After a lengthy negotiation process, the Union announced that their Brazilian Super-Sub Ilsinho would be back with the Philadelphia Union for the 2020 season! His addition will give the Union the added skill, and a different dimension in the way they attack opponents in 2020.
Ilsinho will be a welcome addition to the Union’s 2020 roster, but there were a few doubts about whether or not he’d return to Philadelphia. About a week ago, Ilsinho’s sister took to Twitter saying her brother was not pleased at the contract offered by the Union, and that Ilsinho deserved more. This threw Union twitter in to full on speculation mode, and made some nervous about if the Brazilian would return. Be sure to check out El Parcero Philly’s take on that, and other Union news, in his latest Doop by the River! Just when it looked like Philadelphia may be without Ilsinho, the news broke that he would in fact be a Union player for the 2020 season!
Sporting director, Ernst Tanner is very pleased to have Ilsinho back in the Blue and Gold for 2020:
“We are pleased to have come to an agreement with Ilsinho and welcome him back to our roster for the 2020 season. His footwork and ability to press and possess on the attack are unmatched and proved to be crucial to our successful 2019 season, as they have over the last four seasons with the club. We look forward to what his continued leadership and skill will bring to our midfield this season.”
Sporting Director – Ernst Tanner
The coaching staff, the players and the fans should all echo Ernst’s excitement! Ilsinho changes the way the Union can play, especially when he comes off the bench. His ability to control the ball on the right wing and produce moments of magic is truly a blessing to this team. Without the skillful Brazilian, Philadelphia doesn’t have many other players that can take over a game when the club needs it most. While Ilsinho isn’t a starter, and he definitely should not start unless it’s out of necessity, he is still a vital piece to making the Union click. That was evident in 2019, as he absolutely destroyed teams.
Having Ilsinho back with the Union gives them options as they had in 2019. Being able to control the game by bringing in one player is an absolute game changer. The Union will likely look to use Ilsinho in that role. It should result in winning a few games where the Union would probably tie, or lose, without The Brazilian. Ilsinho will at least strike fear in opposing teams when he’s on the pitch, whether or not he balls out like he did in 2019 is still yet to be seen. We’ll have to wait and see how the Union use Ilsinho in 2020, but it’s nice to have him as an option to be that Super-Sub that he was last season!
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Peace out Union fans!
Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
