2025 Philadelphia Union Roster Preview: Defenders & Goalkeepers

The Philadelphia Union is in the midst of a rebuild for the first time in quite some time. The roster has seen some significant changes as the team heads toward the 2025 season with a new head coach. Bradley Carnell is at the helm, and his side will be tasked with playing like a traditional Red Bull-style team: fast-pressing and counter-attacking football that doesn’t utilize possession without a purpose.

Philly has played this way for a while, but now Ernst Tanner is looking for ways and players so the team can be built to play this way. Let’s take a look at the 2025 roster through the different positions, as spots are getting filled just 12 days before the first match. Starting off, we’ll look at defenders and goalkeepers.

Union, MLS — Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union Defenders

The Philadelphia Union’s defense will look different for the first time in many years as they parted ways with long-time centerback stalwart Jack Elliot. To replace him, Philly brought in loanee Ian Glavinovich from Newell’s Old Boys. The six-foot 23-year-old centerback is known for crunching tackles, recovery speed, and winning aerial duels. He has a lot to live up to to fill the void Elliot left.

Philly also brought up homegrown players Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield. Both were irreplaceable members of a Union II side that went on a cup run last year. Now, the two of them will be called upon to push the starters and be ready to go when called upon, likely as substitutes this season. Here’s a look at the rostered defenders for the Union.

Union Defenders

Ian Glavinovich – Center back
Jakob Glesnes – Center back
Nathan Harriel – Right back
Isaiah LaFlore – Left back
Olwethu Makhanya – Center back
Olivier Mbaizo – Right back
Neil Pierre – Centerback
Kai Wagner – Left Back
Frankie Westfield – Left/Right Back

On paper, the depth chart likely shows the starting defenders to be as follows: Wagner, Glavinovich, Glesnes, Harriel. That back four has pace, the ability to play out of the back, and the wherewithal to win the ball in the air. Mbaizo will be pushing Harriel for minutes as the two have been splitting the right back position for the last few years, but expect the other four defenders on this list to be role players, spot starters, or late-game subs.

While this is a rebuilding year, the defense has been asked to carry the Union before. Will they be asked to do so again while aiding one of the best goalkeepers in the league, Andre Blake?

Philadelphia Union Goalkeepers

When you think of the Philadelphia Union over the last decade, you think of outstanding goalkeeping, mainly from Jamaican sensation Andre Blake. Blake has had a rough go over the past few years with injury woes that have left him unable to be the man between the sticks for Philly game in and game out. Will this be the case yet again in 2025?

Philadelphia does have homegrown Andrew Rick, who balled out for the second team last season and even got some first-team minutes, and Oliver Semmle, who had an up-and-down season in 2024 when called upon to replace Blake. Those are the three goalkeepers on the roster, and all three will be ready to be called into action.

Union Goalkeepers

Andre Blake
Andrew Rick
Oliver Semmle

Union fans will be hoping 2025 is a year without injury setbacks for captain Andre Blake. He is due for a monster year if he can stay healthy, and the club will be leaning on him as they begin this rebuild. If Blake should have to miss extended periods of time, I’d expect to see Andrew Rick get the nod over Oliver Semmle; there’s something about his athleticism that seems to make him the next man up.

Defense and goalkeeping will be the key to the Union’s rebuild. If they can play at a high level, then this team’s ceiling is likely a playoff spot and a deep US Open Cup run; if they falter, then the outlook will be much more bleak. As we continue to preview the Union’s 2025 roster, we will look at the midfielders and strikers in the coming days; stay tuned!