Photo credit: Paul Rudderow
With Ernst Tanner and Jim Curtin set to face a press conference this afternoon, the Union have released an update on off-season roster moves for much of the team.
IN
Options picked up
- Jack Elliott (D)
- Olivier Mbaizo (D)
- Keegan Rosenberry (D)
- Derrick Jones (M)
- Fafa Picault (M)
- Ilsinho (M)
- Cory Burke (F)
Note that keeper Andre Blake; defenders Mark McKenzie, Matt Real, and Auston Trusty; midfielders Brenden Aaronson, David Accam, Alejandro Bedoya, Anthony Fontana, and Haris Medunjanin; and forward C.J. Sapong were already under contract for 2019.
OUT
Declined options
- Jake McGuire (GK)
- Richie Marquez (D)
- Josh Yaro (D)
- Marcus Epps (M)
- Fabian Herbers (M)
- Adam Najem (M)
- Jay Simpson (F)
Additionally, midfielder Borek Dockal’s loan has ended, sending him back to Henan Jianye of the Chinese league.
UNCERTAIN
- The team declined their contract option for Fabinho, but are currently in talks to bring the Brazilian back.
- No announcement if the team will exercise Polish forward Kacper Przybylko’s option.
- No word on keeper John McCarthy, defender Ray Gaddis, midfielder Warren Creavalle, all of whom are out of contract.
Dockal’s gone. we need a new 10
https://twitter.com/phillysoccerpg/status/1064569917410865152?s=21
He also said at the end of that comment that if they can bring hm back they will.
Yeah but Dockal expressed a desire to return to Europe. That trumps everything.
Kind of surprised there’s no news on McCarthy, but the rest are expected for me.
At today’s conference call, Tanner indicated that McCarthy is looking to become a starter somewhere rather than Blake’s backup
Whither Ayuk?
Disappeared from the roster on MLS website rosters before the September roster freeze date. Went to a team in turkey, from unverified memory.
Gone last year.
At today’s conference call, Tanner indicated that McCarthy is looking to become a starter somewhere rather than Blake’s backup, and the team has/will be offering new contracts to Creavalle and Gaddis to try to bring them both back
Gaddis has to get a paycut.
We need an actual Left Back
I’d prefer moving on from both Creavalle and especially Gaddis.
I’d kept Gaddis as Keegan’s backup, and I’d let Creavalle go since we’ve got Jones
I liked what Tanner had to say, with the exception of Dockal of course, but that seemed to be a little more out of the Union’s hands than I had originally thought. Regardless, I do like the players that are letting go. I also liked what I heard about switching formation and not being so rigid. I;m not amped about Curtin being back, but with this team I take the little victories. I am looking forward to seeing what Tanner can do
Without Dockal or better at number 10 they are screwed. Training starts in 6 weeks. It won’t matter what forwards they keep or sign. This is as bad or worse when Barnetta left.Sounds like next season. Will,suck. What a lame ass franchise if they dont make a deal for the best attacking playmaker in Union history. Sianara Borek and Sianara 2019 season.
I’m thinking CJ gets exposed for the expansion draft and most likely has a good chance of getting picked up.
We can only hope. Only downside would be not getting anything back for him.
McGuire was a great goalie for Bethlehem and even a better person. Really connected with the fans. Sad to see him leave but I hope he gets a turn to play somewhere else. He was very talented. Showed skills to play in the MLS but never got the shot behind Blake and McCarthy. Showed he was better than McCarthy (I know McCarthy had his head injury) last year. Wish he had a better defense with Bethlehem this year. He didn’t seem to have confidence in the backs at all.