The Philadelphia Union entered the latest stretch of the season with two straight victories under interim head coach Ryan Richter, a surge that has reignited optimism among fans and front office officials.
A Shift in the Calendar
Major League Soccer has announced that, beginning in 2027, its season will follow a Fall‑Winter‑Spring format, a change that reshapes preparation timelines and impacts how clubs manage player contracts and fitness programs.
Key Decisions Ahead
Among the roster pieces that remain unsettled, midfielder Olwethu Makhanya finds himself in limbo as a potential move to Europe hangs in the balance, while defender Sal Olivas has been sidelined after a suspension and is no longer appearing in recent team videos.
Markus Anderson, currently on loan to Brooklyn FC, has been turning heads in the USL Championship, and C.J. Olney was recently crowned the league’s mid‑season Young Player of the Year, underscoring the value of the Union’s developmental pipeline.
Defensive midfield stalwarts Danley Jean Jacques and Jovan Lukic both hold options for 2027, and goalkeeper Andre Blake’s contract extension appears likely despite lingering knee concerns.
Stas Korzeniowski’s own option decision will hinge on his recovery from a knee injury and the coaching staff’s assessment of his defensive capabilities.
Veteran forward Alejandro Bedoya is expected to hang up his boots and transition into a front‑office role, a move that could reshape the Union’s attacking options.
Technical staff must weigh these factors carefully, balancing short‑term competitiveness with long‑term roster construction as the new calendar year approaches.