Photo by Stephen Speer

The longest shortest offseason in MLS history is almost over, and I could not be more ready.

Yes, this is technically the shortest-ever break between MLS Cup and opening kick, but I was surprised at how glad I felt when preseason preparations began—how happy I was to see the players’ faces again, to think through matchups, to ponder form and tactics, to hope for glory.

Being a Union fan has not always been pleasant. But the organization is in such a good place now that those early days (and not-so-early days) seem a long time ago. We live in a world where the Union, despite spending less than their rivals—in some cases by orders of magnitude—is one of the best teams in the league, with a distinctive style, coveted academy operation, and respected head coach and front office.

What a time to be alive (specifically in regard to following the Union; I make no claims about the rest of our lives).

I’ve said to Chris Gibbons, my colleague here at PSP and podcast co-host, on multiple occasions, that what I really want from the Union is stability. I want a team that will perform at a relatively high level, predictably. That is, I want a team that wins more than it loses, is trying to do things rather than simply reacting, and responds to the inevitable losses in ways that show growth and prevent losses from piling on top of one another. That’s a pretty good description of the Union since Ernst Tanner arrived.

If anything, that undersells what the Union have been able to do—the wishlist above does not include challenging for MLS Cup every season. Having lived through the first ten years, I value my heart too much to aim that high. Besides, MLS is a parity league. It’s too difficult to always be there at the end (unless you’re the Sounders, apparently). Yet here sit the Union, winners of the Supporters’ Shield in 2020, an Omicron outbreak away from the Cup final in 2021. As MLS grows and evolves, it may not always work this well, but right now, the Union have found a winning groove, and it feels so good.

But let’s take a moment to review this short offseason as it comes to a close. We’ve had enough action to fill two or three or ten previous Union offseasons. Two DP forwards have arrived, in Julián Carranza and Mikael Uhre (though visa stuff has prevented Uhre from joining the group yet), and two incredibly important players have gone, in Kacper Przybyłko and Jamiro Monteiro.

The new guys

Let’s look at the incoming guys first.

It’s always difficult to predict how a new player will settle in to a team and perform, but it’s hard not to be excited by the two newbs. Carranza is the perfect buy-low, high-potential player. Evidently, his defensive metrics are just what the Union look for from their forwards, and he’s got pedigree. It didn’t work in Miami (does anything?), but the stable environment of the Union might unlock him.

Meanwhile Uhre seems like a player created to lead the Union’s line. If you wrote down all the characteristics of what the Union need in a lead striker, it would just be a sketch of him. Whether he can translate his effectiveness in Denmark to MLS remains to be seen, but he has the tools the team wants.

Former Union players

Now for the exits.

Przybyłko was never the root problem for the Union’s lack of scoring punch, but he wasn’t the solution, either. It was totally reasonable for him to want a long-term contract, given his output over the last several seasons. It was equally reasonable for the Union to be reluctant to give it to him. Trading him to Chicago made sense for both parties, and I wish him well. I hope he and Fabian Herbers have a great time together in what is a wonderful city. I don’t know if the money the team received in trading him was necessary to get Uhre, but with Uhre’s arrival, losing Kacper should be just fine. Presumably, his goals can be found in other places now.

Losing Monteiro is different.

Honestly, I had a whole column written about the Miro trade, but you should just go read Chris’s piece from Tuesday. If you do, you’ll see a range of reactions in the comments. Many—most?—wish Jamiro well and thank him for his service. Some think him a viper, good riddance! I’m not interested in passing judgment on Monteiro the man, except to say that being unhappy isn’t a crime and doesn’t make you a bad person.

And people don’t need to make sense.

Miro could have wanted to leave in the summer and then wanted a long-term contract in the winter. His motivations for those desires could have been multitude—it hardly matters. In the end, the Union, after a difficult six months with Miro, decided to move on from a player that was both: (1) arguably the Union’s best-ever, and (2) maybe surplus to requirements.

A new reality

Think about that.

Jamiro Monteiro was probably this Union team’s best player. He was also not necessary.

I’m not saying that the Union are better off, playing-wise, without him. There’s a good argument to be made that they are objectively worse off without Monteiro. But he wasn’t needed.

When previous high-profile departures happened, like with Vincent Nogueira or Bořek Dočkal, it felt terrible because—What was left behind? In short: not enough. But now, even with Monteiro gone, the team has eight quality midfielders for four positions.

That’s crazy depth.

Losing Monteiro will certainly hurt, at some point, maybe even when San Jose comes to town. But moving him was the Union betting on themselves. It was a bet on the future. It was a bet that Leon Flach can develop some offensive skills to complement his engine. It was a bet that Jack McGlynn’s left foot will produce a lot of chances and possession. It was a bet that Paxten Aaronson rotating with Dániel Gazdag is better for the team than him being behind both Gazdag and Monteiro.

I like that bet.

I’ll miss Miro (and Kacper, too). He was a relentless force, and no small part of what made the Union into what they now are.

Now we get to see what they can be next.