This is one in a series of team previews preparing fans for the 2023 MLS season. Check out the full list; teams will be revealed in predicted order of finish from Feb. 10-24.
What Philadelphia Union did last year
Nearly won the whole damn thing during the regular season. And then nearly did it again at MLS Cup. But didn’t actually win anything. (Sorry.)
Key additions
Defender Damion Lowe (traded from Miami), midfielder Andrés Perea (traded from Orlando), midfielder Joaquín Torres (traded from Montréal)
Key departures
Midfielder Paxten Aaronson (transfered to Eintracht Frankfurt), goalkeeper Joe Bendik (contract expired), forward Cory Burke (option declined), goalkeeper Matt Freese (traded to NYCFC)
Making the case for Philadelphia Union
The easiest case I will ever make. They return every single starter from a team that came microfractions away from winning the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup last season. They’ve added depth to that team through excellent trades. They’re going to be just fine … as long as they aren’t totally derailed by a deep CCL run.
Players to watch
Just look at their projected XI and close your eyes and point to a spot. That’s who you should watch. They’re probably awesome. Especially if you land on Jose Martinez, who’s particular brand of “crazy guy in the fight” is just measured enough to make you unsure of whether he’s actually aware he’s the crazy guy in the fight or not.
A nerdy tidbit
The Union were statistically the second-most direct team in the league last season behind the Red Bulls. They didn’t quite press as much, but they did opt to go for a more straightforward route than ever when it came to scoring goals. And whoo boy did they score a lot of them once their attacking trio of Jullian Carranza, Mikael Uhre and Daniel Gazdag got plugged in.
A fun tidbit
You might already know this, but no *club* in MLS history had more than three wins by six or more goals over the course of their entire history. Last year’s Philadelphia team had four wins by six goals or more. All four came over the course of 10 games.
Projected finish
1st in the East
The only thing that will stop them is CCL. And that might not stop them either.