Seattle set a high bar for expansion teams in 2009. And it was clear early on that the Union would struggle to reach similar heights during their inaugural campaign.

Still, 31 points from 30 games did not do justice to a team that seemed to undo quality performances with sudden and unexpected errors. While management did not criticize anybody directly, it was clear that the Union would be making significant roster changes in the offseason.

2010 Union Roster

Jordan Harvey
Sheanon Williams
Michael Orozco-Fiscal
Juan Diego Gonzalez
Danny Califf
Cristian Arrieta
Toni Stahl
Stefani Miglioranzi
Fred
Andrew Jacobson
Shea Salinas
Kyle Nakazawa
Amobi Okugo
Jack McInerney
Roger Torres
Eduardo Coudet
Nick Zimmerman
Justin Mapp
Alejandro Moreno
Sebastien Le Toux
Danny Mwanga

Nov 24, 2010 Things got off to an exciting if confusing start as the team added strength to strength by acquiring holding midfielder Brian Carroll from Columbus in exchange for a 2011 2nd rounder and allocation money. Carroll joined Miglioranzi, Okugo, Coudet and Jacobson in the role, although that quartet would soon be cut in half.

Nov 24, 2010 The Union then lost fan favorite Shea Salinas and veteran leader Alejandro Moreno to Vancouver in the expansion draft.

Dec 15, 2010 After pulling him back when Salinas was picked in the expansion draft, the Union allowed Chris Seitz to leave in the re-entry draft. Seattle took the initiative, grabbing Seitz and trading him to FC Dallas for a 4th round pick. Fred was also taken in the re-entry draft, going to New England (he was later traded to DC United).

Dec 22, 2010 Philadelphia made a splash by signing fifteen year old Zach Pfeffer their first homegrown player. The team didn’t have to wait long for Pfeffer to make a name for himself. On Valentine’s Day, the teenager hit a scorcher in a Florida preseason friendly. Sadly (very, very sadly) no video exists. Hopefully Pfeffer will give us a personal replay during an MLS match this season.

Jan 13, 2011 The Union made University of Maryland goalie Zack MacMath their number one pick in the SuperDraft. Michael Farfan of UNC and Levi Houapeu of UMBC rounded out the Union’s draft haul.

Jan 18, 2011 In the supplemental draft, Philadelphia picked local boy Ryan Richter from LaSalle. Josh Walburn and Matthew Marcin were also chosen but failed to make a mark during training camp and are no longer with the team.

Jan 20, 2011 To round out a busy month, Philadelphia made a big, if expected, splash by signing Colombian international Faryd Mondragon, who was out of contract. They also added defender Carlos Valdez to push Michael Orozco-Fiscal in the back.

Jan 25, 2011 MacMath… Mondragon… Brad Knighton could see the writing on the wall. The Union released the man who won the starting job from Seitz in 2010.

Feb 8, 2011 It was the move that everyone expected at the beginning of the offseason. Cristian Arrieta wasn’t happy, and in early February the Union left him to his fate.

Feb 14, 2011 Through a lottery system that only MLS could conceive of, the Union acquired Chris Agorsor, a forward who played for University of Virginia before plying his trade abroad. On the same day, the team announced that Eduardo Coudet had been waived.

Feb 18, 2011 It was unexpected to say the least. Andrew Jacobson was dealt to FC Dallas for a 2nd round pick in 2013.

And that is where things stand at this point. The team has retooled the goalkeeper position, added depth in the middle of the back line, and cleared the way for Okugo to step into a bigger role by dropping Coudet and dealing Jacobson. Agorsor, Houapeu and Farfan add some dynamic offensive talent to the fold, while Carroll will step into the middle and act as a mentor to Kyle Nakazawa. Strangely, the Union have not addressed a very thin contingent of outside backs. Harvey on the left. Williams on the right. Orozco-Fiscal as cover. As they did last year, Philly seems content to carry a small roster, allowing room for movement during the season. New reports late Sunday suggest the announcement of the signing of Carlos Ruiz is imminent and goalkeeper Thorne Holder looks likely to be signed. At present, nobody else is on the horizon.

Have the Union done enough retooling to compete for a playoff spot this season?

2011 Roster (as of Feb 20)
Jordan Harvey
Juan Diego Gonzalez
Danny Califf
Stefani Miglioranzi
Sebastien Le Toux
Danny Mwanga
Kyle Nakazawa
Amobi Okugo
Michael Orozco-Fiscal
Jack McInerney
Roger Torres
Justin Mapp
JT Noone
Nick Zimmerman
Sheanon Williams
Brian Carroll (2nd round pick in 2011 SuperDraft, allocation $$)
Zach Pfeffer (Homegrown)
Zach MacMath (SuperDraft)
Michael Farfan (SuperDraft)
Levi Houapeu (SuperDraft)
Ryan Richter (Supplemental Draft)
Faryd Mondragon (free transfer)
Carlos Valdes (transfer)
Chris Argorsor (lottery)