2017 wasn’t exactly a smashing success for the Philadelphia Union.
However, after a 0-4-4 start in the first eight games, The Union had an 11-5-10 record for the remainder of the season, ending with an 11-9-14 record with 42 points in 8th place . The Union finished eight points off of New York Red Bulls for the last playoff spot, and ended up as the only team to have a positive goal difference (+3) that did not make the playoffs.
With a 10-3-4 home record, the Union looked a strong playoff contender at Talen Energy Park, but a 1-6-10 road record held the Boys in Blue back from reaching the knockout stage.
In 2017 the Union saw an emergence of new names such as Jack Elliott, Haris Medunjanin, Derrick Jones, Oguchi Onyewu, Marcus Epps and Fafa Picault. In 2018, The Union made one big signing so for, David Accam as a designated player from The Chicago Fire in $1.2 million deal. Meanwhile, like Jones, Elliott, and Epps, the Union padded its lineup with a fresh set of rookies that includes Cory Burke, Mark McKenzie and Matt Real, all of whom signed as homegrown players.
The Union could be heavily reliant on young talents in 2018.
Jack Elliott will likely return for his sophomore season after a strong rookie year. Union fans will hope he doesn’t fall into the sophomore slump that ravaged the draft class of 2016.
Derrick Jones featured early in 2017 and didn’t play much afterwards. Hopefully he will see more time to develop in 2018. Still young, the center mid is confident on the ball, positions well defensively, but could still improve his passing range. Alongside Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya, Jones has every chance to learn from a pair of great distributors.
Josh Yaro was riddled with injuries, but has an undeniable talent that could develop if he can get more consistent playtime. When he did play, he never got the chance to settle. A red card at home against Atlanta United and a penalty at San Jose Earthquakes hurt the Union badly in its playoff hunt. With consistent, injury free playtime, Yaro could fit nicely next to Elliott in the backline.
Keegan Rosenberry also struggled for consistency in 2017, but should be a mainstay in 2018. He spent most of 2017 working to displace the reliable Raymon Gaddis at right back.
Auston Trusty, only 19, has looked strong for the Union and USMNT youth teams, he likely won’t start every game, but could start to get more minutes if things pick up for the homegrown defender.
Eric Ayuk spent a season on loan in Sweden in 2017, and should be eager to prove himself in 2018. The young winger has shown pace and raw talent, he hasn’t featured in a Union jersey for some time, perhaps 2018 will be the year he begins to get appearances.
There are more youngsters still, with Anthony Fontana, Mark McKenzie, Matt Real, Fabian Herbers, Marcus Epps, and Adam Najem all looking for spots as well. It wouldn’t be a surprise if a few of the names listed get significant time at Bethlehem Steel to develop.
To lead the large group of youngsters is a veteran core, one that played most of the minutes in 2017.
Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya played just about every game alongside each other. The two complementing play styles of a deep-lying playmaker and box-to-box midfielder has worked well for the Union at times, but the pace of Medunjanin and Bedoya has been exploitable on the break. The technical ability is unquestionable, but perhaps Coach Jim Curtin will opt to continue with a three man midfield that he ended the season with and give the two players an extra pair of legs to cover the defense. Warren Creavalle slotted behind the two to good effect at times, showing a tenacious ability to win the ball back. Ilsinho at times dropped from his attacking midfield role to slot next to the Medunjanin and bring some flair to the mix, as well as clog passing lanes.
CJ Sapong came off of a career season at striker, bagging 16 goals and 5 assists. After several seasons with underwhelming numbers, he looks to have hit his stride, and will start up top as long as he continues to produce goals.
Fafa Picault brought pace to the wings in 2017, giving an extra element to the Union attack. With newly signed David Accam, the two should wreck havoc on opposing defenses. The Union counter was notoriously weak in 2017, but with Picault and Accam running the touchlines, its could be an extra facet to the Union attack that was missing in prior years.
Fabinho has not wavered at left back as he aged. Fans continue to expect him to drop off but he continues to produce strong performances. With Raymon Gaddis as cover at any time, the Union have reliable options at left back.
Keegan Rosenberry at right back will likely get a second shot after a challenging sophomore season. The 2016 rookie class didn’t have a great 2017, but 2018 is a new chance to make amends. Fabian Herbers and Josh Yaro were injured for long periods, last year, time will tell if they can stay healthy in 2018.
In goal, Andre Blake has been phenomenal. Most fans are surprised he is still in Philadelphia. Another standout season could see the Jamaican shipped to Europe or to a big paycheck. He has been the best Union player two years in a row and is only getting better. His reflexes are second to none, his distribution is generally spot on, and he is becoming a leader in the back. He still seems shaky at 1-on-1s, though hopefully for Union fans, won’t have to produce many saves this year.
Expected starting XI for Philadelphia in 2018:
Andre Blake; Keegan Rosenberry, Jack Elliott, Richie Marquez, Fabinho; Haris Medunjainin, Alejando Bedoya; Fafa Picault, Ilsinho, David Accam; CJ Sapong
Potential depth chart:
GK: Andre Blake, John McCarthy. Jake McGuire
DEF: Jack Elliott, Richie Marquez, Fabinho, Keegan Rosenberry, Raymon Gaddis, Josh Yaro, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Matt Real
Mid: Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin, Ilsinho, Derrick Jones, Warren Creavalle, Adam Najem, Anthony Fontana
ATT: CJ Sapong, David Accam, Fafa Picault, Marcus Epps, Fabian Herbers, Jay Simpson, Eric Ayuk, Cory Burke
Key Departing players:
Oguchi Onyewu: contract offer declined by club
Chris Pontius: signed with LA Galaxy as a free agent
Maurice Edu: contract offer declined by club
Charlie Davis:contract offer declined by club
Giliano Wijnaldum: signed with Willem II as a free agent
Roland Alberg: signed with CSKA Sofia as a free agent
New arrivals:
David Accam: signed for $1.2 million from Chicago Fire
Cory Burke: signed from Bethlehem Steel
Matt Real: signed as a homegrown player
Mark McKenzie: signed as a homegrown player
Philadelphia Union
