Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union

PSP writers look into the site’s “infamous cracked, cloudy, inaccurate crystal ball” to predict the Union’s pending end-of-season roster decisions. 

As the MLS roster freeze date rapidly approaches, we have compiled our individual “seat-of-the-pants” intuitions where each “not guaranteed” individual stands vis-à-vis returning next season.

We have categorized the 24 pending decisions into four groups for discussion: Option, Loanee, Amateur, and Out-of-Contract. 

We begin our discussions with the 2026 club options. There are ten players with an option for next season. Seven of them are signed to first-team contracts, and three are signed with Union II. 

Mike Sheridan:

Alex Hayden: Keep for another year as depth.

Tim Jones: Re-sign with Union II as the 4th professional keeper.

Kyle Grantham: Not Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: He’s back.

George Diamond: Likely staying for another year. Could hinge on how his run with U II goes in light of their recent injuries.

Chris Turk: Probably, unless Marks somehow shines (in practice, hopefully not in a game) with the first team.

Nathan Harriel:

Alex Hayden: Keep, so long as other clubs do not come calling.

Tim Jones: Proven and positionally versatile

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: He will be back, doesn’t seem like an expensive player to keep around. The positional flexibility and ability in the air that he provides is valuable. The man’s an Olympian!

George Diamond: Yes. (unless a European club swoops in with an offer)

Chris Turk: Yes. Even if Westfield starts, Harriel is depth and can play CB as has been shown.

Olwethu Makhanya:

Alex Hayden: Absolutely. He has improved a lot over the last year and provides pace to the center back pairing that was not there in 2024. His decision-making will better with time. 

Tim Jones: Most improved player on either professional roster

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: Hard to say. I would love to have him back, but his play this season will likely keep Ernst’s phone line busy. He could easily be in Europe in the Winter where he can develop a little further. Would like to see his decision making on the ball improve slightly, but at 21, he’s been a revelation that Ernst needs to do what he can to keep him around.

George Diamond: Club will pick his option up, he’s proven himself as one of the best prospects at the club.

Chris Turk: Absolutely. No doubt. Still raw, as his two yellows demonstrated. Lots of upside. I guess he could be sold, but I think it would have to be a mind-blowing offer. I think he is the future at CB.

Rafael Uzcategui:

Alex Hayden: Of the current crop of Union II players, Uzcategui has been the most consistent on the pitch every week. He has adjusted well to the system and continues to improve his English. At the very least, take his option, but he’s one to consider promoting to the first team.

Tim Jones: Deserves a chance at the first team

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: I’d imagine he’s back. Started 21 games for UII.

George Diamond: Yes.

Chris Turk: Probably, given the lack of depth at CB.

Oscar Benitez: 

Alex Hayden: Keep him as depth for both CB and DM.

Tim Jones: Athletic enough to replace Pierre with the second team

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: Why not keep him around. 16 appearances. Can’t hurt to try to develop center back depth.

George Diamond: Gut instinct says Union II pick him up.

Chris Turk: Probably not, even given the lack of depth at CB. Pierre seems to the designated heir to Glesnes, and Uzcategui is a year younger.

Danley Jean Jacques:

Alex Hayden: Certainly one to hold on to.

Tim Jones: Keep control of a rare valuable MLS commodity

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: He’s another player that has had a really strong season. I like the running and athleticism he provides in the double pivot. I don’t always love his decision making on the ball. But his supporting runs from deep lying areas, and his willingness to run out of possession is something Ernst and Carnell have to love. He stays.

George Diamond: Will stay and likely ends up becoming one of the higher paid players on the team.

Chris Turk: Absolutely. Unless a mind-blowing offer is made for him. Which is more likely than it is for Makhanya. But I still think he is back.

Nick Pariano:

Alex Hayden: Another of the most consistent Union II players this season. His presence on the field does a lot to keep the group cohesive. Take his option, move him out of spot 31, and allow him to be first team depth at DM.

Tim Jones: Now enough DM experience to try for a first-team role

Kyle Grantham: Not Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: Don’t know a ton about him, but by all accounts, he’s looked decent for Union II. Would like to see him stay and grow into the defensive midfield role he’s taken on, and be a depth piece in seasons to come for the first team.

George Diamond: Tricky one to call. He is a Union Home Grown Player but has only dressed for the first team once this season although he did play in the Atlas friendly.

He’s the captain of U II, and has played well for them these past 2 seasons, but is still pretty deep on the depth chart for the First Team. Think the Union keep him on for another season as there are a lot of guys ahead of him but one or two could be on the way out.

Chris Turk: Maybe. Especially if Probst’s buy option is not exercised.

Indiana Vassilev:

Alex Hayden: Seems like coach’s guy, and not a bad option to have on the bench.

Tim Jones: Reliable, versatile, starting-capable depth

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: He’s a Carnell guy, albeit expensive. He seems like a great locker room presence. I think he stays.

George Diamond: Carnell loves him, that’s why he sent STL up to $1 MIL Garber bucks for the Mustached Midfielder. Even with Iloski likely taking his starting spot, Vassilev can still offer a lot to this team. He’ll be back in 2026.

Chris Turk: Yes. I can’t see Cavan Sullivan  (or Iloski) starting full time next year. Vassilev is certain to come back unless a new attacking mid is brought in from some where. The fact is Carnell wanted him so they got him from STL. Likely to stay.

Tai Baribo:

Alex Hayden: You absolutely have to hold onto him, whether that’s just by taking his option or offering the open DP slot.

Tim Jones: Keep control of a rare, valuable MLS commodity

Kyle Grantham: Sold

Blake Zuschnitt: I would not be surprised if he’s gone. He’s beyond the point in his development for a move to Europe it seems. His movement in the box is some of the most instinctive I’ve seen, and I’d love for the Union to sign him back purely based on his nose for goal. Damiani just does everything else on the field slightly better than Baribo, and they’ve made significant investment in him.

George Diamond: He’ll be back. Only real question is will he become a DP or not?

Chris Turk: Definitely.

Chris Donovan:

Alex Hayden: He is clearly well-liked by Carnell and company. Keep him as cheap depth, but do not get in the way if he can get himself a move to USL. 

Tim Jones: Versatile, smart ,pacey, willing depth

Kyle Grantham: Not Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: Tough question. I think Carnell likes him some Chris Donovan purely for his running and pressing ability out of possession. I think he’s a depth piece again here next year on the cheap.

George Diamond: Gut instinct says ‘No’. On the other hand: Carnell seems to value him and he is cheap. So it could go either way.

Chris Turk: Maybe if Uhre is not offered a contract. Donovan is nowhere near the striker Uhre is (be honest, Donovan fans, he’s not even close), but they do like having 4 strikers on the first team for practices. I’d be fine if they moved on and gave the fresh legs / eating minutes role to someone else.