“Sometimes you just need to reset it, neutralize everything, and start fresh. That’s what we did,” Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner told Backheeled earlier this week.
When Jim Curtin was let go in November as the Union’s manager after 11 years on the job, there was little doubt that Philadelphia would look different this year compared to last. But with Bradley Carnell hired as Curtin’s replacement and with new players from the academy and abroad, the Philadelphia Union sit tied for third in MLS in points per game through the first six weeks of the season.
Backheeled sat down with Tanner to learn more about why he wants the Union to play an aggressive style, how the club has found early success after Curtin, a potential MLS calendar shift, and more.
Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
