My guess is they'll use some of the money to re-sign Uhre to a non DP contract. I thought the new signings would be the depth at striker and centerback, but I'm guessing they'll turn to homegrowns for that at those positions.
They need a MF, as the Baribo move likely signals that Iloski will/can move up top. They need a player to fill in for Quinn while he's recovering from injury. We need to be realistic too, as Quinn likely won't be back to his pre-injury level of play until the 2027 sprint season. How much can be realistically expected of Cavan Sullivan? He's still only 16 years old, and the Union play a very physical and mentally demanding style. How ready is Neil Pierre for MLS level minutes? He's what, 17?? I would say they need: Centerback or two (especially if OM keeps improving at his current pace) Attacking Midfielder Defensive Midfielder - eventual replacement for Danley as it will be difficult to hang onto him after the World Cup.
It's two players...... Last season they moved on from Elliott, and traded McGlynn and Gazdag. Was it not a "new look" Union this past season?
Boy we have really come a long way. I remember we used to sell our star players for a sack of balls because they drank too much water.
Looks like Baribo is gone. If the transfer money they are reporting is correct unless there is some sell on fee split it looks like another significant player where the team have basically recouped the fee and salary for his entire time here.
A bit about the new kid. https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/philadelphia-union-acquire-defender-finn-sundstrom
🚨🔵⚪️ BREAKING | Kai #Wagner is close to a move to Birmingham City, with Tom Brady involved in the deal.The 28 y/o left-back from Philadelphia Union is already in England. Wagner was among the standout players in MLS last season and is now set to make the switch via a €2.3… pic.twitter.com/qnBBNdOTCc— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 1, 2026 Kai off to Birmingham City. Release clause is in the $2.7m range. How the front office decides to use the money from all these transactions should determine how people view what they are doing this offseason.
Birmingham City are currently 16th in the Championship, nine points above the relegation places. It's a grueling season in the second tier in England. It will be interesting to see how he does and if he helps BCFC move up the table.
Kai has been a great player for the Union. Should be placed in the ring of honor one day beside Seba, Ale, and Blake. The team will look different in 2026, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Union were rather predictable in attack much of the time. When teams would pin Kai back in defense, the attack really bogged down. This will allow the Union to have Harriel and Westfield both at the outside back positions. Frankie will slot into the leftback role now. restarts are going to take a hit now without Kai's delivery. Someone else will need to step up in that role (or maybe it will be multiple players). This is a now or never move for Kai, who's been asking (or at least his agent has been) to transfer abroad going on 5 straight off seasons now. With Frankie ready to fill that position, it makes sense and the sky isn't falling. This opens up more budget space to bring in more players too as Kai was approaching the max TAM level salary threshold. In order to strengthen the team and bring in better players, some players are going to have to leave. Chris Donovan leaving doesn't open up enough space to bring in a better player, Plus, better players aren't going to want to ride the bench and just be subs. This isn't the NBA, MLB, NHL or the NFL where players don't have (or have very limited options) another place to go. Pro Soccer literally has over 1000 teams players can go to. It's going to look different in 2026. Will it be better? We'll see. The Union not standing pat, and choosing to not run it back and be stagnant, IMO, is a good thing.
I feel like the "incident" primarily and also his constant desire to GTFO of here probably make a ring of honor nod a bit unpopular. I do wonder if we have anyone who can take over free kick duties. Because nobody else ever got a chance I have no idea if anyone on the roster can do it. I do remember some seasons back in the day where we really had absolutely nobody and I think it was pretty rough. I have no idea how Frankie will do in terms of offense from the left side but he was more than competent on the right and is a better defender with more range than Kia. Similar to Carranza, I don't think this was actually a union decision other than not wanting or being able to offer a premium over whatever Birmingham is paying to make Kai give up his dreams. Similar to last season, while I don't predict another shield or mls cup especially with the increased game load, the idea that this team is going to be at the bottom of the table or not make the playoffs easilythat some have expressed elsewhere is so absurd I am convinced they are just dead internet bots.
Iloski can take free kicks, as he did take corners during the latter half of the season. Frankie can also take them. I do agree that someone is going to have to step into that roll this season though. As far as this being or not being the Union's decision, IMO it's a bit of both. Kai has always expressed an interest in testing himself in a "better" league. He's been here for 6-7 seasons now. He's won two shields, outside of winning MLS Cup what else is there for him to prove/accomplish in MLS? At the same time, the Union (and MLS for the most part) are a stepping stone for players to go onto another level. In order to be a stepping stone, you have to allow players to make that step. I look at this as the Union's way of rewarding Kai for his many years of service and stellar play with the team. Some fans aren't going to want to hear this, or like it. For as great a player that Kai is and has been, the Union cannot make a left back a designated player. This is just the realities of MLS and the current roster building structure. Kai's likely going to double his current salary. At 28, this is likely the last significant contract he's going to get in his playing career. I don't have an issue with the Union allowing him to pursue his professional goals.
Bedoya is back. https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/philadelphia-union-sign-alejandro-bedoya-new-contract-2026
Uhre is gone too. No Baribo, no Glesnes, no Wagner, no Uhre. https://www.flashscore.com/news/soc...-from-the-mls-to-replace-franculino/C0wYEqzK/