Close your eyes for a second and imagine you’re at Subaru Park. Can you smell the field? Can you hear the loud screams of “SUCKS” as the opposing teams lineup are announced? Can you hear the roar of “DOOP” echoing throughout the Soob after a Union goal? Just thinking about it gives me chills. Luckily, there’s less than a week before the Philadelphia Union will be kicking off their 2024 season against Deportivo Saprissa in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Followed quickly by their MLS home opener against Chicago Fire FC. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at how our Boys in Blue roster is looking like after a pretty quiet offseason. 

Ok look. Maybe it wasn’t a quiet offseason so much in terms of signing players. But more in the way of signing any “big name” players. The Union’s biggest signing was keeping the best LB in MLS, Kai Wagner. Wagner will be suspended to start the season for violating the leagues on-field anti-discrimination policy, when he was found to have said a racial slur to a New England Revolution player. Once he’s done serving his suspension, he will be a huge factor to the Union’s success this season. The other big signing was bringing back Captain, Ale Bedoya to a 1 year deal that will see Bedoya taking on a front office role next season. I think it’s a huge role that will keep Bedoya tied to the team past his playing days. I’m a big fan of this move. A much needed signing was goal keeper Oliver Semmle, from Louisville City of the USL. Semmle is a big time upgrade from Bendik to backup our brick wall, Andre Blake. I expect to see Semmle get some action in goal this season with all the games the Union will be involved in. For the other signings, Sanders Ngabo, Isaiah LeFlore, Nick Pariano, Jose Jamir Berdecio, and Markus Anderson are your typical Union low-risk, high-reward “money ball” kind of players that will more than likely start with the Union II and be pieces to build on or send out on loan. Jim Curtin has said recently that he expects Anderson to see time with the first team this season. Anderson will bring some much needed depth to the forward position without a doubt this season. 

Now, who will be in this seasons starting lineup? I think we will see some different combinations of starters this season with the Union playing in Champions Cup, Leagues Cup and the long MLS season. My predictions for who will be the regular starters are: Andre Blake GK, Kai Wagner LB, Nate Harriel RB, Jack Elliot CB, Jakob Glesnes CB, Daniel Gazdag CAM, Jose Martinez CDM, Jack McGlynn LCM, Jesus Bueno RCM, Mikael Uhre F, Julian Carranza F. Yes, I don’t have our Captain, Bedoya starting but I just don’t think he has starter minutes left in the tank. I think this starting lineup gives Philly the best chance at winning this season. There’s solid depth on the bench with names like Damion Lowe, Oliver Mbaizo, Ale Bedoya, Quinn Sullivan, and the hopeful emergence of Tai Baribo, this team is set up to bring home at least 1 trophy this season. 

I like this team. No, I love this team. When I look at this roster on paper, I see one of the top teams in the east. Although the Union don’t spend the money on players like other teams, I feel confident and believe in this style of building. Union have gone on to be the 3rd most winningest team over the last 5 years with this “money ball” style of building rosters. Union have young talent in McGlynn, Bueno, and Harriel. Union have a 3 headed monster of Gazdag, Carranza, and Uhre. Union have top ranked defenders like Wagner and Glesnes.  Most of all, Union have the best goal keeper in the league, Andre Blake , I’m ready to go all in with this team. The best part of it all is we are less than a week away from it all playing out in front of our eyes. 

DOOP!

-Steven Fuentes/ Olde City Sports Network