Signings are Coming! Philadelphia Union rumored to be making two signings as preseason kicks off.

Philadelphia Union have been rumored to be signing two players as their preseason kicks off today (Tuesday, January 22, 2019).

Union head coach Jim Curtin (left) with possible new center back Aurelien Collin (right)? Mandatory Credit Jame Coban from his twitter account (@JameCoban)

On the eve of Philadelphia Union preseason, two rumors surfaced about the team adding two depth pieces. One was about the addition of veteran center back. Someone who could be in more of a mentor role for the young talented center backs Mark McKenzie, Auston Trutsy and Jack Elliot. The other was a backup goal keeper with the skills to play for the first team when Andre Blake is away with his national team. Let’s look at these two players.

Veteran center back to be added?

Looks like @PhilaUnion could be signing former @SportingKC @MLS Cup MVP and Best Eleven center back Aurelien Collin. He most recently played with @NewYorkRedBulls. This is the perfect defensive veteran signing the Union needed. #DOOP,@ampC2,@PhiladelphiaSN,#MLS pic.twitter.com/UoewyJZxB0

— Jeff Green PSN (@JeffGreen75) January 22, 2019

The Union are rumored to have signed Aurelien Collin. The longtime MLS veteran player won an MLS Cup with Sporting Kansas City. He played their for four years, from 2011 to 2014. He was a starter and leader for SKC in those four years, then went to Orlando City SC. In Orlando he played the starting center back role for a year in 2015, then fell out of favor in 2016 only playing in two matches for the Lions. He was traded to New York Red Bulls soon after he fell out of favor. He went on to have a great year with New York playing in 23 games. The past two seasons, he’s been a depth/bench player for the Red Bulls, and he looks to be reprising that role for the Union.

Collin is a great signing for Philadelphia, as he will be a guy who can mentor the core of young defenders the Union have. Should he be called upon to play matches, he has vast experience in MLS. His tenacious and physical play could make him a guy Union fans cheer for if he’s playing. There will be no shortage of crunching tackles from Collin in a blue and gold Union shirt.

Backup goalkeeper on the way in from Ernst Tanner’s old club?

Hearing Philadelphia Union has acquired 22-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. #DOOP #MLS pic.twitter.com/51p2pyznXH

— Jame Coban (@JameCoban) January 21, 2019

Another rumor of a signing of a position of need came through last night, as the Union are rumored to have acquired Carlos Miguel Coronel from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg. Yes, that’s the Red Bull Salzburg where Ernst Tanner was the academy manager for the past six years. Coronel was transferred to Salzburg back in 2017 from Red Bull Brasil’s U20 side. the young Brazilian no doubt made a good impression on Tanner, as the Union are rumored to acquire him only two years after he joined Red Bull Salzburg. Coronel will fill the role of back up goal keeper for Philadelphia in 2019.

With the departure of John McCarthy (he’s reportedly going to be playing in the USL Championship with Tampa Bay Rowdies) the Union need a quality back up keeper to come in when Andre Blake is away with national team duty. Carlos Miguel Coronel will bring just that. A keeper who made it out of Brazil to a Champions League contender in Austria is a great get for Philadelphia, even if Coronel never played a game for Salzburg, he was around that culture for two years, and Tanner obviously rates him highly, we’ll have to wait and see if he is a suitable MLS style backup.

Two possible signing, are there more out there?

Jozy Altidore sounds like he's leaving TFC..

"It's been a terrific time, but at the end of the day, it's a business ,When I say it's bittersweet it's because I've spent four years there. I kind of have roots put down there, my family enjoys it…." pic.twitter.com/jSDKCFasqf

— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) January 21, 2019

as the Union are adding pieces this week before the team heads down to Clearwater Florida, could we see any other signings come in? Obviously Tanner and Curtin have mentioned they want to sign a left back that can fight for minutes with Homegrown Matt Real, and they both have hinted at adding a versatile midfielder that can play the eight or the 10 spot. However, what if the Union went after a player that would be a create a buzz, what if they went after Jozy Altidore?

Altidore is rumored to be on the out with Toronto FC, and while his price tag may be high, the Union should at least inquire about what it would take to get him to Philly. If Tanner did go into negotiations for him could there be a player swap deal with extra cash from the Union? Could we see Tanner pull off a deal for Altidore by giving up an attacker like CJ Sapong (who many say has similar skill sets to Jozy) or David Accam and a fee of around $1,000,000? That would be a good bit of business, but if the bigger fish in market are keen on Altidore it likely won’t happen. But it would be dumb of Ernst Tanner and the Union front office to not even ask.

As the Union move through this hectic first week of preseason, we at Philly Sports Network will be here to keep you up to date on the first go of practices and any signings that are made official!