The Philadelphia Union have just finished their fourth season in the North American top flight, finishing 7th out of 10 in the Eastern Conference and 14th out of 19 overall in the league. This was a season which began with tons of promise but one that ultimately saw them miss the playoffs for the third time in their young existence. The 2013 season was by all means a mixed zone,  with an organization and roster trying to shed its past image of 2012 and step out a new team in 2014 and beyond.  

The past was very much still present during the 2013 season, with much of the roster having been built by Piotr Nowak (who was fired in 2012 after a poor start to the season).  Coach John Hackworth, after taking over for Nowak in 2012, quickly showed the fans and players that he and Piotr were on different pages when it came to player personnel and man management. The Union finished the 2012 season under Hackworth with a sense of excitement, even if fans didn’t know exactly what direction the Union were headed in.

With Hackworth at the helm for all of 2013, there was an opportunity for Hackworth to tweak the roster to fit his desired playing style, even if meant shipping out or not playing big names and fan favorites. The Union spent much of the season trying to move players from the Nowak era including Bakary Soumare (to Chicago), Freddy Adu (to Bahia in Brazil), as well as letting Roger Torres sit the bench until his contract expired at the end of the season.  All of these players were Nowak’s guys and the Union were prepared to sacrifice the 2013 season to open up the salary cap for 2014. So where do they go from here?

According to the standings, the Union were the 14th best team in MLS in 2013, or 6th worst, however you prefer to look at it. Their final position in the standings is ultimately a reflection of their roster.  There is a strong case from fans that this roster is in danger of being left behind in the new MLS. The league has had tremendous growth in the past four years and is no longer the league of 2010, when the Union began play. There is more money in the league than ever before, and owners are willing to spend it. It is no secret what is being done in New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City, etc. Before you know it, the big spenders are taking 5 or 6 of the 10 playoff spots right from the get go. So where does that leave the mid-level spenders like the Union?

According to the Union's CEO, Nick Sakiewicz, the Union will spend the necessary money this offseason to bring in quality additions that complement the existing roster. Dissecting the Union roster can be an absolute field day for any fan, and below I break down each position and its needs for the starting XI for 2014 (assuming a 4-4-2 formation):

Goalkeeper:  Zac MacMath has gone through the growing pains of a young keeper, and while he still has much to prove, he did show an improvement in 2013 posting a league best 12 shutouts.  It is fair to say he has earned his starting position on this young team but he needs to be challenged by a veteran to improve (Kevin Hartman would have been perfect going into the 2013 season).

Right Back:  Sheanon Williams continues to hold down this position with his ability to get forward and contribute to the attack, as well as defend with pace and power. He has also covered at center back when necessary, but his best position has always been on the right side of the defense and appears to be a lock to start going forward.

Center Backs:  Jeff Parke was a surprise addition to the Union in 2013 replacing Carlos Valdes, who returned on loan to native Colombia to try to win a World Cup spot on his national team roster. Parke stepped in and paired with Okugo, filling the void left by Valdes in an admirable fashion. Most fans would be happy to see Parke return to the back line in 2014, just not with Okugo next to him.  It is time for Okugo to return to the midfield, where he admits he prefers to play, and for the Union to use a DP spot on a proven, yet young center back (see Omar Gonzalez and LA Galaxy). In theory, they could offer that DP contract to Valdes in hopes to lure him back, but it is a safe bet he wants to test his career in Europe after the World Cup (assuming he makes the roster) and he will have plenty of admirers.

Left Back:  Jordan Harvey anyone?  Gabriel Farfan? Ray Gaddis? Fabinho? All of these players have had an opportunity at one time or another to play left back for the Union. Gabriel Farfan seemed to be the most reliable and attack minded of the bunch, but it was made clear he didn’t want to play that position and was eventually traded to Chivas USA (a move he may or may not regret at this point).  This is a position that has continually been a weak point for the Union and they haven’t found anyone who can match Sheanon William’s production down the right side. Do the Union draft a left back with their number 2 or 6 pick in the draft? Maybe. Do they offer a non-DP contract to a player like the American DaMarcus Beasley who plays in Liga MX? The front office said they were prepared to spend, didn’t they? Either way, the Union don’t have anyone on their roster that is capable of playing left back at the calibre they need.

Defensive Midfielder:  Brian Carroll has been a stalwart as the holding midfield for the Union since joining in 2010. This season Hackworth trusted in the veteran so much that he decided to make him the team captain.  He represents many of the characteristics a coach loves: determination, heart, desire, leadership and many more. But is he the best holding midfielder on the team? There is no denying the talent that Amobi Okugo possesses, and while he has played above expectations at center back the past year and a half, he was raised to be a holding midfielder. His range of passing is top quality, and he reads the game at a very high level. Okugo is also too small to be an international center back, and with aspirations for the international level, he will most likely only get there playing the holding midfield role. Does he deserve to start over Brian Carroll, the veteran, who hasn’t done much wrong? Do you bench your captain? This may be the toughest personnel change Hackworth has to make going into the 2014 season.

Attacking Midfielder: This position has also never really been grasped by a Union player. Roger Torres, Freddy Adu, Keon Daniel, Kleberson have all tried to add an attacking flair to the Union. Some have shown glimpses of creativity and vision, but none have been able to settle in and own the position. Torres has had his defensive deficiencies visible for some time now, and even though he is capable of providing great service to the forwards, he usually gets outplayed in the midfield and is not the Union’s answer.  Freddy Adu was brought in by Nowak to fill the void, but was then shipped out by Hackworth as quickly as they could make a deal.  That deal was for Kleberson. The 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil has always had the ability to change games, but Union fans must realize he was never a long term solution, just a counterweight to get rid of Adu’s contract. So the search for a No. 10 continues, and with quality attacking midfielders few and far between, look for the Union to tout a DP contract to someone wh is capable and proven.

Right/Left Midfielders: Danny Cruz and Michael Farfan are the first two players that come to mind when thinking of wingers. Ever since coming over from DC United in 2012, Cruz has been a mainstay in Hackworth’s lineups. Hackworth loves his pace and determination, his non-stop chasing and the energy he brings to the field. Cruz is an admirable player and someone who undoubtedly gives his best every game. The only problem with Cruz is that he doesn’t have much ability to cross the ball, take on defenders 1-1, or finish in front of goal.  He gives you that up and down the sideline stretch, but lacks quality in the attacking third of the field. There is a case to be made for Michael Farfan to play over Cruz.  Farfan has the tools to be a success in MLS. He is creative, quick, thinks the game well and usually adds value everytime he is on the field. The Union will need another winger (maybe play Le Toux there) to pair with Michael Farfan, but it isn’t Danny Cruz, and it all depends on how many dimensions Hackworth wants his team to have. They certainly lack the attacking dimension thus far.

Forwards:  Jack McInerney and Conor Casey were much of the focus in attack in 2013. McInerney was able to provide goals early while Casey held up play well and was a menace to central defenders.  They are both at different spectrums of their career. Jack is only 21 and just beginning his career. He represents the new era of strikers in MLS. His runs, timing and positioning are first class and allow him to play off the other striker. Casey is 32 and has been a reliable striker in MLS for most of his career. He does the dirty work up top, holding up play and occupying defenders, and he loves it. It is a safe bet that the Union will look to bring in a proven international forward this offseason to lead their line. The question is who will they pair that player with? My bets are on McInerney but you have to feel Casey still has something to add to that conversation. Le Toux’s days are numbered at striker but with the assist machine that he was last year, he certainly could find a place on the right wing.

The Union front office has one goal, to win the MLS Cup. They most likely will never outspend the heavy hitters of MLS, but it isn’t necessary to spend tons of money to win championships. What they do need to do is sort out their roster and think hard about which players actually improve them.  Players like Daniel, Hoppenot, Lahoud, Fabinho, etc are all wonderful personalities and good professionals, but are they really the talents to take the Union to the next level? As I stated before, this is no longer the league of five years ago. It is of a higher quality, with teams searching the globe for talent, and the Union will have to join in if they are to be successful at winning MLS Cup.

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