Put simply, the 2024 MLS season for the Philadelphia Union was a disaster and one to be forgotten. From being the last unbeaten team in the league to missing out on playoffs for the first time since 2017, Union fans experienced much frustration as the final attempt for a trophy with the core group of veterans ended in disappointment.
Unlike recent years, the final months of the off-season for the Philadelphia Union will be hugely important, where many changes will be made in the hope of spurring the Union back to playoff contention. Already, Sporting Director Ernst Tanner has decided to part ways with longtime Union head coach and fan favorite, Jim Curtin, after Curtin's tactics did not align with the Union's core goals of bringing more youth into the squad. Additionally, the Union let versatile midfielder Leon Flach leave, as he plans to return to Germany. The Union were able to re-sign veteran midfielder and club legend Alejandro Bedoya to a one year extension, but had to part ways with center-back Jack Elliott as he agreed to terms with the Chicago Fire in free agency.
All of these changes have led to Union fans being visibly upset with owner Jay Sugarman for his lack of spending on the team and Ernst Tanner for his decisions on who to sign. In order to not completely dismantle the Union fanbase and instead give the Union fans something to be excited about, the Union must do these three things.
Hire a New Head Coach
Perhaps the most important need to address is who will be the Union's head coach. With the 2025 MLS Season kicking off in around two months, the Union are most likely in the final stage of the hiring process. Tanner has made it clear that the new head coach will be one who values a youthful squad with high-pressing instincts, the typical Red Bull style. Rumors circulated that German coach Thomas Letsch was the frontrunner, but after he signed with RB Salzburg, new rumors have circulated suggesting that the Union's head coach could be the South African, Bradley Carnell, who achieved success with St. Louis City in 2022. Nevertheless, as of the time writing this article, the Union have not hired a head coach.
Get the Signings Right
Due to all of the Union's outgoing starters and key contributors, the Union must make replacement signings, just like the recent summer acquisition of Danley Jean Jacques from Fc Metz as a direct replacement for center defensive midfielder Jose "El Brujo" Martinez. Unlike in recent years, the Union must actually spend some money to bring in players who will be starters. The last couple of years, the Union signed Markus Anderson, Joaquin Torres, Andres Perea, Damion Lowe, and Sam Adeniran to the first team, all for basically nothing. None of them panned out except Damion Lowe, who was eventually sold in the tail end of the 2024 season.
This year, the Union must spend money on signings that will not be a bust. At his end of the season press conference, Tanner hinted that the Union would make additions to every positional group, except the goalkeeper position. Already, the Union have signed Argentine-Croatian center-back Ian Glavinovich from Argentine side Newells Old Boys to a first team contract on a loan with a purchase option. He is deemed to be the direct replacement for Jack Elliott.
The Union are currently in the market for a U-22 initiative midfielder and a hold-up striker to bolster the squad as well. But there are so many other spots still empty.
A Reason to DOOP!
At the end of the day, all most Union fans want is to DOOP and celebrate. In order for this to be more likely to happen, the Union must not entirely play the kids and instead play veterans. Most Union fans are not asking for the team to go out and sign a high-profile ten million dollar striker, although that would be great, but instead we would take a three million dollar man who has the ability to score at any given moment.
Tanner is keen on making this 2025 MLS season a rebuild year for the Union and while that may be true, the Union should focus on signing players entering their prime to bring success to the team. Signing a striker who can consistently score will allow the pressure of the fanbase to ease and more fans to come out to games at Subaru Park. At the end of the day, Sugarman and Tanner can not take the fanbase for granted. If they continue to put forth a poorly-constructed team, then the stands will be empty.
Ben Brecher
Twitter: @benbrecher18