The Philadelphia Union has acquired Forward Julian Carranza from Inter Miami CF. The Union will be sending Miami a natural second-round pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
Carranza, a 21-year-old from Argentina, will occupy a young Designated-Player spot on the roster. The main note on Carranza being a “Young Designated Player” is the Union will still be able to go after a second DP without having to pay the $150,000 to MLS for a 3rd DP spot.
Each MLS Club is allowed 2 Designated Player spots on the roster. The Union currently has Jamiro Monteiro in one. Basically, a club gets 2 DP spots and 1 Young DP spot for free. All-Union fans know the Union will do whatever they can to minimize spending.
Acquiring Carranza as a Young-DP leaves the door open for the Union to chase another DP-level player.
More on Julian Carranza
Carranza was high on David Beckham’s Miami FC board, as he was one of the first 2 players to sign with the then MLS expansion side. Carranza would appear in 41 matches for Miami, scoring 3 goals.
Those numbers don’t exactly jump out at you, however, take into account Miami had a rough first 2 years in MLS. Carranza joining a Union team that is strong defensively and he can settle into a role may be great for the young striker.
He is a talented young striker with speed and finishing ability. Something the Union needs drastically. A change of scenery could do wonders for him.
Fans Divided
Union fans are divided on this move for many reasons.
For years, Union fans have been begging the front office to open the checkbook and spend some real money on the team. With the transfers of Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie, the team has the funds to make the moves.
This isn’t to say that Ernst Tanner and Jim Curtin’s system of finding diamonds in the rough for cheap hasn’t worked. The Union has amassed the most points in MLS over the last 3 seasons.
However, imagine if the Union signed a multi-million dollar superstar as other teams do. Imagine the Union with a player like Hany Mukhtar or Josef Martinez. Guys who can change a game just by themselves.
Fans are divided because while the move is good and fills a need, it still doesn’t fill the hope of the Union going after someone big.
Both Things Can be True
Liking this move AND hoping the Union still goes after a big player can be true. Disliking the move because Carranza is unproven or because he’s not a multi-million dollar star makes no sense.
Carranza is a great low-risk high-reward move and hopefully does great with the Union.
We can all also hope Tanner isn’t done yet.
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