CHESTER, Pa. – After serving as one of the team’s top options off the bench for two-and-a-half years, Antoine Hoppenot hasn’t played a minute for the Philadelphia Union since Jim Curtin took over as interim manager in early June.
But following an impressive loan spell with the Harrisburg City Islanders, that could change Thursday when the Union host the Chicago Fire at PPL Park (8 pm ET, ESPN2).
“Antoine is in the discussion for sure,” Curtin said. “He had a tougher middle part of the year, he went up to Harrisburg and has been on a good run for them. He’s a guy that is up for selection for sure. We all know Antoine well to know what he does give us that maybe we don’t have a lot of in the target forward spot, which is speed.”
It was Hoppenot’s speed and energy that helped him score four goals as a rookie in 2012 before logging three goals and two assists last year. But after failing to score in 187 minutes this season, Hoppenot was sent to Harrisburg, where he helped the team make a surprising run to the USL PRO finals.
“I asked to go play for them,” Hoppenot said. “I wasn’t getting games here. I thought maybe it was just going to be one game to get back into fitness. But it ended up being more than that. I really enjoyed my time over there. They really took me in and made me part of the team, so when I went over there, it all started clicking.”
After leading the City Islanders into the playoffs as the eighth and final seed, Hoppenot scored the only goal in Harrisburg’s upset win over top-seeded Orlando in the quarterfinals. The Islanders then picked up another upset over the Richmond Kickers, before falling to Sacramento Republic FC in the title game Saturday.
Following the second-place finish, Hoppenot and fellow loanees Jimmy McLaughlin, Richie Marquez and Cristhian Hernandez returned to Philly, where they hope they can now play a part in helping another team make the playoffs.
“You get to play some games, you get to do well in some games, you get to beat some opponents, and you definitely start to feel better about yourself,” Hoppenot said. “I’m hoping that it’ll transition into maybe getting some playing time with the Union in the final stretch here and maybe help the team make the playoffs. If I’m called upon, I’m ready to go. I’ve got the minutes in my legs. I’m game-fit right now.”
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The Union could certainly use some kind of offensive spark. Heading into Thursday’s game, the team has gone five straight halves without scoring and, to make matters worse, leading scorer Sebastien Le Toux is questionable to play Thursday due to a right ankle injury.
Hoppenot is also more experienced than the team’s two top target forward options off the bench – rookies Brian Brown and Pedro Ribeiro – and can provide the kind of speed that both of them and starter Conor Casey cannot.
“Everyone tells you sometimes you only get one chance, so I’m ready for that one chance,” Hoppenot said. “I work hard at practice. I worked hard with the Harrisburg team. So I’m waiting for that one chance, and you never know when it’s going to come.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.