The Philadelphia Union is in full off-season mode. Now that the MLS season is officially over, the Union’s roster is undergoing significant changes.
However, a vital part is still missing.
The Union philosophy has not changed heading into the off-season.
Sporting director Ernst Tanner traded away the Union’s SuperDraft picks for the next 3 seasons.
That included 8 picks, 3 of which were first-rounders. Tanner has never been fond of the draft. However, leaving it for 3 full seasons seems bullish.
The move shows that the Union will continue to rely on the academy for young talent. While it is not the worst approach, the Union has benefited greatly from the draft. Some of the draft picks were Andre Blake and Jake Eliott. However, speaking of the latter…
The Union Roster is Taking Shape
Unfortunately, more long-time Union personnel are on their way out. Union center-back Jack Elliott is finalizing a move to Chicago. Elliott was out of contract, and it appears a deal could not be made to stay with the Union. Elliott had a down year in 2024. However, to be fair, so did the Union as a whole.
With Elliott departing, the Union’s first incoming transfer is rumored to be for CB Ian Glavinovich. With Elliott and Lowe gone, Jacob Glesnes is the only true CB on the Union roster. While bringing in a new CB is crucial, the Union’s depth is worse than last season’s. The move is an Ernst Tanner special. He is a young talent with not a lot of eyes on him. However, fans still await moves to solidify the Union’s biggest issue in 2024: defensive depth.
Along with Elliott, it is likely Leon Flach’s time with the Union is over as well. The Union roster is undergoing more changes than we have seen over the last 4 seasons. However, there is always a constant.
The Captain is Here to Stay
Longtime Union captain Alejandro Bedoya is signing a deal to return to the Union for another season. It will be Bedoya’s 10th season with the club. While Ale’s involvement on the field continues to dwindle, he is still a vital part of the roster. With the club in the state it is in, Bedoya coming back to try and steady the ship makes the most sense.
Bedoya’s leadership on and off the field will hopefully help the young academy players grow and can steady the dissenting relationship between the front office and the fans. However, the Union is still missing a vital piece.
The Biggest Missing Link
We have been removed for over a month from the Union, and we have fired long-time manager Jim Curtin. The Union has yet to name a replacement. As Ernst Tanner is building the roster without the input of a head coach, the Union will likely hire from within the organization.
What coach would want to come into a team that they had no input on roster decisions?
However, the Union head coaching job is an intriguing position. Ownership will not ever open the checkbook. A factor that leads to Curtin’s dismissal. Nonetheless, the position still has some nice perks. For one, the Union Academy remains one of the best in MLS. If a coach can build young academy players to stars like the Union did, he can quickly build a name for himself.
To go along with that, Cavan Sullivan remains a big piece of the puzzle. Sullivan has American soccer eyes on him at all times. It is no secret Sullivan has a deal locked up to go to European giants Manchester City when he turns 18. A coach who comes in and facilitates his growth will not only have American praise but overseas as well.
The longer the Union waits to appoint a new manager, the more restless everything grows. This is a crucial part of Union history. How the club handles their plummet from the top of the league will tell how things will go over the next many seasons.
Can they build back to the top?
Or will they fall back to being underachieving newcomers like they were when the club started?
A great place to start is to hire a new head coach.
PHOTO: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation
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