CHESTER, Pa. – For the Philadelphia Union, there have been a few unlikely players who have spurred the club on to their surprising two-game winning streak over two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.
But perhaps none have been as influential as Fabinho, who assisted on goals in each of the team’s last two victories – a 1-0 shutout win over D.C. United on May 17 and a 2-0 triumph over the New York Red Bulls this past Sunday.
The reserve left back also put in some important defensive work at Red Bull Arena, prompting Union head coach Jim Curtin to say it was Fabinho’s best game ever in a Union uniform – an assessment the Brazilian agreed with.
“I think it was my [best] game here in Philly,” Fabinho told MLSsoccer.com following Wednesday’s training session. “I need to keep going. I’m happy because the team needed me.”
The Union certainly did need a lift on the backline as starting defenders Ray Gaddis and Steven Vitoria were both out with injuries, center back Ethan White played through knee pain and center back/midfielder Maurice Edu served a one-game suspension.
And they got it from Fabinho, whose give-and-go with Cristian Maidana and perfect pass to C.J. Sapong led to Philly’s second goal against the Red Bulls.
Because of that play and more, Curtin wasn’t surprised to see Fabinho rewarded by being named to MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week. But the Union head coach also approached the honor with caution.
“That’s a positive,” Curtin said. “But at the same time, in this league you can’t get too high or too low. That’s a simple message. But it’s a true one.”
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Fabinho has certainly seen his share of highs and lows. Just a month before what Curtin called his best game in Philly, the left back had what was perhaps his worst, making a series of mistakes in the Union’s 4-1 loss to Columbus Crew SC.
But on Wednesday, Fabinho revealed that he had only just returned to training from an injury before getting that start in Columbus. Now, he feels completely healthy, and hopes to continue to show his offensive prowess while cutting down on some of the defensive mistakes that have plagued him in the past.
“I’m a defender,” he said. “When I go in for the attack, I can help. But I can’t go every time because I need to first help to defend. Then, when I have a chance, I can go forward and help with the attack.”
Fabinho certainly brings a more offensive element than the speedy Gaddis, who Curtin has called one of the best one-on-one defenders in the league. But Curtin said that Gaddis had a good day of training Wednesday and could be in line to return from his left ankle sprain for Saturday’s game against D.C. United at RFK Stadium (7 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
What does that mean for Fabinho, who may once again go back to the bench when Gaddis returns?
“This is soccer, man,” the Brazilian said. “It’s not just me. Who’s playing, I don’t care. I think we just need to win.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
