Philadelphia Union: Section 215 season preview

Paul Catrino- Who Needs to Step Up for the Union in 2017

Philadelphia’s active offseason has seen the depth of this team grow immensely. While having a squad with numerous weapons is not a problem any coach would complain about, closely contested positional battles have never been higher in Chester, PA. The identity of this team is slowly taking form and players will certainly have to push themselves in order to consistently get into the first team and be a key member of this organization going forward. Here are three players who will most likely see regular first-team minutes that will have to step up their game in 2017 to not only secure their spot but help get this Union squad to the next level in Major League Soccer.

Ken Tribbett – Last season was a roller coaster for the former Drexel defender.Netting a couple key goals for the Union along with brilliant defensive clearances early on, the early playoff exit in Toronto illuminated a lot of facets of his game that need work if he is to continue at the top level of American soccer. With Joshua Yaro out for a few months and Oguchi Onyewu not primed to start every match with his age and fitness, the time is now for Tribbett to prove his worth to Jim Curtin and show the growth he reportedly gained during the 2016 offseason. Now that rookie Jack Elliot has signed for the squad at the same position, it may only take a few less than optimal performances for the 25-year old center back to find himself back on the Bethlehem Steel sidelines and out the Union’s foreseeable future.

More from Philadelphia Union

• VIDEO: Even Philly Fans Can’t Hate Messi’s First Goal vs Philadelphia Union
• DraftKings Pennsylvania Promo Will Give You $200 Bonus GUARANTEED for Betting Just $5
• Philadelphia Union 2021 MLS season preview
• Don’t laugh, but the Union might be Philadelphia’s next champions
• Philadelphia Union: Previewing upcoming matchup vs Atlanta United

Ilson Jr. (the man formerly known as Ilsinho) – New name, new look for the 31-year old midfielder. Slimmer, quicker, and with a knack for rifling balls on target, it appears the Brazilian has worked harder than anyone leading up to the 2017 season. Now with an upgraded role as a potential starter on the right wing, it’s now or never for Ilson Jr. with numerous young options in the Union locker room vying for his spot on the field. We certainly haven’t seen the best of him yet and the early stages of the season will certainly be telling in regards to his fitness and ability to create more chances for this team. But with the likes of breakout sophomore Fabian Herbers and new signing Fafa Picault possessing the caliber of play to open up a game in an instant, “Skillsinho” will have to work even harder to prove his value in the starting XI going forward.

C.J. Sapong – The target man everyone has been watching this offseason. Possessing all the necessary traits and skills to be an All-Star caliber forward in this league, Sapong’s production hasn’t directly resonated to the level of output Jim Curtin has come to know and love about the 28-year old attacker. Now with a viable threat to his starting job on the squad in the form of English striker Jay Simpson, he will be under the biggest microscope as the 2017 season carries out. So far, he has looked to be better in the box and putting chances on net during the preseason and his hold up game is just as good, if not better, than last season. But as a number 9 in MLS, you need to produce goals; consistently and effectively in any situation you can to help put your team on the forefront. Sapong certainly has a lot to prove to his critics and the Union fanbase and time will tell whether he is the man Earnie Stewart views as the long-term solution to the Philadelphia attack.