Philadelphia Union: The Ole Onionbag (mailbag) week 10

After taking last week off due to double match week commitments, the Philadelphia Union mailbag is back! My do we have a lot to catch up on.

The Philadelphia Union are winning, a lot, having picked up a perfect 12 points in their previous four matches. With a win in Salt Lake City Saturday, this Union squad can be one game off of the longest winning streak in MLS this season. That streak is six matches by Toronto FC. Can the Union hit the streak? Only time will tell.

You can view the previous edition of The Ole Onionbag here.

Without further ado, let’s answer some questions!

Mike Bonfanti: Thoughts on the Union signing John Terry? Or any other MLS team for that matter.

Jason Hannigan: Which player, in your opinion, has been the biggest revelation thus far?

Such a tough question to answer but I have to go with Alejandro Bedoya. A polarizing member of the Philadelphia Union due to his Designated Player status, Bedoya was disappointing to begin the season. Most of this is because Bedoya is not a central attacking midfielder. Heck, Bedoya isn’t even a creative midfielder if we’re being honest.

But when we’re talking about Bedoya’s actual skills, he does them quite well. Since his move back to the eight, Bedoya has been a defensive monster helping to unleash the rest of the Philadelphia Union midfield. At his best, Bedoya elevates the play of those around him and with Ilsinho and Haris Medunjanin in the midfield with him, you’re seeing just that. While the numbers may never justify his one million dollar salary if he can keep influencing the play of those around him like he is now, Bedoya’s personal numbers won’t mean as much.

Tallahassee Union: Ilson Jr. appears to be a better answer at the 10 than Alberg. Do the Union move the latter this summer?

Ilsinho has been good at the 10 don’t get me wrong but I do not think that he has passed Alberg or is even a better answer at the position. Looking at the Colorado game especially, Ilsinho’s style of play will not work against a team that sits back and bunkers. In games like that, Alberg not being afraid to shoot and his ability to make things happen could be very important.

I’m not sure if Ilsinho’s play at the 10 is sustainable at his age either meaning that moving Alberg in the summer would be a huge risk. The best Philadelphia Union team will likely have both of them competing for time at the position. Enjoy the depth.

Dooper Scooper: What does Beckerman’s suspension do from a tactical perspective approaching RSL? Also, who’s number should I get on my jersey?

Beckerman’s suspension will mean that Real Salt Lake cannot push as high up the pitch as they otherwise would. Kyle Beckerman shields the backline for RSL allowing them to be aggressive in attack. Without him, they’ll have to sit back or risk giving the Philadelphia Union too much space to operate.

For the jersey question, I have two answers Haris Medunjunain and Derrick Jones. Medunjunain is becoming integral to the success of the team while also moving up league leaderboards. Haris is looking like the best offseason addition for the team and it isn’t even close. That justifies putting his number on your jersey.

Next: Union look to make it five wins in a row

For Derrick Jones, he is the example of the new Philadelphia Union road but his exploits are now growing beyond the team. As Jones puts on a show at the U-20 World Cup, his star is beginning to rise nationwide and in a few years, Jones could become a member of the full US Men’s National team. If you want a jersey of the brightest star on the team, look no further than Derrick Jones.

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