Andrew Rick (center) in the pregame huddle with teammates before the Philadelphia Union's Major League Soccer (MLS) game against the Chicago Fire at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
Andrew Rick (center) in the pregame huddle with teammates before the Philadelphia Union's Major League Soccer (MLS) game against the Chicago Fire at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania on Saturday, August 23, 2025.Philadelphia Union

Which Union Players Should Stay or Go?
Swipe and decide

Though the Union’s playoff run ended earlier than hoped for this year, it was still a successful season. Winning the Supporters’ Shield returned the team to MLS’s elite, and the squad saw some new names rise to prominence. But as always in soccer, there isn’t much time to reflect. The Union have to make their offseason roster moves quickly, then get to work preparing for next year. Here’s your chance to play sporting director and pick who should stay or go.

Our soccer reporter Jonathan Tannenwald also provides his analysis on how much of a roster overhaul the team needs. Make your pick for each player by swiping the cards below — right for Stay or left for Go. Yes, just like Tinder. Finding it hard to decide? We'll also show you how other Inquirer readers have voted so far and what we think the team will do.

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Goalkeepers

As ever, Andre Blake leads the way, with Andrew Rick a strong backup behind him.

#18

Andre

Blake

Captain

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Option: '27
Age
35

Inky Says Stay

The Union's No. 1 in net, and the best goalkeeper in MLS for nearly a decade. Neither of those things will change soon.

#1

Oliver

Semmle

Loaned out

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '25 Option: '26
Age
27

Inky Says Go

A loan out this year was the final proof that he wasn't good enough for the MLS level.

#31

George

Marks

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26
Age
26

Inky Says Go

He did his job as an emergency signing when other backups were injured.

#76

Andrew

Rick

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '28 Option: '29
Age
19

Inky Says Stay

The safest hands the team could ask for in a backup goalkeeper, as he showed again in the playoffs.

All Goalkeepers rated!Jump to Defenders

Defenders

Another stable part of the depth chart, with a strong group of young players coming up around veterans Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner.

#5

Jakob

Glesnes

Vice-Captain

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '27 Option: '28
Age
31

Inky Says Stay

A stunning rebound in form this year earned him a place on MLS's team of the year. Will he keep it up next year?

#12

Isaiah

LeFlore

Loaned Out

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '25 Options: '26, '27
Age
22

Inky Says Go

An ACL tear stole his best potential here. He should be allowed to seek success elsewhere.

#15

Olivier

Mbaizo

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Options: '27, '28
Age
28

Inky Says Stay

A consummate teammate even though he barely plays, and deserves better.

#26

Nathan

Harriel

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Options: '26, '27
Age
24

Inky Says Stay

Well-deserving of a new contract, as USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino would be first to say.

#27

Kai

Wagner

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Option: '27
Age
28

Inky Says Stay

The best left back in MLS finally got the recognition he deserved for it this year.

#29

Olwethu

Makhanya

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '25 Options: '26, '27
Age
21

Inky Says Stay

He broke through with the first team, earned a starting spot, and kept it. A new contract should come next.

#39

Frankie

Westfield

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '28 Options: '29
Age
19

Inky Says Stay

The best individual story of the year. He could be here a long time.

#44

Neil

Pierre

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '28 Option: '29
Age
18

Inky Says Stay

For all the hype, he's still a teenage prospect. Will next year be his breakthrough?

All Defenders rated!Jump to Midfielders

Midfielders

There are many positives in this group, but there’s also a big question: will Cavan Sullivan become a first-team regular next year?

#4

Jovan

Lukić

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Options: '27, '28
Age
23

Inky Says Stay

The club's best newcomer this year fit like a glove from the moment he arrived.

#6

Cavan

Sullivan

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '28
Age
16

Inky Says Stay

This year showed how fast he's growing. Next year should be when he officially breaks through.

#8

Jesús

Bueno

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Option: '27
Age
26

Inky Says Stay

A hard worker and great teammate who perhaps deserves more playing time. WIll he get it next year?

#11

Alejandro

Bedoya

Vice-Captain

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '25
Age
38

Inky Says Go

It's up to him first, but he knows best that time is running out.

#14

Jeremy

Rafanello

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Options: '27, '28
Age
25

Inky Says Stay

Not going anywhere, but Cavan Sullivan is coming for his playing time.

#16

Ben

Bender

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '25
Age
24

Inky Says Go

A short-term signing that hasn't worked out.

#17

CJ

Olney

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '28 Option: '29
Age
18

Inky Says Stay

The 18-year-old hasn't proven he can make it at the top level yet. There's time, but stepping up next year would be big.

#19

Indiana

Vassilev

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '28 Option: '29
Age
24

Inky Says Stay

He easily proved why Bradley Carnell wanted him to bring him in, and earned a new contract for it.

#21

Danley

Jean-Jacques

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Options: '28, '28
Age
25

Inky Says Stay

He earned all the praise he got for his growth this year. Also helped Haiti reach its first men's World Cup since 1974

#22

David

Vázquez

Loaned out

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '27 Option: '28
Age
19

Inky Says Go

Currently in San Diego and expected to stay there. But this team could have used him.

#24

Nick

Pariano

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Options: '26, '27
Age
22

Inky Says Go

It's time to give his roster spot to someone who will get first-team minutes.

#33

Quinn

Sullivan

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '27 Option: '28
Age
21

Inky Says Stay

The Union might still be playing had he not torn his ACL. He coud become a genuine star next year.

All Midfielders rated!Jump to Forwards

Forwards

An era is ending with Mikael Uhre’s expected departure. Will the Union sign another Designated Player to replace him, and will the team let young prospects fill out the depth chart?

#7

Mikael

Uhre

DP

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '25
Age
31

Inky Says Go

It's been an open secret for weeks that his time is up. Here's hoping fans appreciate what he did.

#9

Tai

Baribo

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '25 Option: '26
Age
27

Inky Says Stay

He likes Philadelphia, and fans like him. Will contract talks produce a deal that keeps him in town long-term?

#20

Bruno

Damiani

DP

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '28 Option: '29
Age
23

Inky Says Stay

A relenteless worker not afraid to mix it up physically. But goals count the most, and there weren't enough this year.

#25

Chris

Donovan

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '25 Options: '26, '27
Age
25

Inky Says Go

He's been a good servant, but his skill set remains limited. Better to play the club's young prospects.

#32

Milan

Iloski

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '27 Option: '28
Age
26

Inky Says Stay

His arrival in the summer saved the season and launched a run to a trophy. Here's hoping for an encore next year.

#35

Markus

Anderson

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '26 Options: '27, '28
Age
21

Inky Says Stay

Regained the first team's good graces this year even though he didn't play much. He brings something different, and that's needed.

#55

Sal

Olivas

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '28 Option: '29
Age
19

Inky Says Stay

He showed in his first-team cameos that he deserves more chances next year, and maybe did this year.

#77

Eddy

Davis III

Home
grown

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: '27 Options: '28, '29
Age
19

Inky Says Stay

He's still young, but deserves a shot next year to show if he can step up to the first team.

All Forwards rated!Jump to Front Office

Front Office

The scandal of allegations against Ernst Tanner casts a huge cloud. Until it’s resolved, many other things will also be uncertain.

SD

Ernst

Tanner

Crowd says 
Contract
Unknown
Age
59

Inky Says TBD

The scandal over him is the biggest headline of the offseason. Will he go, and if so, who will take his job?

C

Bradley

Carnell

Crowd says 
Contract
Signed Thru: "26
Age
48

Inky Says Stay

He revived the organization, and won MLS Coach of the Year for it. Can he push the team over the biggest hump next?

All Front Office rated!
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Staff Contributors

  • Development: Sam Morris and Jasen Lo
  • Design: Sam Morris, Jasen Lo, Luke Reasoner
  • Reporter: Jonathan Tannenwald
  • Editor: Kerith Gabriel, Jim Swan
  • Photo Editor: Danese Kenon
  • Photography: Photography provided by Associated Press