WALLINGFORD, Pa. – Alejandro Moreno has played on a lot of successful clubs throughout his MLS career. From Los Angeles, to San Jose, Houston and finally, Columbus, the 30-year-old Venezuelan knows what it takes to win in this league.
Now, the veteran forward finds himself a part of a struggling Philadelphia Union team. Moreno understands, though, that it’s not always about talent; that the understanding and chemistry of the players has a lot to do with the success of a team.
“Everyone looks at Columbus and sees that they’re doing quite well,” said Moreno of his previous club. “But when I first got there, we were a struggling organization. It was a team that didn’t have a winning culture or a winning attitude. That [attitude] was built over time. It takes work and you have to believe in the things that you’re doing.”
Moreno looks at his current club and sees in Philadelphia now what he saw in Columbus then.
“I think we’re doing some of those things here, but it’s a matter of putting it together on the field,” said Moreno. “That’s a big question and one we have to answer every time we step onto the field.”
Up this week for the Union is the Dynamo, the team Moreno played for in 2006, scoring three goals in 38 appearances.
Although Houston are a much different side now than they were then, Moreno believes Philadelphia will face the same well-organized and determined bunch that he was a part of.
“A lot of fight and a lot of tactical discipline,” said Moreno. “They are a team that’s going to be organized and physical and [will] disrupt the rhythm on the field. It’s a group of guys that have been together for a while and that have been successful in this league for a while.”
Despite the changes in player personnel that have occurred since Moreno left the club, the forward says that Houston’s team-first style of play remains the same.
“It’s a team that depends more on the work of the unit than they do of the individual performances,” said Moreno. “That’s the personality of the coach and the organization. They’re going to work and they’re going to fight and make it difficult.”
Playing away at Houston will be a tough test for a Philadelphia side that hasn’t won a game in six matches. Moreno, however, will hope to channel some of his former team’s bite to help his current team walk away with a good result.
