Enjoy Them While You Still Can!
The Philadelphia Union have one of the lowest payrolls among MLS teams in 2020, yet they are contending for their first major trophy in club history.
How have they done it?
Homegrown Players
There are many factors to the team’s success this year, and one of the main ones is homegrown players. It is no secret that the Union have one of the top development academies in America, and this year the kids broke out. The top has to be Brendan Aaronson. It was announced on October 17 that Aaronson would be the first big sell to Europe for the Union. This season Aaronson has put in 4 goals while adding 7 assists. It has been a treat to watch him develop and even though he will leave for RB Salzburg in January, Aaronson has made it clear he wants to leave the Union with trophies in hand.
Photo: Wes Shephard/Philadelphia Sports Nation
Brendan Aaronson has made his mark offensively, but defensively, the backline has been held down by homegrown Mark McKenzie. Coming into the season, the Union had a question of which 3 Centerbacks will get the main playing time between Jacob Glesnas, Jack Elliott, and Mark McKenzie. However, straight from the beginning, McKenzie made it clear, he is the Unions every game CB. Mark McKenzie has held the Unions backline and became the leader of the defense very quickly.
This season he has made the shortlist for MLS Defender of the Year, MLS MVP, and MLS Young Player of the Year.
While McKenzie has no confirmed transfer, rumors are swirling that he could be connected to a move to Scottish side Celtic FC. No matter what, McKenzie is most likely gone in the next transfer window as well.
It’s not just the starters!
While Aaronson and McKenzie are the two top homegrowns for the Union, they are not alone. Young players have bolstered the bench and depth of the team. Midfielder Anthony Fontana has exploded onto the scene as the Unions next super sub! Fontana has scored 6 goals and averages 1.06 goals for every 90 minutes played. Despite only starting in 5 games, Fontana has stepped up in every moment he has been asked and could be a fantastic replacement for Brenden Aaronson next season.
Union homegrown Matt Real has even stepped up in the wake of injuries to Ray Gaddis and Kai Wagner. Real has 1 goal and 2 assists in the 16 appearances this year, and he has improved to contend for a spot on the Unions backline in 2021.
The future is bright! While they haven’t had their chance in the Unions squad, Union homegrowns Jack de Vries and Cole Turner are developing through the academy and could be in line to make an impact in 2021. However, maybe the most exciting, Brenden Aaronson younger brother Paxton Aaronson will be joining the team in 2021 as well.
It is Far from the End
Just because Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie are off to Europe, the Union arent going to magically go away. The academy will continue to produce young talent and homegrowns like Anthony Fontana will step up in Aaronson’s place. The transfers of Aaronson and McKenzie will bring the revenue to be able to buy high caliber players and invest back into the youth.
The fans will be able to see the two continue to develop in Europe, and watch them lead the USMNT for years to come.
Mark McKenzie and Brenden Aaronson have made one thing clear, they don’t want to leave Philly empty-handed, and they will continue to be the focal point of the team’s success until they move on.
Featured Image: Wes Shephard/Philadelphia Sports Nation
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Categorized:Union