July 12, 2016
Kevin Kinkead/for PhillyVoice
The Union trained inside Talen Energy Stadium ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Crystal Palace F.C.
On a normal day, two or three reporters will go down to Chester to watch 15 minutes of Union training and grab a few quotes.
It looked completely different on Tuesday, with the Union training inside Talen Energy Stadium as visiting Crystal Palace F.C. held an open session on the practice fields next door.
About a hundred fans came out to watch the English Premier League team, which kicks off its preseason with a friendly match against the Union on Wednesday. Palace will then travel to Cincinnati and Vancouver to wrap up their U.S. tour.
There's a good crop of Palace players in town, including Wilfried Zaha, Jason Puncheon, and Damien Delaney. New signings Andros Townsend and James Tomkins are also with the team. Some will join Palace after the Philadelphia game, such as Yohan Cabaye, Joe Ledley, and the players who had summer international duty.
The timing of this game might not be ideal for the Union, who host New York in league play on Sunday. The U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal is the following Wednesday in New England and Bethlehem Steel plays on Thursday at noon.
It should be interesting to see how Jim Curtin approaches this game.
"We'll treat it the right way and play a top group," the Union manager said. "Again, we'll be smart with a knock or two that happened in the D.C. United game. Ilsinho has a little groin issue, so we'll be smart in that regard. Tranquillo (Barnetta), we'll see where he's at. I think it's a great exercise for us to see where we stand. We'll also get some of our younger guys some experience. It's much needed experience. They've worked very hard over the course of the season. To be rewarded by playing a great opponent to see how you measure up, that's good."
Alan Pardew and the Crystal Palace players greeting fans. pic.twitter.com/14eJZQMO1t
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) July 12, 2016
Alan Pardew has toured the United States before, but this is his first time in America as Crystal Palace manager.
A few years back, he helmed Newcastle United on a preseason tour that included stops in Kansas City, Orlando, and Columbus.
Philadelphia is a new destination.
"I'm not so familiar with the city of course, but the history, and the sporting history of America is something that's very interesting to me," Pardew said at Tuesday's press conference. "It's been that way all of my life. I've kept a close eye on the NFL. It's great to see MLS growing like it is. It really is. I'm so pleased that the standard is increasing, year on year. I came out here two years ago with Newcastle and they were very tough games. We expect it to be even tougher, particularly with Philadelphia doing so well. We're looking forward to a tough exercise for us."
The standard has certainly increased, there's still a long way to go. Philly Voice asked Pardew if his scouting department pays attention to MLS, and whether or not the players here are good enough to join Crystal Palace or other EPL teams.
"I think the whole of the Premier League is looking to MLS to see the young players that are coming through," he said. "It's a different kind of system here, as far as the contracts and the way you have to go about a transfer. I think you're going to find that when you start producing real talent, and they start producing on an international stage, you're going to find that Premier League clubs and Serie A clubs will come looking, for sure. This country has a fantastic sporting pedigree and product, and without a shadow of a doubt, that's going to be attractive to us. We took our scouting team to the Copa America and we watch MLS with interest."
Pardew was also asked about the idea of aging stars coming to the United States, and whether or not MLS deserves the "retirement league" label from foreign fans and media.
"In a way, it's probably the best way to do it, in my opinion," Pardew explained. "Because what you're bringing in is vast knowledge and experience to pass on to the younger players that you want to produce. You aren't taking younger players from other countries. You want to produce your own. Bringing in senior players, and with all due respect to Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard would get in my team, so I wouldn't think they're at a retirement age. But of course, their profile, and the fact that they can promote MLS, I think it's a very good thing and you shouldn't look at it as (a retirement league). You should look at it more like it's a glass half full, when it comes to those guys. They're going to pass on the professionalism that will carry on for years at a football club. It's about the culture you bring to your team. I know those guys and they will bring a culture to their clubs."
Alan Pardew stopping to greet fans before @CPFC training pic.twitter.com/zQugsHr6D4
— Kevin Kinkead (@Kevin_Kinkead) July 12, 2016
The aforementioned groin issue might keep MLS player of the week Ilsinho off the field on Wednesday night.
Philadelphia's Brazilian midfielder scored twice in Saturday's 3-0 win to earn the national recognition.
Ilsinho spoke with Philly Voice and the Delco Times on Tuesday via translator.
On player of the week honors -
"Very happy, but the most important thing is that the team won and that we're playing well. It was good to get three points."
On getting his first MLS goal -
"Very important. When you come into a new team, to score that first goal, that's really one of your main goals. It took more than 15 games, but it's good for the rest of the season and my confidence just keeps growing."
On turning his elite-level skills into goals and assists -
"It's good to do tricks and flicks and things like that, but the most important thing is for me to get goals and assists and help the team win."
On taking more shots -
"It definitely gives me more confidence to shoot the ball more. As soon as you get the first goal, you want to get the second, and the third. It keeps rolling."
On health and fitness and understanding the league -
"I'm trying to improve that fitness every game. The level was tough when I first got here, but I think I'm adjusting well."
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @Kevin_Kinkead
