MLS

Ilsinho Shining Off The Bench For Surging Philadelphia Union

Ilsinho Shining Off The Bench For Surging Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union sits atop the Eastern Conference and midfielder Ilsinho has played an important role in the team's success.

Jun 29, 2019 by Graham Ruthven
Ilsinho Shining Off The Bench For Surging Philadelphia Union

What a difference a year makes. June 2018 saw the Philadelphia Union win just three of four matches. In fact, the Chester club won just three of nine matches played over June and July last year. 2019 has been very different for the Union, though.

Philadelphia currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with many considering Jim Curtin’s men among the frontrunners for MLS Cup. Thirty-three-year-old midfielder Ilsinho has played his part in this success, scoring four times in the league, including a hat-trick in a comeback win over the New York Red Bulls, arguably the highlight of the Union’s season so far.

The Brazilian hasn’t been able to nail down a place in Philly’s first team, though. Many believe Ilsinho should be in the lineup, but Curtin’s formula of using him to make an impact off the bench is working. FloFC caught up with Ilsinho ahead of the trip to Yankee Stadium to take on New York City FC, covering a number of topics.


FloFC: What has been the difference for the Philadelphia Union this season? Why are things going so well?

Ilsinho: This season we have nice players, a new team. The big difference this season is we’re winning games. Last season we played good, but we didn’t win. This season, we are playing good and winning games and that’s really the biggest difference.

Is this the best soccer that you have played in your time as a Philadelphia Union player?

I think I’m playing some of my best soccer ever. I’m feeling good, I’m in good shape, I’m fit. I’m feeling nice, just really good.

How far can the Philadelphia Union go this season?

The way we’re playing, how we’re playing, we can make playoffs, we can make finals, we can go to the MLS Cup final. We can be champions if we play the same way. Winning games, playing our best away and dominating at home, we can win the tournament.

Are Los Angeles FC the team to beat in MLS this season given the incredible start they have made?

Sure, they are good. They show you very nice soccer, they have very good players, but we have a lot of good players as well. We’re playing good soccer. When we play against them here we just have to deal with it and play smart and intelligent soccer.

After your hat-trick against RBNY, a Philly sports blog ran a poll on what your new nickname should be. The choices were: Skillsinho, Cheat Code, The Can Opener, Jogo do Woao, Smoke, Shapeshifter, and Magnet. Which is your favorite?

I don’t know, it’s too hard to choose just one. I have no idea.

You played for Shakhtar Donetsk and won the UEFA Cup there. How would winning MLS Cup compare to that achievement?

The UEFA Cup is different. It’s an international tournament. We were young, we were underdogs in that case for the whole cup. Also here, in the MLS, we are the underdogs. Nobody is giving a lot of credit to our team, so we can come in as a little bit of a surprise and maybe win the cup.

Why has Shakhtar Donetsk been home to so many Brazilian players over the years? What is about that club that attracts Brazilians?

They have a lot of scouts in Brazil. They like the way the Brazilian players play, I think that’s really the whole reason.

As a Brazilian who has played for the Selecao, how do you rate your country’s chances at the 2019 Copa America?

There’s a lot of good players. They can invite like 23, 46, 80 different players in so it’s hard to say, but I think Brazil can do well in Copa America. 

Neymar is injured for the tournament. If you were Tite, would you play Roberto Firmino or Gabriel Jesus as Neymar’s replacement in attack?

I like both of them, Firmino and Jesus, they are very good. But If I was there as a coach, I’d prefer players like Costa or Willian, a little bit more aggressive and skillful with the ball.

Would you ever consider returning to Brazil to finish your career?

No, I think my time in Brazil is over. I hope to finish my career somewhere here. I think now that the culture is different in Brazil, they are looking for younger guys and I’m happy in the United States. I think I’ll play another three or four years max. It would be great if it could be here, but who knows. 


Graham Ruthven is a soccer writer based in the U.K. He has written for the New York Times, Guardian, Eurosport, Bleacher Report, and others.