The excitement and hopes for a new MLS season are higher than ever for fans of the Philadelphia Union ahead of the start of the 2016 Major League Soccer season. Having missed out on the playoffs by a whopping 12 points last season, falling to Sporting Kansas City in the US Open Cup on penalties, and prone to episodes of hopefulness followed by utter dismay, Union fans will be hoping an off-season of major overhaul will bring them closer to the glory they been craving since the team first took the pitch in 2010.

Union Take The “Early Bird Gets The Worm” Approach

These changes began even before the 2015 season came to close with the sacking of Nick Sakiewicz on October 2, 2015, just three weeks before the final curtain fell on the 2015 season. Fans were overjoyed following several years in a contentious relationship with Sakiewicz. And the fans whose cheers of “Sack Sak” claimed a failure to invest in the club and perceived poor management of player acquisition on the part of Sakiewicz as the motivating factors for their support of his dismissal. Owner Jay Sugarman would later be quoted as stating the difference in philosophy in regard to the management of the team as his own motivating factor for making the move.

Three weeks later, on October 26, 2015, former United States Men's National Team member, and at the time sporting director of Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, Earnie Stewart was announced as the club's next Sporting Director. The appointment moved Philadelphia fans in their very core, having felt it to be the sign of intent they had been waiting for for years. Stewart officially assumed the role on January 1, 2016 bringing with him an impressive resume of having signed and sold USMNT stars Jozy Altidore and Aron Johannson among others for big money during his time at the club. The team also managed one KNVB Cup win, a runners up medal in the Johan Cruijff Shield, and two UEFA Europa League quarter-final appearances on a budget - all the while competing against the much wealthier Dutch giants, PSV, Ajax, and Feynoord - during his five years at the club.

Off the field, his commitment to “moneyball”and youth investment have been clear, having only paid a transfer fee for two of the incoming players, with an average age of 24.

Out With The Old

Overall, the Union said goodbye to 14 players in the off season, many of them natives or long time players at the club. Duo Zac MacMath and Zach Pfeffer were traded to the Colorado Rapids as part of a deal to acquire defender Josh Yaro in the Superdraft, while fan favorites Cristian “Chaco” Maidana and Andrew Wenger were traded to the Houston Dynamo along with having received general allocation money, targeted allocation money to acquire midfielder Fabian Herbers in the SuperDraft and the ever inconsistent Ethan White was traded to New York City FC in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

The Union also declined options on a number of players: Midfielders Eric Bird and Fred remain jobless, while Antoine Hoppenot and Jimmy McLaughlin found a new home in USL expansion side FC CincinnatiDzenan Catic would also join a USL expansion side in the form of Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Center back Steven Vitoria did not have his loan renewed and returned to Benfica, Danny Cruz returned to the US with NASL side Minnesota United following a spell in Norway with Bodo/Glimt. Finally, super sub Conor Casey would be the first Union player to take advantage of the newly developed Free Agency rule, signing with Eastern Conference rivals Columbus Crew while also taking a subtle jab at the Union when claiming he signed with the Crew to “win trophies.” Midfielder Michael Lahoud will spend the 2016 on loan to the New York Cosmos as part of the deal for Walter Restrepo.

In With The New

The Union took a defense first approach to their recruitment this offseason. Of the 12 players signed, six are defenders, having picked up defenders Josh Yaro, Keegan Rosenberry, Taylor Washington, and Mitchell Lurie in the SuperDraft as well as midfielders Fabian Herbers and Cole Missimo. Philadelphia also brought in defender Anderson Conceição on loan from Tombense Futebol Clube as well as goalkeeper Matt Jones from BelenensesKen Tribbett has also been brought in from the Bethlehem Steel for defensive depth. However, Earnie Stewart's crowning achievements are likely to be the more experienced midfield trio of Chris Pontius, Walter Restrepo, and Roland Alberg who have been brought in from DC United, the New York Cosmos, and ADO Den Haag, respectively.

Preseason, A Sign Of Things To Come?

On the field, the Union's results have been decidedly mixed in preseason. Having won their first ever trophy in the form of a preseason tournament last season, Philadelphia has had some ups and downs this year in Florida as the on-field product at times reflects the team's tender age on paper.

As of the writing of this article, the Union are 2-2-1 in preseason, having lost 1-0 to NASL side Jacksonville Armada before crushing John Hackworth's US U-17 side 5-0 after which they were defeated 4-2 by the Chicago Fire in a mistake filled practice match. Since said drubbing on February 11th, the Union have followed up their misfortune with a hard fought 1-1 draw with fellow MLS side DC United, and finally defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0 on Saturday night. As it stands, Sebastian Le Toux is the team's leading scorer in preseason with three goals followed by Leo Fernandes with two goals. However, it's newcomers Chris Pontius and Fabian Herbers who have reportedly impressed the most in preseason along with the yet to be officially signed, Ilsinho.

Philadelphia will be looking to emulate DC United's worst to first story of the 2014 season but with an increasingly younger side taking the field, it remains to be seen whether such a transformation will be in the cards, at least as quickly as DC United managed to do. That being said, the defense first approach isn't the only thing they have in common.

Schedule Breakdown

Before Philadelphia dream of sitting atop the Eastern Conference, they will be faced with the bitter reality that is their schedule. The men from Chester could be in for a rude awakening on opening day of the season as they travel to Frisco, Texas to take on last year's Western Conference winners FC Dallas -  whom they lost to at a similar stage of the season last year at PPL Park.

After this, the Union continue their tough travel, this time to MLS Cup Runners-Up, Columbus Crew, before finally making their home debut against the New England Revolution at the end of March. April should be far more hospitable with home matches against Orlando City, New York City FC, and the San Jose Earthquakes, as well as a trip to CenturyLink Field to take on the Seattle Sounders.

May will see the Union take on the best and worst of the Western Conference, welcoming the LA Galaxy to Talen Energy Stadium and then taking a trip to Colorado to play the Colorado Rapids, sandwiched in between several Eastern Conference opponents.

June should prove a month of points with games against New York City FC and Chicago Fire, among others following the break for the Copa America Centenario. Away trips to the Houston Dynamo and Montreal Impact complicate what's been the Union's worst month historically in July, added to the fact that they'll have to play D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls back to back.

Finally, the home stretch of September and October could be make or break for the Union as it has in previous seasons, with six of the Union's seven matches coming against Eastern Conference opponents including home matches versus the New York Red Bulls, Montreal Impact, and Orlando City SC who are all expected to be in and around the playoffs spots come the end of the season.

Projected Lineup:

GK: Andre Blake: A given, Jim Curtin has already declared Blake is number one keeper. However given his injury history and international duty expect to see plenty of John McCarthy as well.

RB: Ray Gaddis: May be pushed for the starting spot by Keegan Rosenberry which could see Gaddis move to left back.

CB: Richie Marquez: Marquez is the Union's best centerback, expect him to start every game if possible.

CB: Anderson: The Brazilian has started aside Marquez in several pre-season matches, given his experience relative to Yaro he's like to start initially but may lose his spot depending on form.

LB: Fabinho: The player most vulnerable in this line, despite oddly being the Union's best defensive player statistically last season. Tthere are plenty of players chomping at the bit to steal his spot.

CDM: Maurice Edu: Edu will start versus Dallas should he recover from injury in time. Otherwise, he still remains the Union's captain and their go to guy in midfield. Don't expect another defensive stint.

CDM: Vincent Nogueira: As we've seen in past seasons, his defensive qualities are not the best but his passing is second to none.

LM: Tranquillo Barnetta: Given Alberg's central preference, expect Barnetta to start out wide. But make no mistake, he's the team's #10 and their heartbeat.

CAM: Roland Alberg: The Dutch midfielder can play in a number of positions. Given the fanfare around his signing, expect him to start.

RM: Chris Pontius: Pontius is one of the few players on the Union squad who provides true width, important for a team that likes to cross so often. Many will hope he returns to MVP caliber form.

ST: C.J. Sapong: Sapong remains the Union's best option up top. But should he lose form or go down injured, don't be surprised to see Sebastian Le Toux, or even Herbers or Alberg.

General Predictions

Leo Fernandes replaces Brian Carroll as the go to guy to fill in at midfield. Sebastian Le Toux becomes the next super sub coming off of the bench for C.J. Sapong when he inevitably gets tired in the 60th minute of games. Fabian Herbers pushes Alberg for a starting spot, and Eric Ayuk gets loaned to the Bethlehem Steel (especially true should Ilsinho sign for the Union). Chris Pontius goes down injured long term once again. Anderson proves to be a flop like Kleberson but Josh Yaro, unprepared for the level of MLS, makes a series of errors that derails his confidence.

Best Case Scenario

Buoyed by finally having some defensive consistency, the Union finish 5th on the back of key players Tranquillo Barnetta who challenges for the most assists in the league, C.J. Sapong finally breaks double digit goals, and Andre Blake is awarded Goalkeeper of the year. The Union finish ahead of New York City FC who despite finally gaining some chemistry and balance with a year under their belts for their elderly Designated Players continue to leak goals. Orlando City SC, whose stellar offense propels them only so far as their defense, and the continued lack of Aurelin Collin through suspension lets them down. DC United, whose failure to find a 10+ goalscorer, and injury list comes back to haunt them. New England Revolution, whose defenders perform inconsistently, Gershon Koffie proves not to be a suitable replacement for Jermaine Jones, Lee Nguyen continues a downward trend which causes Charlie Davies and Teal Bunbury's goal tallies to lower while Diego Fagundez is sold to Europe in the summer. The Chicago Fire, whose defense improves substantially with the acquisition of Brandon Vincent and others, but a failure to properly replace Harry Shipp causes them to lose a true creative presence and recreate 2014's tie talley of 18 matches.

Worst Case Scenario

Tranquillo Barnetta and Chris Pontius go down injured long term, and Anderson proves to be a flop while Yaro is not MLS ready. Maurice Edu once again misses time through injury and is replaced by an aging Brian Carroll who gets burned for pace regularly. C.J. Sapong's goal scoring is streaky while his replacement Sebastian Le Toux suffers the same fate. Through some combination of injury and international duty, 3rd choice goalkeeper Matt Jones winds up starting eight matches and proves to be worse than Rais M'Bohli. Despite an improved defensive record, a failure to score goals sees the Union finish in 9th once again, missing out on the playoffs.   

Whether or not the Union do wind up reaching the holy grail, one thing is for sure: the MLS needs to come back quick! 

VAVEL Logo
About the author