Writer: David Malandra Jr

From the Pitch, the Latest on the Philadelphia Union

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David Malandra Jr
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David Malandra Jr Sports Editor

I am Sports Reporter that covers Pro & College Sports in Philadelphia & any other events that are featured in Philadelphia

All posts by David Malandra Jr
Sports Editor

Published20 Jan 2026

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Chester, PA: The 1st season under head coach Bradley Carnell was something special for the Union, which saw them win the Supporters Shield & come up short in the East Semifinals to their rivals NYCFC. Now that the Calendar has turned to 2026, the Philadelphia Union is looking to get back and finish the job. Here is what has been going on with the Philadelphia Union since the last time we saw them in game action

On November 26, the Union would announce its roster decisions going into the 2026 season

Players under contract for 2026: Markus Anderson, Andre Blake, Jesus Bueno, Bruno Damiani, Eddy Davis III, Jakob Glesnes, Milan Iloski, Danley Jean-Jacques, Jovan Lukic, Olwethu Makhanya, Olivier Mbaizo, Sal Olivas, CJ Olney, Neil Pierre, Jeremy Rafanello, Andrew Rick, Cavan Sullivan, Quinn Sullivan, Indiana Vassilev, David Vazquez*, Kai Wagner, Frankie Westfield

Option Exercised: Tai Baribo, Nathan Harriel

Options Declined: Chris Donovan, Isaiah LeFlore, Nicholas Pariano, Oliver Semmle

Players out of contract: Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, George Marks, Mikael Uhre

In ongoing negotiations: Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, George Marks, Mikael Uhre

 

Roster Shakeup:
This offseason for the Union has been very interesting, especially with some of the moves they have made in adding to the roster & some of the moves have gotten some of the fans scratching their heads in why would they make this move

Some of the moves are as follows:
Feb 3: Union signed center back Geiner Martínez from CA Juventud to through the 2027-2028 season, with an option through the 2028-2029 season and a second option through the 2029-2030 season.

Jan 22: Union loaned Homegrown defender Neil Pierre to Danish first-division side Lyngby Boldklub through June 2026.

 Jan 21: Union acquired defender Kaiden Moore on an intraleague loan through 2026 with a permanent trade option from Atlanta United FC.

Jan 13: Union acquired defender Japhet Sery Larsen in a permanent transfer from SK Brann through the 2028-2029 season, with an option through the 2029-2030 season.

Jan 8: Union agreed to a new contract with Alejandro Bedoya, keeping him with the club through 2026.

Jan 7: Union reached an agreement on a new contract with midfielder Ben Bender, under contract through June 2027 with and option through June 2028

Dec 30:  Union acquired Finn Sundstrom via transfer from North Carolina FC. Sundstrom is under contract through 2028 with club options for 2029 and 2030. In order to complete the transaction, the Union acquired Sundstrom’s rights from D.C. United in exchange for the club’s natural first-round selection in the 2028 MLS SuperDraft after D.C. selected the player off Waivers.

Dec 11:  Union signed goalkeeper George Marks to a new contract through 2026, with two club options: the first through June 2027, and the second through the 2027-2028 season.

Dec 3: Union agreed to a deal with Swedish Allsvenskan side, IF Brommapojkarna, for the transfer of forward Ezekiel Alladoh. The acquisition marks the largest transfer fee in club history. Alladoh is guaranteed through 2028 with club options for 2029 and 2030.

Nov 26: Union exercised the contract option for defender Olwethu Makhanya, securing him through the 2026 and 2027 MLS seasons.

Nov 25: Union reached an agreement on a new contract with midfielder Indiana Vassilev, under contract through 2028 with an option for 2029.

Head-shaking moves

Jan 2: Union reached a transfer agreement with second-tier English Football League side, Birmingham City F.C., for defender Kai Wagner in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee

 

Dec 15: Philadelphia Union announced today that they have acquired a guaranteed $1,100,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from LA Galaxy in exchange for defender Jakob Glesnes and the Homegrown Priority of Union Academy forward, Jamir Johnson. The club will receive $500,000 in 2026 GAM and $600,000 in 2027 GAM.

 

Dec 16: Tai Baribo, who was their top goal scorer, would be heading to DC United

 

When the season came to an end, Mikael Uhre would be emotional on the field after their playoff loss to NYCFC if he would be back with the Union & playing at Subaru Park

When asked about his future with the Union

“I’m not saying I would never come back. I love the people here. I love my teammates. I would definitely not say no. But that’s not only up to me.”

 

On Jan 8, Mikael Uhre would sign with FC Midtjylland

Quinn Sullivan Update:
On December 6, Philadelphia Union Quinn Sullivan would give an update on the rehab of his torn ACL

 

Concacaf Champions Cup Invite:
By winning the Supporters’ Shield, the Union gets an invite to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup & will do battle with Defence Force FC in Round One, Concacaf announced today. The Union will travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the first leg on Feb 18 before returning to Subaru Park on Feb 26 for the second leg.

 

The Union will begin the 2026 MLS Season on Feb 21 at DC United, their home opener is March 1 in a playoff rematch with NYCFC