Recent news shows a flurry of trade and transfer activity seldom seen from the Union’s front office. Here is what our PSP writers are thinking about it all:
Kyle Grantham: I am very curious about these big moves and Tanner not around, but my feeling is they’re executing the gameplan they already had worked out this summer. The Alladoh deal was reported months ago as in the works. The Glesnes move is the one that has me scratching my head a bit though — they JUST extended him in August through 2027 with an option for 2028. They already carried a 2026 option in his previous contract, so they didn’t need to extend him if they planned to part ways, and all they’re getting is GAM… it’s a odd move. Baribo at least fits their pattern of selling a striker as a new one comes in, one move pays for the other, even if it’s not going to improve the team’s chances of winning a cup.
Ryan Eichem: Alladoh and Baribo is a like for like swap positionally obviously, and it certainly isn’t a new idea for them to do. I like it for the money and the fact that Alladoh is younger and seems like a stud. Don’t love the idea of moving Baribo to a conference rival-ish especially after such a good season. Glesnes is a little confusing, but with Makanhya making a step up this year and Neil Pierre getting ready to come up, maybe they’re looking at youth like usual. It’s hard to get guys with legit MLS experience, especially former players of the year, though, so I don’t love it. Best case for me now is that they go and sign someone who can split minutes with Pierre and mentor him a bit as he gets used to the level. As we saw this year, the moves might not make sense but they can still work. I was very confused about Gazdag and McGlynn and was out on the team this year, then they won the shield. You can talk about the team on paper all you want, but the in pitch is what matters.
Kyle Grantham: That’s interesting because I thought the Gazdag and McGlynn moves were long overdue. Something switched off in Gazdag after his knee injury midway through 2023 and he just stopped playing with the same level of aggressiveness in the attack. I had no problem moving him. McGlynn lacked any defensive instincts whatsoever and just wasn’t a fit for the Union’s play style under either coach. The left foot is special but I’d have rather seen him as an attacking midfielder if he’d stayed than a player with any responsibility to get back on a counter, and he didn’t have the pace for that. Makhanya had a LOT of growing pains, especially early in the season. I would expect the same from Pierre. And with Champions League now in the schedule, they’re going to need way more depth than they had last year.
Dan Getelman: Seeing the amounts makes both moves make sense to me — they probably think for $1m+ in GAM they can replace Glesnes’s production and have money left over, which definitely seems at least possible. Maybe it helps make budget math work out for a free agent like Walker Zimmerman? I also assume this is matched with the rumored new guys. I also assume the Baribo move means they’re bringing Uhre back, which I’m not mad about. Otherwise, they’re putting a lot of faith in the new, young guys coming in and fitting right away. It could work like Lukic, but could also not work whether for player issues like Oravec or Makhanya initially or injuries like Glavinovich. One last thought: this leaves Kai Wagner in my mind as the last of the core group of starters of the last few years that were Tanner imports (leaving aside Blake and Bedoya who predate him, and HGs). He’s the one the team is least equipped to replace if he’s sold (or even injured), but given the other departures, his age, and the constantly swirling rumors, I wonder if he ends up moving on also. Or alternatively, if we see someone come in to be his heir. I’m assuming Jordan Griffin isn’t quite ready yet, since he just started getting U2 minutes, but perhaps that changes.
Chris Turk: Is Pierre really ready? Maybe, but I have serious doubts. I think they must have a veteran CB that they plan to bring in, using some of the Glesnes GAM. Re: Uhre – will he stay with Baribo on the way out? They still have Damiani, Alladoh, and Iloski. Is Uhre needed? Maybe if they get him at a greatly reduced salary.
Tim Jones: PSP’s Alex Hayden has just seen a social media offering that suggests Neil Pierre may be loaned to a European club this winter with an option to buy. Time frame, duration, all unknown. Only name publicly known is Borussia Monchengladbach. Were it to be true, The Union center back situation would become even more interesting.
Peter Andrews: Both moves are surprising on their face but are essentially expressions of Union Moneyball. Baribo turned out to be a very shrewd signing (once Curtin let him play), and now he was going to demand a big pay rise. His transfer fee is, I think, nearly a 3x multiplier on what they paid for him, and it allows them to bring in a prospect who is seven years younger (and could turn in an even bigger profit if he hits). It’s tough to think of a better signing than Glesnes, bought for $700k and was one of the best defenders in MLS for five of the past six seasons. He’s now over 30 and they’ll turn a profit on him, amazingly. He’s one of my favorite players in team history — a very decent guy to chat with, too — and it’s tough to see a fan favorite move on, but it’s tough to turn down that fee. I would be surprised if Glesnes is replaced by a Zimmerman-type veteran. More likely, they take a shot or two at another Ian Glavinovich-type signing. Defensive depth is the biggest issue on the team right now, though.
Kyle Grantham: It’s worth noting that Zimmerman has already agreed to a contract with Toronto FC for below DP salary. Whether that’s being bought down with GAM, no idea, but he’s gone. I wouldn’t expect them to bring Uhre back, he’s been linked with a return to the Danish Superleague and the fact that they continually chose Damiani over him despite Uhre’s greater success rate would signal he was out of favor.
Chris Turk: To reiterate what I said above, I don’t think Pierre is ready to be a first string starter. At least not yet. Glesnes and Makhanya were able to play off of each other, covering for each other’s weaknesses. I wasn’t suggesting Zimmerman per se, but someone that has some experience needs to be paired with Makhanya.
Blake Zuschnitt: I think getting rid of the rights to Jamir Johnson might be my least favorite move of all the moves they made, by far. Selling Tai Baribo, as Peter stated, is in line with the money ball ideology the Union have purported. Baribo just isn’t a fit with Damiani up top, and the team seem committed to getting Damiani minutes. Alladoh seems to be a signing that will play off of Damiani in a way similar to how Uhre does, as he seems fast and willing to take the top off the defense with runs in behind. Selling Glesnes, while he was generally very good last year and they just extended him, it makes sense to move on from him for the return, and he’s not the same player he was pre-injury. So maybe they will take a swing at another young center back in the winter transfer window.
But getting back to the Jamir Johnson move: I strongly dislike this. He’s been pretty highly touted for the last few years, and has played well in big spots, including the MLS Next all star game last season, and multiple runs at the GA cup. Perhaps his development has plateaued? I will say, every time I’ve watched him, I’ve been very impressed by his game. He plays more of a winger role though, and that may be the rationale for offloading him prior to getting a shot with the first team here. I don’t agree with moving on from a very promising young talent just because he doesn’t play a position currently utilized at the first team level. It’s a bit of a head scratcher for me.
I have an inside scoop on Kai. . .and Union fans won’t like it. Can’t share here but keep your eyes and ears out. We are good friends with his good friends. They won’t be leaving the area for good but he may be suiting up in the EPL in a few weeks. They love NJ and won’t to keep there home long term. He may not be able to pass up the offer he’s getting. Something he’s always dreamed about.
There were rumors of Championship sides looking at him last year — Coventry and Burnley (now PL), but I haven’t seen a word about him other than Miami looking to buy him to replace Alba. Would much rather he head to England than Miami. Not sure we have a replacement for him at all, which is worrisome.
EPL teams have expressed interest for awhile with reciprocal interest. At 28 y/o, his time for EPL is now or never.
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Sugarman would also have incentive to sell him given his age before he’s over the hill. With the contract extension through 2026 with an option for 2027, Sugarman can pocket a nice ROI from a willing purchaser.
Blake asks a hypothetical regarding whether there’s a sense or concern that Johnson may have plateaued. It’s a good one, and seems to be a factor in the decision along with the Europe intention talk.
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Johnson was at the recent U-17 World Cup. The USMNT won’t knowingly give youth time to dead end prospects. Still, at his age, there’s many future variables unlike those who have entered their 20s.
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The Aaronson brothers come to mind. They showed promise but future concerns existed. They wanted to go to Europe anyway, so Sugarman made the deals while the weather was good.
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Sugarman pocketed around $14M from Brenden and $4.7M from Paxten by selling them in Europe with further sell-on provisions. They turned out busts in Europe, but he got a sweet ROI on them.
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It seems Sugarman hedged his bets again with the Glesnes/Johnson sale. He can get up to 2.2M from it with 1.1M guaranteed along with a future trade and sell-on percentage for Johnson. Whether Johnson is a bust or success, Sugarman guarantees something decent for his ROI.
Brenden isn’t tearing up trees, but he’s definitely not a bust. Playing minutes and contributing in the best league in the world. He’d likely thrive a level down.
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Neither ever seemed high on skill, but both are tremendous athletes with pace and stamina for days. Was surprised when Paxten came back to MLS.
To clarify, I meant being busts in top level Europe, not being unfit for pro soccer anywhere. I also wish them well, not failure.
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Unfortunately, Brenden’s stats with Leeds stink. Sofascore rated him the worst player of the 2022-23 PL season, his loan to Union Berlin was anemic, and he’s still struggling back with Leeds.
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Returning to the US like Paxten would be a good decision to avoid getting sold or loaned to a lesser team where he’d rather not be.
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Your assessment of their strengths and weaknesses are spot on along with physicality issues. They’re spirited with good cardio. Their problem is converting that into production.
after all it is a business, and if only he would plow some of the roi back to improving the team for the fan base.
We’ll need new ownership for that. He won’t sell this asset anytime soon.
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With minority partners, Sugarman bought the Union for $30m in 2009. Kevin Durant now has a piece, but the Union is now worth around $700M. With league growth,o players development system, and $100M WSFS Bank Sportsplex, Sugarman has a golden nugget. A Sheikh Cashwadi or someone else with FU money who wants club ownership glory with trophies will have to buy him out.
The Union should be keeping Baribo and placing him up top with Alladoh. Sell Damiani asap. He’s a wash. One of the worst signings in union history. Baribo can win you an MLS cup. Gotta pay him and keep him here. Yes, these are just my opinions and I know, easier said than Done. ……
Do far he’s been a dude, but Blake Zuschnitt expressed a reasonable take on that.
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Quote: “Baribo just isn’t a fit with Damiani up top, and the team seem committed to getting Damiani minutes. Alladoh seems to be a signing that will play off of Damiani in a way similar to how Uhre does, as he seems fast and willing to take the top off the defense with runs in behind.”
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The club will see how things flow this year with the new setup before calling it a day on him.
Repete I hear what you’re saying but, Damiani has no touch and his passing ability is below par. Is the goal to have Damiani be the hold up and distributing forward? If so, I don’t see that happening.
Damiani took the same half season as everyone else to get used to the league. In the second half of the season he had better numbers than Baribo.
Who is going to offer $4m for Damiani? That is why they are selling Baribo instead of Damiani. IF they could get $4m for Damiani they’d keep Baribo in a heartbeat.
As soon as he starts scoring we will sell him
I think a lot of this is what we as Union fans ultimately subscribe to. Its moneyball to the letter, buy low, sell high, build prospects. To their credit, they’ve mostly made it work through Tanner (sans a Perea here or a Joaquin Torres there), but the bottom line will always defer to dollars and cents, not wins and losses, so long as Sugarman is at the helm.
What concerns me is what this club will look like when Sugarman is without his “Billy Beane” as its looking more and more like Tanner won’t be back. Moneyball only works when you find the guy from the 3rd division of the Spanish league that turns into a full 90 starter like Tanner is so apt at doing. When you sell off quality pieces but don’t find an appropriate replacement, or swing on guys that ultimately turn into Anthony Fontana enough times, you turn into the FC Dallas’ of the world who do just enough to survive but are never really a threat to compete. Its bargain-bin roulette. Its frustrating, and all we can hope is that they right the ship the way we as fans would like them to do. Either that, or hope he sells the club.
Yeah, Tanner was really successful at IDing quality players available at bargain prices and bringing them in. Carnell’s strength has been a willingness and facility in working in young players and getting them up to speed.
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The one deficit this team has always had outside of 2022 is scoring goals. It’s always been a chore. Every striker the club has ever had has been streaky – more so than average – and unable to create their own chances – poachers who never get service, etc. Baribo had a decent run and then seemed to fall off.
I would argue that Baribo got hurt, was trapped in a war torn region, and then for some God awful reason fell out of favor and was no longer started.
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Even when he was started, or came off of the bench, for some reason Baribo was constantly paired with a partner that offered no compliment to him, at all (Damiani)….versus the partner that he had much of his success with (Uhre)…who also was due for a new contract and also happened to fall out of favor.
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Was this some negotiating strategy to hope to resign them both cheaper, or something? Because in theory, and in practice, it made no sense and I’m confident that the stats bear that out. Damiani should be moved at any cost, not Baribo. I’m sure they could have resigned Uhre at a discount, too, if they hadn’t burned that bridge toward the end of the season.
Fair enough about Baribo. I certainly would have liked t see him stay, but the fee from DC is an offer you just can’t refuse.
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Agree about Damiani. There were many times he and Baribo were making the same runs, getting in each others’ way… I think the idea is to play him into form. He’s a young guy with (one hopes) upside.
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I think Uhre will be back at a slightly lower wage. I’d like to see him stick around.
He’s not selling the club.
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Get used to it or root for Red Bull New York! LOL…
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THIS is Philadelphia Union Moneyball, and Tanner, it appears, crossed the wrong people at MLS (his stance on the draft? COVID playoff game?) he won’t be back, unfortunately…
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Look, there are literally hundreds of guys like him in the European soccer systems… and with the global contacts to uncover those “grow money” prospects we thrive on.
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Or Chris Albright might be getting bored in Cincy? That’s my vote….
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Or is Bedoya gearing up for that spot?
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PS: The Baribo signing was BRILLIANT. Gave him the contract he EXPECTED… and watch, last season will be his high water mark… just another mismanagement by DCU.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Can’t wait for February….
I think the piece not being discussed in the Glesnes move was the unexpected speed with which Westfield developed. If you believe (and the Union do and should) that (i) Harriel and Makahnya are starter quality guys, and (ii) Harriel can play CB well but not LB well in a post-Wagner world, then your choice was essentially (A) Westfield, (B) Glesnes, (C) hope that Westfield is a MLS level LB despite all evidence, or (D) strand talent on your bench. The Union’s structure doesn’t allow for (D). If all that is true, then selling Glesnes is the right move.
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Yes, they still need 2-3 MLS level defensive depth pieces in addition to Mbaizo (if he is back) and a replacement for Wagner if he leaves. But committing to Westfield-Harriel-Makhanya-Wagner (or replacement) is a very smart use of talent and resources across the back. And with the GK stable and Danley/Lukic on board, they only need depth for the back 7.
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Now go fix the attack please! Given how the squad rotates and substitutes, we need 6/7 top athletes up front and right now we have maybe three until Quinn is back fit.
I’m curious as to why you think Westfield won’t be an effective left back? No, he’s not going to be Wagner, but very few players at either back are. But he was effective playing left back when he was with Union 2 and I would expect him to be fine as a replacement whenever Wagner is not available.
He looked mediocre during his couple of shifts this year.
Other teams rebuild after a losing season. Only the Union rebuild after a highly successful one. Baribo sold now?
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I don’t expect them to spend Beckham, Messi, Zlatan money, but when you hit on a cheap pick up, you ride it…..you already won. You don’t sell just to pocket money and then try to appease the fans by rolling a little into a “record” amount for something that has been a bust (Damiani)!
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Get rid of Wagner already, too, for the trifecta. Do us a favor and go become a McDonald’s franchisee, if it’s all just about the money. I’m done. Roll out some patchwork team against that amateur Champion’s League opponent in a month and I hope every season ticket holder cancels. For this to go down in a home World Cup season makes it all the worse.
Honest question: is Baribo worth $2.6M annually? That’s what DC United is paying him for the next 4-5 seasons. That’s a lot of budget outlay for a player that doesn’t create on his own.
DC United are saying it’s a 15 million dollar investment for 4 1/2 seasons. I don’t know if Damiani is a bust after one season but he didn’t pair well with Baribo. From the eye test it looked like both players paired better with Uhre. Damiani reminds me of Fernado Aristeguieta from long ago who had similar stats. Baribo should have been named a DP and I’m sorry but he tailed off last season doesn’t matter as he returned injured after being stuck in Israel. Has any player on the Union averaged over a goal a game for their Union career so far?
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Stop saying CONCACAF Champions Cup is a thing when you dismantle a core of players before you play in this tournament. Breaking in a new backline and front line before the season starts in the most prestigious tournament in CONCACAF screams the team doesn’t care. I can understand Glesnes as he’s over thirty and had a great bounce back year but a 27 year old striker who loved the community, sorry no.
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The team has to find about 15 goals at the same time they’ve weakened their backline. They also need to find more minutes for C. Sullivan this year or I would imagine he’ll be off to Europe early which seems more likely now as this team doesn’t look as good as last year team.
Selling Baribo for $4+ million is a great deal for the Union. Yes, he scored poachers goals however, in the regular flow of the game he was rarely seen. His defense was great but we really need multi-faceted strikers.
Glesnes is also a good business deal by itself. However, we have glaring holes at CB. I love Harriel but don’t see him as a full-time CB. Sorry. So, we need 2 CBs especially given the number of games in 2026. I am curious if the GAM play on Glesnes is to pay for Uhre and get him off the DP list. I hope Wagner stays but he is at that age where its take your one chance in England or stay here forever. I selfishly hope for the latter.
Lastly, I too am really disappointed about Jamir. I thought he had tremendous potential. My only guess is that he was needed to clinch the Glesnes deal versus a separate issue. But who knows? I do think that by mid-2026 we will be seeing Cavan as a starter. I also think that Ilovski was a total steal and someone USMNT should have considered. As the Union cheap wheel continues to turn… Good enough to compete. Not good enough to win….
What’s the latest on Tanner? is he fired?
I don’t believe he is coming back, because of woke and dei BS the league implements based on some hearsay and interpret, to prohibit free speech……….he brought good deals given the budget he had to work with.
Actually I would argue it is because of the unacceptable and disgusting behavior he has exhibited, corroborated to the point of being verifiably true. Shame on the franchise for allowing this.
As someone who has conducted workplace investigations for 25 years, I hope the outcome is the result of an objective, competent investigation that is based on the evidence. In a workplace investigations, this is about which direction that evidence leaned (and how much so) as to each allegation levied against the accused. It’s NOT the “beyond a shadow of doubt” standard we often think about in criminal court settings.
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There may also be taken into account what if any corrective action history is on the confidential record within the Union organization as a result of past behavior… though it sounds like maybe past behavior/complaints are part of the current investigation.
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Keep in mind that the confidential details will remain unknown both internally (outside of the complainants, Tanner, witnesses, the leader(s) Tanner reports to) and the public, which can be unsatisfying.
HopkisMD thank you for the explanatio
of the process, the ending being unknown and unsatisfying is not fair to the public (fans)
John O’Donnell mentioned tournaments, so I’d like to put out a question of concern.
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If the Union first team won’t play in the USOC due to CCL qualification, then why is it seemingly apparent that the U2 won’t enter?
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The NextPro championship is truly a JV award not seriously taken. The USOC offers some serious experience with for advancement for U2 plus a long shot bid for the CCC.
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For a reserve squad to play the best of USL and lesser MLS first teams with advancement,that alone seems more valuable an experience for them regarding future crafting for our first team and/or elsewhere upon trades.
Never mind. Rules change again.
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MLS NEXT Pro teams that are part of a club that plays in Division I Major League Soccer are not eligible based on the one club, one entry principle.
Another consideration is fairness to the lesser clubs in the Open Cup, especially the amateurs.
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Allowing the top level pro sides to play their benches in the early rounds makes the amateurs’ chances even less.
RE: Jamir Johnson.
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The behavior of the organization shows that they rate Johnson lower than both Willyam Ferreira and Kellen LeBlanc. Consistently, all year.
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Death, taxes and no SuperDraft first round pick for the Union. Some dude named Finn Sundstrom was traded from DCU for Philly’s 2028 1st rounder in the superdraft. Confirmed today, Sundstrom and the Union agreed to a deal that will secure his rights through the 2028 season, with club options for 2029 and 2030.