Photo: @PhilaUnion

PSP writers look into the site’s “infamous cracked, cloudy, inaccurate crystal ball” to forecast how the Union’s season will evolve.

1) Which new signing do you think will be the most impactful this season?

Chris Gibbons: It has to be the coach, right? Time to find out which season of Bradley Carnell’s MLS tenure is the real one. The one where he won the conference, or the one where he got fired.

Tim Jones: Bruno Damiani

Chris Turk: Bruno Damiani. One of the Union’s high-priced acquisitions is bound to be a hit eventually.

Kyle Grantham: It might not qualify, but I’m doing it anyway – Bradley Carnell. There’s no bigger change to the Union in the last decade than what’s come at the helm. The Union have lost so much leadership in the last eight months from Carranza, Martinez, Elliott, Flach and McGlynn departing. Their replacements are largely untested in the MLS either because they’re Union II call-ups or from international leagues. How a new gaffer will not only integrate these players into this league but find cohesion with remaining veterans in Blake, Glesnes, Wagner, Uhre, Gazdag and Mbaizo is THE most important X-Factor for the club this season beyond any individual player. This has to be why Bedoya was brought back for another season – to try to be the glue that holds it together, and engenders buy-in from the vets who may be quick to dissent if things start rocky.

Blake Zuschnitt: Even though I think the safe bet will be Bruno Damiani, I am going to go with Ian Glavinovich. With Jack Elliott now in Chicago, and the only depth at the position being Neil Pierre and Olwethu Makhanya, I presume Glavinovich will be getting some important minutes in a system that will see the Union defending a decent bit.

Peter Andrews: Ian Glavinovich. If the on-loan center back does not get up to MLS speed quickly, the Union are going to be in real trouble on the back line, even if Jakob Glesnes recaptures his previous form. The options behind Glavinovich do not inspire confidence, at least to this point in their careers. But if Glavinovich plays well, the Union could have the kind of defensive platform that keeps them alive in game after game.

2) Which departure do you think will prove to be the most significant?

Chris G: The easy answer here is the coach too, but I’ll take El Brujo instead. I know he left midseason, but he was a team leader in every sense and a guy who set the tone. Who’s gonna step up in his stead, bloodied and bruised and STILL in people’s faces?

Tim J: Jose Martinez, because his absence is forcing a change of formation to a double pivot.

Chris T: I’m going to go out on a limb here and say Jack McGlynn. Stop trying to fit square pegs into round holes. The Union did not play to his strengths. I think he is going to be a success in Houston.

Kyle G: Jack Elliott. While he certainly dropped off last season, he’s been Jakob Glesnes’ CB partner nearly his entire MLS career – save the occasional off-day or suspension. There was so much unspoken interplay between those two that led to the Union forging the best defense in the league for years that will not be easily replicated by Glavinovich or Makhanya.

Blake Z: Jack McGlynn’s ability to progress the ball efficiently from back to front and spring attacks in one pass will be missed. But I agree with Tim’s reasoning that Jose Martinez’s departure will be felt the hardest with all signs pointing to the team moving to a double pivot midfield.

Peter A: Jim Curtin. It will take time for the club — and the fans — to adjust to a new voice after Curtin’s decade in charge. Bradley Carnell has big shoes to fill; it will be fascinating to see how he approaches tactics and squad management. I think it will be distinctly different from Curtin; it remains to be seen whether that’s for better or for worse.

3) What position(s) is the Union the most likely to bolster with in-season additions?

Chris G: The midfield. There isn’t anyone in this line that’s a sure thing right now.

Tim J: Center back, since they have only four.

Chris T: Center back. By necessity. But I think the Union midfield will need to be bolstered as well.

Kyle G: They need to bolster the back line – as they have every year since 2021. What they’ll likely wind up doing is finding a way to ditch Uhre, adding another reserve striker and for some reason even more midfield depth.

Blake Z: I could see an attacking/wide midfielder signing in the Summer. Maybe someone akin to Indiana Vassilev, who can come in and play on the wing, provide some formational flexibility, and add some depth to a group short on experience behind Gazdag, Vassilev and Quinn Sullivan

Peter A: They need another center back, but keep an eye on backup goalkeeper. Neither Oliver Semmle or Andrew Rick impressed last year, and Andre Blake’s injury problems, national team responsibilities, and age mean that the Union need a quality backup — or even a future starter.

4) Of the Union homegrown signings, which player is most likely to carve out a starting role by the end of the season?

Chris G: None of them. I don’t get the sense that anyone in this group is ready to make the leap to a starting role. The guys in front of them are just better, I’d bet.

Tim J: Frank Westfield already has from necessity. If he plays well enough he’s unlikely to give it up.

Chris T: Frank Westfield, because I see the Union hitting a rough patch over the summer, and could see them selling Wagner.

Kyle G: It’s probably Makhanya because Tanner is ridiculously high on him and there just isn’t depth on the back line to expect Glesnes and Glavinovich to play the minutes Glesnes and Elliott have for years. The midfield is too deep to expect a homegrown supplants a veteran and too much money is invested in the striker group to expect that as well.

Blake Z: Cavan Sullivan. I was impressed in the very limited time he saw with the first team last year, was active and showed attacking prowess well above his years. I like his odds to take a big leap in his development this season.

Peter A: There may be internal and external pressure to get Cavan Sullivan on the field as much as possible by the end of the year, so I’ll go with him. But keep an eye on Frankie Westfield, David Vazquez, and Neil Pierre as other possibilities.

Bold prediction time:

5) Do the Union make the MLS Cup playoffs in 2025?

Chris G: Yes, and for fun they beat Atlanta on the road again.

Tim J: Yes.

Chris T: Yes.

Kyle G: No.

Blake Z: Yes. I think the team overachieve after finding a rythm in the summer.

Peter A: No.

6) Where do you see the Union finishing in MLS and US Open Cup this season?

Chris G: 6th in the East, and the semifinal of Open Cup.

Tim J: Away playoff game in MLS. Win their home game in the Open Cup.

Chris T: 7th in the East, first round win in MLS Playoffs. Open Cup quarter finals.

Kyle G: 11th in the Eastern Conference. First game loss in Open Cup.

Blake Z: 6th in the East. Round of sixteen USOC knockout.

Peter A: Eighth in the East, so just barely in the playoffs, and they won’t get past the best-of-three series. Maybe two wins in the Open Cup.