Photo by Marjorie Elzey

By Ben Brecher

Let’s face it: the 2024 MLS season for the Philadelphia Union was an utter disappointment. Fans have the right to be frustrated and when faced with the possibility of an even worse performance this upcoming season, changes need to be made. I have some thoughts.

How we got here…
The Union started their roster overhaul by letting Leon Flach return to Germany and Jack Elliott depart to the Chicago Fire. Additionally, the Union re-signed club icon Alejandro Bedoya and right back Olivier Mbaizo to new deals. However, by far the biggest news was that Jim Curtin was sacked from his head coaching job after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017. It was clear from press conferences that Curtin’s tactics did not align with what Tanner had in mind. After a painfully long and drawn-out process, Tanner decided to hire former St. Louis manager, Bradley Carnell, to be the fourth ever Philadelphia Union head coach. To some, including myself, Carnell just seems to be a diminished version of Curtin. Time will tell.

Where do we go…
Union fans are rightfully angered at the path the team is on and their failure to spend money on acquiring players. New signing, Ian Glavinovich, was a step in the right direction, but this is not enough. If the Union wants to win some silverware and return to form, they need to make signings to replace the players they sell and not just bring in from the Academy or Union II. Yes, as I am writing this, I understand that the Union has been placed on FIFA’s ban list from registering players, but hopefully that problem will soon be solved, and the Union can explore the market and sign and register players. To this end, I decided to cosplay as the Union Sporting Director and advance some possible moves to improve the team.

While doing my research, I made sure to account for the many factors that define the Union, including spending budget according to Transfermarkt, age preference, and idiosyncrasies of Ernst Tanner. Additionally, I focused on the positions I feel the Union need most: center-back, midfield, and hold-up striker. I surveyed both domestic (only MLS) and international targets.
Overall, I expect that if the Union were to sign a player within MLS, he would most likely be a depth/rotation player who would be signed with GAM. I think it is fair to say that the Union are beyond the point of splashing a ton of allocation money on a player like David Accam. I anticipate the Union to do more heavy hitting on foreign players.

Domestic Targets (Within MLS):

Defenders:

George Campbell (CB)–CF Montreal—(1.2 million) — 23 years old
• With Glesnes and Glavinovich the only center-backs guaranteed first team minutes, I expect the Union to search the market for another center-back, in the same realm as Damion Lowe to help complement a center-back room with Olwethu Mahkanya and Neil Pierre. A center back who really excites me is George Campbell, currently with CF Montreal and previously with Atlanta United. Campbell can play on a three-back but also can play on a four-back when needed. Still fairly young, Campbell has MLS experience and is powerful in the air. The Union would need to make a trade here, but Montreal has a surplus of center-backs, including Joel Waterman, Fernando Alvarez, and new signing Jalen Neal. Plus, did I mention he was born in Chester, PA?

Midfielders:

Deybi Flores (CDM)–Toronto FC—(800k) — 28 years old
• I remember watching his Toronto debut Week One last season and being extremely impressed with his ability to cover ground and be an enforcer in midfield. He is the exact player the Union need and has been missing since Jose Martinez’s departure. Only 800k, he would allow Danley to move higher up the pitch, possibly playing as an 8, where in my opinion, he should be playing anyway. Also, he has a decent passing range compared to Jose.

Brandon Servania (CM)–Free Agent—(800k) — 25 years old
• Still fairly young, Servania is an above-average number eight in MLS. I see him as a younger version of Bedoya, someone who excels in doing the small things right and pressing only when he needs to. Because Servania is a coveted free agent in the league, it seems unlikely that this move will ever happen.

Nelson Palacio (CM/CDM) –Real Salt Lake— (1.2 million) –23 years old
• I have been very high on Palacio since his arrival in MLS in 2023. He is a very explosive defensively minded player who is not afraid to join in on the attack. Palacio is a workhorse in the center of the pitch, who is exceptional in winning duels in the midfield. Nevertheless, he is not a free agent and would require the Union to do something it rarely if ever does, namely, spend money. With the success of Brian Ojeda and the emergence of newfound CDM, Emeka Eneli, Palacio seems to be on the outside looking in. Also, add in midfielder Pablo Ruiz, who is recovering from an ACL tear, and there is more competition.

Latif Blessing (CM/RW/LW) –Free Agent— (1 million) — 28 years old
• For years, I have been a fan of Latif Blessing for his high work rate and ability to press and track down loose balls. Although most likely past his prime, I would not be disappointed if the Union were to take a chance on Blessing because he is a very versatile player who fits the high press Union instinct.

Forwards:

Cory Burke (ST)–Free Agent—(500k) — 33 years old
• If the Union sign a third forward, I expect it to be a foreigner. Yes, I would love it if we tried to get free agent Jeremy Ebobisse, who just signed with LAFC, or even Brandon Vasquez, who exceeded the Union budget by a lot but in reality, is the exact hold-up striker we need. Cory Burke is a free agent who is a Union favorite to many. I would love to see him join the Union and possibly retire from this club. Plus, at his age, I still believe he offers more than Donovan and Anderson combined.

Kei Kamara (CF)–Free Agent— (100k) — 40 years old
• Another hold-up striker that I would love to see play for the Union is the MLS journeyman, Kei Kamara. I understand that he is definitely not what Union fans want to see, but he is extremely cheap for a one-year deal. Mainly, I dream of him being the perfect forward to head home crosses from Wagner.

Foreign Targets:

Defenders:

Valdemar Lund (CB)– Molde– (1.4 million) — 21 years old
• Coming in at 6 ft 4 in, Lund is a tall, left footed center-back who is still young. Lund excels in sliding tackles and has a wide range of passing, something that will be missing with Elliott gone. Also, from Norway, Lund could possibly be Glesnes’ successor, something that Union fans have begun to think about as Glesnes gets older. Ultimately, with the possibility of Glavinovich getting called up to Argentina’s under-23’s, the Union need a solid third center-back and Lund would suit that role and compete for a starting position.

Lucas Lissens (CB)– Lyngby Boldklub– (850k) — 23 years old
• As many fans probably know, the Union have purchased a small share of the Danish Superliga team, Lyngby Boldklub. The Union has already shown that they are not afraid to make trade with Lyngby, signing Sanders Ngabo in 2023. In need of a Damion Lowe replacement, the Union could make a trade for Lissens, a cheap center back, to give him more playing time and maximize his potential.
Midfielders:

Njabulo Blom (CDM)– Kaizer Chiefs (on loan) — (1 million) — 25 years old
• Although currently on loan from St. Louis City, Blom was originally brought in during Carnell’s time as St. Louis’ manager. I could see Carnell bringing in a player he has worked with before and I could see Blom being a good fit given their relationship and the Union’s need for better midfield depth. However, some questions remain if Blom moved back to his homeland for family reasons.

Mattes Hansen (CDM/CM) — Paderborn — (1.5 million) — 20 years old
• In the end of the year press conference, Tanner insinuated that the Union would look to use their U22 initiative spots on a midfielder, and I think Hansen could be a perfect fit. Hansen is an up-and-coming center defensive midfielder or center midfielder reminds me of a James Sands-type of player. Great at quick short passes and would fit the Union diamond in multiple positions.

Ronaldo Pajaro (CDM) — Fortaleza CF — (800k) — 22 years old
• Perhaps if you thought Deybi Flores was a good replacement for Jose Martinez, Pajaro seems to be his duplicate. After watching his highlights, I can conclude that the Colombian midfielder is not scared to fly into a tackle or leave his feet. Fairly cheap, this seems like a flyer move that the Union should make, and I would love to see him join the Boys in Blue.

Forwards:

Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (ST/CF) — Oud-Heverlee Leuven — (1.8 million) — 23 years old
• By far my favorite player that I have scouted is Nigerian forward, Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi. His highlights show that he is a powerful, strong forward who has a very good first touch. He is lethal in front of goal and looks like an exciting top prospect. Overall, what really stood out to me why the Union should sign him is that he plays well with his back to goal and is successful at making diagonal runs inside the box. Also, for years the Union has been dying for a striker who is a pure finisher and can create goals out of nothing and in my opinion, Ikwuemesi is the solution. Around two million seems like a bargain.

Goduine Koyalipou (CF)– Lens– (1.2 million) — 24 years old
• As of January 9th, 2025, Lens of the French Ligue I signed Koyalipou to a deal worth two million dollars. You are probably wondering why I put him on this list then? Well, I did so because this is a complete missed opportunity for the Union. Koyalipou scored fifteen goals in seventeen games for CSKA-Sofia in the Bulgarian first division before moving to Lens. It pains me that the Union missed out because he checks every single box the Union is looking for in a hold-up striker. In my opinion, Koyalipou has potential to be an amazing young striker, but if he ever becomes available, the Union must try to get him.

Maurice Malone (ST) — Austria Wien (on loan) — (2 million) — 24 years old
• Under Tanner, the Union have often scouted the Austrian Bundesliga for talent, most recently signing Tai Baribo from Wolfsberger AC. Although currently on loan, Malone screams a Philadelphia Union signing in bolded letters. A German American striker who looks exactly like Andrew Wooten. Malone is having a great season, contributing six goals and three assists in sixteen matches. As mentioned, he is on loan but could be a summer signing. Definitely one to watch.

Well, there it is…my thoughts on how to fill the gaps. Will the Union sign any of these guys? Probably not. But as a 19 year-old die-hard Union fan, the prospect of another lackluster year marked by empty seats pains me to my core. I would love to hear other fans’ thoughts and Ernst if you are reading this, let’s make something happen.