The Philadelphia Union displayed remarkable patience as they filled their roster needs during the Major League Soccer offseason.
With two distinct positional targets laid out by sporting director Earnie Stewart and head coach Jim Curtin, the Union waited for the right time to pounce and acquire ideal fits on the wing and at No. 10.
David Accam and Borek Dockal add to an attack headlined by forward C.J. Sapong, who experienced a career season in 2017 with 16 goals and a return call-up to the United States men’s national team.
While the front four will take a while to come together since Dockal was just confirmed Wednesday, the spine of the team, defensive midfielders Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya and goalkeeper Andre Blake, is expected to make an impact right away as a young core of defenders find their footing.
The Union emphasized youth in the offseason, and with at least five Homegrown players expected to see playing time in 2018, they achieved that goal, but now they have to wait a little longer to reap the rewards of the process.
Philadelphia opens at home against New England
When: March 3, 2018
Where: Talen Energy Stadium
Broadcast: PHL17
The Buzz: With Dockal expected to miss Saturday’s home opener at Talen Energy Stadium as he finishes the visa process, Trusty and Anthony Fontana should start their first MLS matches.
The pair of Homegrowns will be under the microscope from the start, as they take the next step in their path alongside fellow academy products Mark McKenzie, Derrick Jones and Matthew Real.
“It’s awesome to have my teammates around from the academy,” Trusty said. “We all grew up together and wanted to be here, have minutes here and start in the first team. That’s what we’ve working toward since we were little.”
The Union’s dynamic front four should be able to put the new-look Revolution under pressure as they create a healthy amount of scoring opportunities.
Other Key Matches
Friday, April 13 vs. Orlando City: The fifth game of the season will be the first test against a potential playoff contender at home for the Union. It’s also the first opportunity to showcase its new lineup to the national audience.
Saturday, May 19 vs. Real Salt Lake: This match occurs in the middle of a five-game stretch in which four contests are played on the road. The Union face a few of these stretches in 2018, and must be able to rebound from tough road trips to earn results at home.
Wednesday, July 11 at Chicago Fire: David Accam makes his return to Toyota Park at the start of another four road games in a five-match stretch.
Check out the full 2018 schedule here.
Quotes and Notes
The Union brass praised the addition of Dockal, which was announced Wednesday, as they found the final piece to their attacking puzzle.
“Borek was someone we identified through data and our scouting,” Stewart said. “With a Chinese competition and the Asian market begin open such a long time a lot of times things don’t happen until those markets are about to close. That’s what we had to wait on.”
“The most important part with Borek when we were speaking to him in terms of what we expect and all that kind of stuff, he was very interested in the Philadelphia Union and for us keeping in contact with him was very important because once you have the player on your side it makes it easier to have patience,” Stewart said.
Curtin noted Dockal is out of the country working on his visa, which combined with Ilsinho’s preseason injury, opens the door for Fontana to make his MLS debut in the No. 10 position.
Biggest offseason moves
- Acquired David Accam from the Chicago Fire for $1.2 million in allocation money
- Brought in Borek Dockal on loan from Henan Jianye of the Chinese Super League
- Signed Mark McKenzie and Matthew Real to Homegrown contracts
- Big-money contracts of Maurice Edu, Chris Pontius, Brian Carroll and Roland Alberg came off the books
Roster Breakdown
Forwards: C.J. Sapong; age 29, Cory Burke; 26, Jay Simpson; 29
Midfielders: David Accam; 27, Anthony Fontana; 18, Borek Dockal; 29, Fafa Picault; 27, Marcus Epps; 23, Fabian Herbers; 24, Ilsinho; 32, Alejandro Bedoya; 30, Haris Medunjanin; 32, Derrick Jones; 20, Warren Creavalle; 27, Eric Ayuk; 21, Adam Najem; 23
Defenders: Ray Gaddis; 28, Keegan Rosenberry; 24, Auston Trusty; 19, Jack Elliott; 22, Joshua Yaro; 23, Richie Marquez; 25, Mark McKenzie; 19, Fabinho; 32, Matthew Real; 18
Goalkeepers: Andre Blake; 27, John McCarthy; 25, Jake McGuire; 23