Season Preview: PHILADELPHIA UNION

Welcome to my 7th annual MLS Season Preview. This year, each club gets its own dedicated preview, so lets get stuck in with the Philadelphia Union...



IN:
F C.J. Sapong (12/8/14 - trade from SKC)
F Conor Casey (1/23/15 - re-signed)
M Fred (1/23/15 - re-signed)
D Steven Vitoria (2/9/15 - loan from Benfica)
F Fernando Aristeguieta (2/20/15 - loan from FC Nantes)
GK John McCarthy (2/23/15 - free)
F Dzenan Catic (3/2/15 - SuperDraft)
D Raymond Lee (3/3/15 - SuperDraft)
M Eric Ayuk Mbo (3/3/15 - free)


OUT:
M Corben Bone (12/8/14 - option declined)
F Brian Brown (12/8/14 - option declined)
F Conor Casey (12/8/14 - option declined)
M Fred (12/8/14 - option declined)
F Cristhian Hernandez (12/8/14 - option declined)
M Amobi Okugo (12/8/14 - traded to Orlando City)
F Pedro Ribeiro (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft to Orlando City)
GK Zac MacMath (1/6/15 - loaned to Colorado)
M Leo Fernandes (1/16/15 - loaned to New York Cosmos)
D Carlos Valdes (2/6/15 - loaned to Nacional)
F Aaron Wheeler (2/14/15 - waived)
D Austin Berry (3/2/15 - loaned to FC Anyang)


MANAGER: Jim Curtain


Let me just admit from the start, I'm biased. I do not like the Union. I don't like their manager, I don't like their players, I don't like their jersey, I don't like their fans. I don't have a good reason why, but each season I dislike them even more, and wish upon them failure, which makes it difficult to judge them fairly. For six seasons I think I've done a good job of it, and I'll try again here, you can be the judge.

Up front the Union have added 22 year old DP Fernando Aristeguieta on loan from FC Nantes. Talented, young, and now slightly closer to home, he could be a fine addition to the Union attack. They also added last chance hotel young talent C.J. Sapping from Sporting KC. If Aristeguieta finds form, he could be a potential golden boot winner.

In the mid, potential MVP candidate Maiden is joined by attack minded growing youngster Andrew Wenger and ageless (or aging?) Sebastian Le Toux. A potent three in a 4-2-3-1 formation popular in MLS. Holding behind them are a solid duo of Nogueira and Edu. They have the potential to be one of the best attacking midfields in MLS, but also could be one of the most disappointing.

In the back, veteran fullbacks Gaddis and Williams pair with center back duo White and Vitoria. (Vitoria, a surprising free kick specialist to watch out for if you play MLS fantasy) A solid veteran group, but nothing to blow your skirt up.

In goal, M'Bohli looks to make up for a shaky debut season in Philly, while Andre Blake will push for playing time as the future of the Union, now that Zac McMath has been cast asunder. (Or Colorado to be more precise) Neither has convinced me that they are a top level keeper in MLS, though Blake shows much more potential for me than M'Bolhi, and the time to blood a keeper is always now when he has the potential to be between the sticks for a decade or more.

Overall, Philly doesn't look bad on paper, but my gut just doesn't see them being able to pull it all together. While many think they will take the next step and get back into the playoffs, I do not have that faith.


2014 Eastern Conference Finish: 6th
Predicted 2015 Eastern Conference Finish: 8th


Thank you for reading my season preview for the Philadelphia Union, feel free to check out any or all of the previews, and as always, remember, MLS Matters.