Photo Ryan McElroy
Tuesday afternoon, December 9th, 2025 the Philadelphia Union announced the resolution of 19.8-year-old Homegrown midfielder David Vazquez’s status. Since at least July 28th,he had been loaned to 2025 MLS expansion side San Diego FC with an announced option to purchase.
San Diego has purchased him, for straight cash not General Allocation Money (GAM).
Terms
At the time of late July loan, the Union acquired $50,000 in 2025 GAM and $50,000 in 2026 GAM.
With the permanent transfer announced today, Philadelphia are guaranteed to receive $250,000 cash. They will also receive future trade and sell-on percentages that are unspecified. And if Vazquez meets unspecified future performance metrics, Philly would get an additional $250,000 in cash.
The numbers seem neither outrageously low nor outrageously high.
Commentary
Vazquez did not take San Diego by storm. He started two games in the Leagues Cup shortly after his arrival. The first was against Mazatlan during which his statistics suggested he played the full match and made some impact on it. He started their next Leagues Cup match against Tigres, during which he came off after an hour with no statistical evidence of having made much of an impact. He had earlier scored a goal against Tijuana in an exhibition. That he had an impact against lesser Mexican sides but not a greater one fits into the competitive balance of Liga MX and MLS.
Vazquez almost always dressed for San Diego’s subsequent MLS matches, but rarely saw minutes. On San Diego’s roster as it was before they announced their end-of-season changes, he was one of only two teenage midfielders alongside 19 y/o defensive mid Pedro Soma. Both Vazquez and Soma have been part of their US U-20 squad, where Vazquez almost always played as a winger or a second striker not a mid.
For Union II he played as both an attacking mid and a defensive mid. He is a fearless ball winner in addition to his offensive creativity. Marlon LeBlanc used him as the first-choice replacement for Cavan Sullivan in 2024 in addition to starting as a wide flank mid when Sullivan was available. Ryan Richter used him next to Nick Pariano as a member of the double six double pivot where his ball-winning and offensive creativity matched Pariano’s.
Vazquez’s main drawback as a soccer player is his slight physical stature. He fought minor injuries throughout 2024 in MLS NEXT Pro, although he was healthier in his time with Union II in 2025. Bradley Carnell gave him only one appearance with the Union itself in late June. We have wondered whether his slight stature might be why Carnell and the rest of the technical staff did not value him more highly. He more than checks all their other boxes we suspect.
Implications for the Union in 2026
Vazquez remaining on the west coast leaves the Union a man thinner in the midfield.
Hence negotiations with Alejandro Bedoya and Ben Bender add a smidgen of urgency to their successful resolution. Carnell’s future bet that Cavan Sullivan will be ready to play a bigger role among the first team’s midfielders in 2026 (see his comments during the end-of-season press conference) takes on a similar increased urgency. So does Quinn Sullivan’s recovery and rehabilitation.
Were a credible MLS midfield veteran familiar with the Union’s counter-pressing style to become available in the re-entry draft or on waivers, or from sources outside the league, the club might well make a move. Next year will see participation in both the Concacaf Champions’ Cup and the Leagues Cup (whenever and however that turns up in the year’s schedule).
Champion’s Cup means the Union opens its season playing two games a week. The further they advance, the longer they play two games a week. Negotiating with Bender and Bedoya makes a lot of sense, as might picking up someone else. We expect off roster Homegrown status and short-term agreements to be well used next year since they will help accommodate a larger squad in reality even as MLS maintains its 30-man rosters officially.
Related to talent acquisition, maybe the U should pick up Carlos Colonel as a backup. He is reported to be a free agent. He was solid when he played for us, so a known product..
What’s with the Coronel Colonels? Andrew Rick was a stud backup this year and the successor in 2027. Why waste money there instead of elsewhere on the squad? Literally the only three things we don’t need are keeper, fullbacks, and D-Mid.
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With cheapskate ownership we can’t waste resources on a third string keeper.
That part isn’t just cheapskate ownership. With salary cap they can’t waste resource on a third string keeper more than minimum salary like George Marks is probably getting.
I get it but I am just not sure they should or will keep Blake much longer. He has missed a lot of games in the last three years due to injury.
Coronel is too good to be a backup. He’s gonna start for somebody in this league (or some other).
It appears that the transaction is beneficial for both sides. Vazquez gets a better opportunity for playing time closer to home and the U get some cash and potential future revenue.
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Coronel is likely looking for a starter level contract so I would guess he would want more than the U would pay.
In re Coronel, he played for Bethlehem Steel FC in the 2019 season, not all of it by memory, in direct competition with Matt Freese. Phil Wheddon was the Bethlehem goalkeeper coach, his first year in the organization.
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THey have already evaluated him and let him move elsewhere.
Tom Bogert is reporting that Union are close to selling Baribo for $4 million to DC. Wonder if that means they are looking at renewing Uhre or bringing in someone else…
And now reports have Glesnes to LA for $1 million. I guess they think Neil Pierre is ready? Or planning on Harriel at CB? Hope they know what they are doing.
Well, with Glesnes and Baribo now suppposedly out the door to LA Galaxy and DCU, I guess we’re not gonna be running it back next year.
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The fire sale of the Union has started. But guess what? we’re getting EZEKIEL FORKING ALLADOH!
$4M for Baribo is insane. They should absolutely take that.
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I’m less happy about shipping out Glesnes. Not sure what the motive or plan is there, unless they think he is likely to backslide. (Or unless they’re convinced they can get somebody as good for cheaper.)
Same blueprint?
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AI Overview
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Yes, the year after St. Louis City SC won the Supporters’ Shield in 2023, under Bradley Carnell as coach, they did trade away key players like Jared Stroud, a significant attacking piece, along with defender Lucas Bartlett, in January 2024 for Chris Durkin, indicating roster changes after their historic first season.
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The Trade: St. Louis sent midfielder Jared Stroud, defender Lucas Bartlett, and allocation money to D.C. United for midfielder Chris Durkin.
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Key Player Departure: Stroud was a vital part of their attack, ranking fourth in goal contributions in their 2023 championship season and being a top crosser.
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Context: This move followed their successful 2023 campaign, showing early roster adjustments as they transitioned from an expansion team to a contender, though Carnell’s coaching tenure with St. Louis ended, and he later moved to the Philadelphia Union.
St. Louis CITY SC did not make the MLS playoffs in 2024… see above.
I think selling Baribo for $4 Million makes sense. He is a great finisher and one touch guy, but he can’t go one on one and disappeared in many games. Regarding Glesnes, that is a really curious one. Yes, he is much slower than in the past and is getting older. To me, the real question is who is going to fill in at the back. They must have someone external in mind. We are down to 1 CB and Harriel who does a decent job. Normally need 4 guys at the position. I truly hope there is a plan here and not just a silly money grab to pay off for other moves. So, by my count the Union have reduced their wages and payouts while bringing in a $4.5 million unproven individual. Don’t forget Glesnes salary too. Are we being cheap as always, Mr. Sugarman or what?????