Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union Communications

We conclude our multi-part evaluation of Keystone Sports’ two professional soccer teams’ rosters with an unofficial depth chart combining them all into a single visual summary. Players unproven at the first team level are italicized. To make the lay out work, we excluded first names and abbreviated positions. Strikethroughs are players we expect not to return for 2025.

We use boldfaced superscripts to indicate cogent detail about current roster status using these symbols:

• * = free agent,
• ^L = loaned away,
• ² = Union II professional,
• ^A = Academy Amateur,
• ^L2 = Loaned to Union II,
• ⁱ  = injury recovery all season,
• ^PO= Purchase option decision pending.

Unofficial estimated depth chart as of October 29^th, 2024

GUESSING FORWARD

We make two longer-term strategic assumptions about the roster rebuild over the next three or more years.

• It will take a minimum of two years for current MLS NEXT Pro players to become full time MLS starters.
• The Union will not use major money to buy attacking talent from outside the organization until the new midfield and a revamped defense are in place and somewhat proven.

For 2025 we suspect these additions will be acquired from outside.

• A proven MLS-ready center back able to play next year as part of a three center back backline.
• A proven backup first team goalkeeper with Oliver Semmle being moved on.
• If Flach does not return, a proven MLS-ready midfielder capable of playing the Union’s system.

We anticipate these internal signings will occur in the offseason once other roster-clearing moves have been made and the San Diego expansion draft has been survived.

• Neil Pierre to the first team as a Homegrown
• Frank Westfield to the first team as a Homegrown
• Gavin Wetzel to Union II.

Assumptions about pending 2025 options decisions

• These 2025 contract options are certain to be declined.
  • Joaquin Torres.
  • Matt Real.
• The option that probably exists will be exercised, if it does.
  • Carlos Rojas .(UnionII)
• This Purchase Option will perhaps declined, perhaps exercised.
  • Jamir Berdecio.
• These options will probably be exercised.
  • Isaiah LeFlore.
  • Brandan Craig.
• This option is certain to be exercised.
  • Jack Elliott.

We should learn how good our guesswork has been about the internal moves discussed above on or about November 27th when MLS requires those decisions to have been made. (Teams still in the playoffs have appropriate extended deadlines.)