Philadelphia Union Must Hold the Line: Selling Key Players This Summer Would Jeopardize 2025 Success

The Philadelphia Union is one of the MLS teams not involved in the League Cup this year. Because of that, they get some rest at the end of July and the start of August. Coinciding with their rest is the opening of the summer transfer window. Over the past few summers, we’ve seen Philly sell a high-caliber player while sometimes bringing in a diamond-in-the-rough player who can shine in the future. What Philly does this summer will impact their chances of winning trophies this year.

Union players who need to stay in Philly this transfer window

A few weeks back, MLS insider Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport spoke on the Soccerwise podcast about the Union and their ambitions during the summer transfer window. If you want to listen, go to the July 17th Soccerwise pod and fast-forward to the 38:40 mark.

It’s about three minutes of Union talk. Still, there are so many interesting thoughts shared about the team: players who are getting offers, the potential (although unlikely) for newcomers this summer, and what Philly needs to compete for the Shield on this stretch run. The main point was keeping the three major players listed below in Philly this summer!

Olwethu Makhanya
Danley Jean Jacques
Quinn Sullivan

Bogert mentioned that the Union was getting transfer offers for these three crucial players, but the club wants to keep them through this summer. That was a week before the summer window opened, and things can always change regarding transfer negotiations. However, it seems as if Philadelphia would have to take a big-money offer to pull the trigger and allow these players who make up their spine to leave with nine games to play, especially when you see the Union topping the Eastern Conference Supporters’ Shield standings.

The curious case of Philadelphia’s striker position

Bogert also briefly mentioned the possibility of Philadelphia bringing in a new player on the Soccerwise podcast. While he had heard no rumors and was not reporting on the matter, he spoke about how Ernst Tanner loves to bring one or two players in during the summer window to replace players that are going to be sold off. Right now, Philadelphia’s position of need might be at the striker position, as Bogert talked about the following strikers and their situations at the club.

Mikael Uhre – Out of contract after the 2025 Season
Tai Baribo – Club option for the 2026 Season. Wants a new contract

Neither Uhre nor Baribo is set to leave Philly, but their contract situations cause some concern. Uhre has been vital to Philadelphia’s success, whether as a starter or when coming off the bench; his pace and directness give the Union verticality in their attack. Keeping him this summer must be a priority for the Union to achieve its goal of winning silverware. Baribo is the talisman for this team, and while he does have a club option for 2026, the Golden Boot challenger wants a new contract.

What Philly does with these strikers will be telling for the club’s future. It is unlikely either will be sold in this summer window, but their contracts being the center of attention right now might prompt Tanner to look for their replacements this summer, rather than adding an attacking depth piece to push for trophies. Maybe this is much ado about nothing, but time will tell.

Will the Union hold the line?

Union head coach Bradley Carnell has said in press conferences that he doesn’t see any additions being made to this team right now. With the home stretch in sight, the question for this transfer window is whether Philly will be a selling team or not. The answer to that question is still to be determined.

‘The club is in a great spot with the team that they have. They have a consistent group of starters and role players who can step up when called upon. Philly has even found places for their up-and-coming homegrowns to play through loan deals when they can’t feature for the first team. The vibes are high, and have been for most of the year; transferring any of the core players would put success at risk.

Philadelphia has nine games left in the regular season and hopes to continue its US Open Cup run. The Union is top of MLS with three months to go in the season. The stars are aligning for this club to be a team of destiny. Let’s see if they can defy the odds and stay at the top while not losing any players this summer.