Football Season Guide

Philadelphia Union enjoyed their best campaign in the MLS as they ended the regular season with a record haul of points and finishing third in the Eastern Conference only to bow out of the playoffs in the Conference semifinals stage. While the roster turnover has been low during the off-season, Philadelphia will be heading into the season without three of their mainstays from last season. The promise of Auston Trusty has been cut short after the defender was traded to Colorado Rapids but it will be Haris Medunjanin and Fafa Picault's departures that will be key for Philadelphia with the duo important part of the team's transition play and offense last season. Philadelphia have brought in Matej Oravec and Jakob Glesnes to replace Medunjanin and Trusty while Jamiro Monteiro's loan was turned into a permanent move and is expected to take over the creative responsibility from Marco Fabian who was let go after an injury-hit campaign last season. Medunjanin's departure is a major hole to fill for Philadelphia who have also not yet brought in a replacement for Picault who posed an attacking threat down the flanks. However a largely settled starting lineup that is familiar with the way coach Jim Curtin wants them to play means Philadelphia should hit the ground running and will be favorites once again for a playoffs spot.