our amazing fans, but we can assure you that will only be done when the well-being of our fans and players is ensured,” Curtin said.
The club is following guidelines sent down by Major League Soccer for all players to be away from the training complex until an update is received Monday.
Players are allowed to schedule individual workouts at the facilities, but the Union told their MLS, USL Championship and academy players to stay home.
“Every day there seems to be a new adjustment in real time. All of our players are staying away from the Power Training Complex and Subaru Park until they hear further on Monday,” Curtin said.
Curtin said Matt Freese, Mark McKenzie and Brenden Aaronson were scheduled to arrive back in Philadelphia Friday morning from Mexico after Concacaf suspended all events for 30 days, including Olympic qualifying.
“They were on a flight last evening,” Curtin said. “They will be back here in the U.S. They obviously took the precautions to make sure they purchased masks before they flew and took all the necessary safety things that go along with that.
“They will not be (tested) unless they have symptoms. As a precaution, the simple things like disinfecting your seat. They were informed to travel with masks and they take all the necessary precautions.”
Curtin also said all of the club’s staff is back in the United States and “99%” of them are in the Philadelphia area.
The Union head coach admitted it is hard to turn off the competitive side of thinking, but for now, he urges everyone to follow the recommendations in place to avoid the spread of the virus.
“As a head coach of a team and professional soccer players, I think we’re all wired to find every little advantage we can gain, and do we have a mini preseason and can we schedule friendly games to prepare us? I think that has to go out the window right now. I think the health has to come first. The competitive side has to take a back seat to doing the right thing. That’s where I’m at with it,” Curtin said. “It’s not about the next opponent, or when we play our next game, or keeping guys fit. It’s down to what is safe right now for not only your family, but everyone.
“The best advice and information I’m seeing is don’t go out and stay in your house. Be safe and not be gathering in groups and going out to dinners and stuff like that. It’s early in this thing, It’s always evolving and changing. For right now, I think everyone should take every precaution and take it very seriously.”