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 finish our discussion with the out-of-contract players. There are eight players in the Union organization whose contracts expire after 2025. Four of them are first-teamers, and four are signed to Union II. 

For one final time:

George Marks:

Alex Hayden: Too little time for observation, but I assume he is only here until Holbrook heals from his injury.

Tim Jones: Too little observation.

Kyle Grantham: Not returning

Blake Zuschnitt: Depends on how much he contributes the rest of the season, but he’s likely not returning when Pierce Holbrook fully recovers from injury.

George Diamond: If he impresses then he probably becomes the Union’s new 3rd choice GK – assuming the team moves on from Semmle.

Chris Turk: With Semmle gone and Holbrook injured (for now), who knows. I would think they’d keep Sheridan instead, but maybe Marks can impress.

Alejandro Bedoya:

Alex Hayden: If he can accept the role he has taken this season and he is still physically able to compete, re-sign for one more year.

Tim Jones: If still willing and as physically capable, re-sign

Kyle Grantham: Retiring

Blake Zuschnitt: I think this is likely his last season as a Union player. But I foresee a coaching job, maybe a media role in his future. He’s been hosting the US Soccer podcast for the last couple months. Maybe that opens doors for him in the media-sphere. But he’s a guy that will be successful wherever he ends up, hopefully it’s 2501 Seaport Drive.

George Diamond: Well, Tanner tried to force him out at the end of 2023, but El Capitán is still here and I expect that to remain the case until he retires.

Chris Turk: Yes. He’s already taken a massive pay cut. Is worth having on the bench for one final year.

Ben Bender:

Alex Hayden: No need to keep him.

Tim Jones: Only if depth cannot be otherwise acquired

Kyle Grantham: Not returning

Blake Zuschnitt: Gone.

George Diamond: Gone. 

Chris Turk: Maybe. His injury hasn’t helped. I think they’ll move on, but perhaps will keep him for depth.

Kellan LeBlanc:

Alex Hayden: He still has plenty of room to develop, but has shown plenty of promise with Union II this season and looks to be Cavan’s replacement in the second team.

Tim Jones: Since still developing his “engine,” most likely

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: 20 appearances for Union II so far. I’d think he’s back and develops further.

George Diamond: LeBlanc is good. Union II will certainly need him at AM with Cavan increasingly getting more time with the first team (and his inevitable future move to Europe).

Chris Turk: Probably. Kept Kellan instead of Marlon. Or Marlon opted on his own to move on, but the Union seemed keen to keep Kellan during the off season.

Willyam Ferreira:

Alex Hayden: Ferreira brings something to Union II that no other player has in the system. Allow him to continue developing physically and increase his minutes as he becomes ready for more.

Tim Jones: Definitely, intriguing potential

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: 10 appearances for Union II. At 16, I’d imagine the Union want him back.

George Diamond: I’m sure Ferreira will get another deal with Union II. Wouldn’t surprise me if he becomes a Union HGP in the next few years.

Chris Turk: Probably. Little downside to keeping him around. Another call up to US Youth National Team.

Mikael Uhre:

Alex Hayden: Either let him return to Denmark or buy him down to a TAM deal.

Tim Jones: Depth for 2026’s larger condensed schedule

Kyle Grantham: Not returning

Blake Zuschnitt: I think he’s gone. Adding Iloski and Damiani don’t bode well for keeping him. His impact has been decreased since early summer.

George Diamond: Unless the Union buy him down with TAM, it feels like the Dane is on the way this offseason. He’s no longer a guaranteed starter and that is untenable for a DP.

Chris Turk: Unlikely, unless he takes a massive pay cut. I mean could the Union really keep 4 strikers? I guess so. But I think Uhre is gone and Iloski reverts to his usual striker role.

Malik Jakupovic:

Alex Hayden: He leads the team in goals with just 330 minutes played. As his head coach Ryan Richter continues to put it, “he knows where the goal is”, and that kind of striker is something to hold on to. 

Tim Jones: Definitely, intriguing potential

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: He will stay. There’s been a lot of noise around him this year, and for good reason. Kid can finish. Hoping he develops into a first-team contributor.

George Diamond: Very promising young forward. Union will keep and fans should expect to see him with the first team sooner rather than later.

Chris Turk: Absolutely yes. He is a beast even at his age.

Stas Korzienowski:

Alex Hayden: Something in his play style and confidence changed after he played in the Atlas friendly. While he is behind the homegrowns in the depth chart, he provides size and experience off the bench. Sign to Union II for another year and go from there.

Tim Jones: Pace, quickness, and agility not yet quite elite

Kyle Grantham: Returning

Blake Zuschnitt: I’d imagine at 22 without a first team appearance he’d be expendable, but he’s played a lot for Union II. I think he’s back.

George Diamond: Maybe gets another year or a 1 year + club option deal. Both first team and U II striking depth is heavy especially with Anderson, Davis, and Olivas all in the fold.

Chris Turk: Probably not. The Union II seem to start a much younger team than other MLS II sides. Maybe Korzienowski gets another year… if they need someone to participate in practices.