2025 Philadelphia Union Roster Preview: Strikers

The Philadelphia Union season is just 10 days away! Philly is ramping up its rebuilding year with a new coach and a host of new and hungry players. Can this Union team compete with the rest of MLS after missing the playoffs for the first time in years last year? If so, it’ll need its attack to be on point.

If it’s one area that Philadelphia has struggled in in their 16 years worth of existence, it’s been getting consistent attacking play. There have always been great players in their attack, but consistency has been the difference between success and failure. Look at the 2022 season as an example; that team scored 79 goals, which was Philly’s best attacking year statistically. As the club moves into 2025, there is uncertainty about what this attack can produce; there is talent, but will it be enough to make this team a contender?

Philadelphia Union Strikers

Over the last few seasons, we have seen Philly bolster its strikers with its patented type of signings. They have found diamonds in the rough with the potential to ball out. Think Julian Carranza, Mikael Uhre, and Tai Baribo. All three of those players were crucial to Philly’s success. Now, Carranza is gone, and Baribo and Uhre are the big guns. The Union is hoping they don’t show a decline in 2025. Here’s a look at them and the other strikers on the roster.

Markus Anderson
Tai Baribo
*Bruno Damiani*
Eddy Davis
Chris Donovan
Nelson Pierre
Mikael Uhre

Aside from Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo, the rest of the striker core features some homegrown (Eddy Davis and Nelson Pierre) and young strikers not ready to take the mantle of starter (Chris Donovan and Markus Anderson.) The only other name on the list is Bruno Damiani. He is not yet a Union player, but the 22-year-old Uruguayan is said to be finalizing a move to Philly; he’d be the club’s record signing with a few of over $3 million for his services. Will his addition help the Union’s attack go from good to great?

What can this Union attack be?

If the rumors are true and Damiani comes in as a DP-level striker, then he will join Uhre and Gazdag as Philadelphia’s Designated players. That could be a fierce attack, and when you factor in Baribo’s form last year (and his 16 goals from 26 matches), this Philly attack could be a strength of the team.

Yet again, it will come down to the team’s ability to execute. Can they be ruthless in attack using a counter-attacking system, or will it take time for the attack to start firing? We have seen Philly be hot-and-cold to start seasons before. What can they conjure up for 2025? I guess we will have to wait and see when the first ball is kicked on February 22nd!

Daniel Gazdag, Union — Sep 18, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Daniel Gazdag (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against New York City FC with forward Tai Baribo (28) during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

With the strikers now being previewed, we have looked at the roster from top to bottom. Make sure to check out our previews of the goalkeepers, defenders, and midfielders as we barrel towards the start of the 2025 MLS season!