2016 Philadelphia Union season
# 2016 Philadelphia Union season

The 2016 Philadelphia Union season was the seventh season of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The team was managed by Jim Curtin, his third season with the club. The 2016 season marked the Union's second appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the first time since the 2011 season.

## Background

### 2016 MLS SuperDraft

| Round | Pick | Name | Position | Nationality | School |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 2 | Josh Yaro | Defender | Ghana | Georgetown |
| 3 | Keegan Rosenberry | Defender | United States | Georgetown |
| 6 | Fabian Herbers | Midfielder | Germany | Creighton |
| 2 | 23 | Taylor Washington | Defender | United States | George Mason |
| 3 | 44 | Mitchell Lurie | Defender | United States | Rutgers |
| 4 | 64 | Cole Missimo | Midfielder | United States | Northwestern |

### 2015 MLS regular season

The 2015 Philadelphia Union MLS regular season saw the team go 10–17–7, finishing 9th in the Eastern Conference and 18th overall. From the beginning of the season to the summer break, the Union went 4-9-3, including a four-game losing streak from April 19 to May 9. After the summer break, the Union fared only slightly better, going 6-8-4. The Union missed the MLS Cup Playoffs for the 4th consecutive season.

### 2015 U.S. Open Cup

The 2015 U.S. Open Cup was the second year in a row in which the Union were runners-up in the U.S. Open Cup. The Union entered the competition in the fourth round along with the other 16 US-based MLS clubs. In that round, the Union defeated the Rochester Rhinos, a team in the USL, the third tier of the American soccer pyramid, 3-1 on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw through extra time. In the next round, the Union defeated D.C. United 2-1. The Union then went on to defeat the New York Red Bulls 4-3 on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw aet. In the semifinals, the Union beat the Chicago Fire 1-0. In the final, the Union lost to Sporting Kansas City 6-7 on penalties, after going 1-1.

## 2016 roster

As of January 24, 2016.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | GK | JAM | Andre Blake (GA) |
| 2 | MF | GUY | Warren Creavalle |
| 3 | DF | USA | Taylor Washington |
| 4 | DF | USA | Ken Tribbett |
| 6 | MF | NED | Roland Alberg |
| 7 | MF | USA | Brian Carroll (Captain) |
| 8 | MF | USA | Maurice Edu (DP) |
| 9 | FW | USA | Charlie Davies |
| 10 | MF | SUI | Tranquillo Barnetta |
| 11 | MF | USA | Alejandro Bedoya (DP) |
| 12 | DF | USA | Keegan Rosenberry |
| 13 | MF | USA | Chris Pontius |
| 14 | MF | GER | Fabian Herbers (GA) |
| 15 | DF | GHA | Josh Yaro (GA) |
| 16 | DF | USA | Richie Marquez |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 17 | FW | USA | C. J. Sapong |
| 18 | MF | CMR | Eric Ayuk Mbu |
| 19 | MF | USA | Cole Missimo |
| 20 | MF | COL | Wálter Restrepo |
| 21 | MF | USA | Derrick Jones (HGP) |
| 22 | MF | BRA | Leo Fernandes |
| 23 | MF | BRA | Anderson Conceição (on loan from Tombense) |
| 24 | GK | ENG | Matt Jones (on loan from Belenenses) |
| 25 | MF | BRA | Ilsinho |
| 26 | DF | USA | Auston Trusty (HGP) |
| 27 | GK | USA | John McCarthy |
| 28 | DF | USA | Ray Gaddis |
| 32 | MF | GER | Kevin Kratz |
| 33 | DF | BRA | Fabinho |

## Squad breakdown

### Current squad

| No. | Name | Position | Date of birth (age) | Signed From |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Goalkeepers ||||||
| 1 | Andre Blake (GA) | GK | (1990-11-21) November 21, 1990 (age 32) | UConn |
| 24 | Matt Jones | GK | (1986-05-11) May 11, 1986 (age 37) | Belenenses |
| 27 | John McCarthy | GK | (1992-07-04) July 4, 1992 (age 31) | Rochester Rhinos |
| Defenders ||||||
| 3 | Taylor Washington | LB | (1993-08-16) August 16, 1993 (age 29) | George Mason University |
| 4 | Ken Tribbett | CB | (1991-08-25) August 25, 1991 (age 31) | Bethlehem Steel FC |
| 12 | Keegan Rosenberry | RB | (1993-12-11) December 11, 1993 (age 29) | Georgetown University |
| 15 | Joshua Yaro (INT, GA) | CB | (1994-03-07) March 7, 1994 (age 29) | Georgetown University |
| 16 | Richie Marquez | CB | (1992-05-26) May 26, 1992 (age 31) | University of Redlands |
| 23 | Anderson Conceição | CB | (1989-10-24) October 24, 1989 (age 33) | Tombense Futebol Clube |
| 26 | Auston Trusty (HGP) | CB | (1998-08-12) August 12, 1998 (age 24) | Bethlehem Steel FC |
| 28 | Ray Gaddis | RB | (1990-01-13) January 13, 1990 (age 33) | West Virginia University |
| 33 | Fabinho | LB | (1985-03-16) March 16, 1985 (age 38) | Sydney FC |
| Midfielders ||||||
| 2 | Warren Creavalle | DM | (1990-08-14) August 14, 1990 (age 32) | Toronto FC |
| 6 | Roland Alberg (INT) | CM | (1990-08-06) August 6, 1990 (age 32) | ADO Den Haag |
| 7 | Brian Carroll | DM | (1981-07-20) July 20, 1981 (age 42) | Columbus Crew SC |
| 8 | Maurice Edu (DP) | DM | (1986-04-18) April 18, 1986 (age 37) | Stoke City |
| 10 | Tranquillo Barnetta (INT) | CM | (1985-05-22) May 22, 1985 (age 38) | Schalke 04 |
| 11 | Alejandro Bedoya (DP) | CM/RM | (1987-04-29) April 29, 1987 (age 36) | FC Nantes |
| 13 | Chris Pontius | LM | (1987-05-12) May 12, 1987 (age 36) | D.C. United |
| 14 | Eric Ayuk Mbu (INT) | LM/RM | (1997-02-17) February 17, 1997 (age 26) | Rainbow FC Bamenda |
| 19 | Cole Missimo | MF | (1993-02-15) February 15, 1993 (age 30) | Northwestern Wildcats |
| 21 | Derrick Jones (HGP) | MF | (1997-03-03) March 3, 1997 (age 26) | Bethlehem Steel FC |
| 22 | Leo Fernandes | RM | (1991-12-23) December 23, 1991 (age 31) | Reading United A.C. |
| 25 | Ilsinho (INT) | CM/RM | (1985-10-12) October 12, 1985 (age 37) | Shakhtar Donetsk |
| Forwards ||||||
| 9 | Charlie Davies | CF | (1986-06-25) June 25, 1986 (age 37) | New England Revolution |
| 14 | Fabian Herbers (INT, GA) | CF | (1993-08-17) August 17, 1993 (age 29) | Creighton University |
| 17 | C.J. Sapong | CF | (1988-12-27) December 27, 1988 (age 34) | Sporting Kansas City |

Last updated: January 24, 2016. Source: Philadelphia Union

DP indicates Designated Player GA indicates Generation Adidas Player HGP indicates Home Grown Player INT indicates MLS International Player and qualifies for an international roster spot

## Competitions

### Preseason

Source: MLS

## Statistics

Statistics are from all MLS league matches as documented by MLSsoccer.com.

| Nat. | No. | Player | Pos. | Apps | Starts | G | A | | | Acquired |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | 2 | CreavalleWarren Creavalle | CM | 27 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | Trade |
| | 3 | WashingtonTaylor Washington | CB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| | 4 | TribbettKen Tribbett | CB | 22 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | Signed |
| | 5 | NogueiraVincent Nogueira† | DM | 8 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Signed |
| | 6 | AlbergRoland Alberg | CM | 28 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Signed |
| | 7 | CarrollBrian Carroll | DM | 26 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | Trade |
| | 8 | EduMaurice Edu | DM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Signed |
| | 9 | Le TouxSebastien Le Toux† | LM/RM | 18 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 0 | Trade |
| | 9 | DaviesCharlie Davies | CF/CF | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Trade |
| | 10 | BarnettaTranquillo Barnetta | CM | 29 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 0 | Signed |
| | 11 | BedoyaAlejandro Bedoya | MF | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Signed |
| | 12 | RosenberryKeegan Rosenberry | RB | 34 | 34 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| | 13 | PontiusChris Pontius | LM | 33 | 32 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 0 | Trade |
| | 14 | HerbersFabian Herbers | CF | 21 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | SuperDraft |
| | 15 | YaroJoshua Yaro | LB/CB | 17 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | SuperDraft |
| | 16 | MarquezRichie Marquez | CB | 33 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| | 17 | SapongCJ Sapong | CF | 31 | 29 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Trade |
| | 18 | Ayuk MbuEric Ayuk Mbu | LM/RM | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Signed |
| | 19 | MissimoCole Missimo | MF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Signed |
| | 20 | RestrepoWalter Restrepo | LM | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Signed |
| | 21 | JonesDerrick Jones | MF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Homegrown |
| | 22 | FernandesLeo Fernandes | RM | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| | 23 | AndersonAnderson | CB | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Loan |
| | 25 | IlsinhoIlsinho | CM/RM | 25 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Signed |
| | 26 | TrustyAuston Trusty | CB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Homegrown |
| | 28 | GaddisRay Gaddis | RB | 7 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| | 33 | FabinhoFabinho | LB | 29 | 29 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | Signed |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 50 | 42 | 57 | 8 |

    Players with names marked † left the club during the playing season.
    Players with names in italics were loaned players.

### Goalkeepers

| Nat. | No. | Player | Apps | Starts | Record | GA | GAA | SO | | | Acquired |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | 1 | BlakeAndre Blake | 32 | 32 | 10–13–9 | 50 | 1.56 | 6 | 0 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| | 24 | JonesMatt Jones | 1 | 1 | 1–0–0 | 2 | 2.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Loan |
| | 27 | McCarthyJohn McCarthy | 1 | 1 | 0–1–0 | 3 | 3.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Signed |
| Total | Total | Total | 34 | 34 | 11–14–9 | 55 | 1.61 | 6 | 0 | 0 |

    Record = W-L-D

### Standings

**Eastern Conference standings**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 4 | D.C. United | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 53 | 47 | +6 | 46 | Knockout round |
| 5 | Montreal Impact | 34 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 49 | 53 | −4 | 45 | Knockout round |
| 6 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 52 | 55 | −3 | 42 | Knockout round |
| 7 | New England Revolution | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 44 | 54 | −10 | 42 | |
| 8 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 55 | 60 | −5 | 41 | |

**Overall standings**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 11 | Montreal Impact | 34 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 49 | 53 | −4 | 45 |
| 12 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 48 | 53 | −5 | 44 |
| 13 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 52 | 55 | −3 | 42 |
| 14 | New England Revolution | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 44 | 54 | −10 | 42 |
| 15 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 55 | 60 | −5 | 41 |

* ↑ CONCACAF Champions League Selection Procedure Four US-based teams qualify for the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League: The winner of the MLS Cup 2016 (Seattle Sounders FC); The winner of the Supporters' Shield (FC Dallas); The regular season conference champion that did not win the Supporters Shield (New York Red Bulls); The winner of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (FC Dallas; already qualified, so berth passes to Colorado Rapids) Should a team qualify through more than one method, or should a team from Canada occupy any MLS qualifying place, the next best US team in the overall table would take its place. One Canada-based team qualifies for the Champions League (NOTE: Canadian teams cannot qualify through MLS): The winner of the 2016 and 2017 Canadian Championship (Toronto FC)

## Transfers

### In

| Date | Player | Number | Position | Previous club | Fee/notes |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| December 7, 2015 | Chris Pontius | 13 | LM | D.C. United | Traded for general and targeted allocation money |
| January 12, 2016 | Wálter Restrepo | 20 | LM | New York Cosmos | Undisclosed transfer fee |
| January 14, 2016 | Joshua Yaro | 15 | LB/CB | Georgetown University | 2016 MLS SuperDraft |
| January 14, 2016 | Keegan Rosenberry | 12 | RB | Georgetown University | 2016 MLS SuperDraft |
| January 14, 2016 | Fabian Herbers | 11 | CF | Creighton University | 2016 MLS SuperDraft |
| February 4, 2016 | Roland Alberg | 6 | CM | ADO Den Haag | Undisclosed transfer fee |
| February 23, 2016 | Ken Tribbett | 4 | CB | Bethlehem Steel | Free |
| February 24, 2016 | Ilsinho | 25 | CM/RM | Shakhtar Donetsk | Free |
| July 27, 2016 | Derrick Jones | 21 | MF | Bethlehem Steel | Signed as a Homegrown Player |
| August 3, 2016 | Alejandro Bedoya | 9 | MF | FC Nantes | Signed as a Designated Player |
| August 4, 2016 | Charlie Davies | 11 | FW | New England Revolution | Acquired in exchange for General and Targeted Allocation Money, and a first round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft |

### Out

| Date | Player | Number | Position | New club | Fee/notes |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| December 7, 2015 | Cristian Maidana | 10 | AM/MF | Houston Dynamo | Traded for allocation money and a 2016 SuperDraft pick |
| December 7, 2015 | Andrew Wenger | 11 | LW/ST | Houston Dynamo | Traded for allocation money and a 2016 SuperDraft pick |
| December 10, 2015 | Dzenan Catic | 19 | FW | Rio Grande Valley FC Toros | Option declined |
| December 10, 2015 | Danny Cruz | 44 | FW | Minnesota United FC | Option declined |
| December 10, 2015 | Fred Carreiro | 77 | MF | Bethlehem Steel FC | Option declined |
| December 10, 2015 | Conor Casey | 6 | FW | Columbus Crew SC | Option declined |
| December 10, 2015 | Antoine Hoppenot | 29 | FW | FC Cincinnati | Option declined |
| December 10, 2015 | Ethan White | 15 | DM | New York City FC | Traded for 2016 MLS SuperDraft pick |
| December 10, 2015 | Steven Vitória | 23 | CB | S.L. Benfica | Option declined |
| December 10, 2015 | Eric Bird | 21 | MF | Rio Grande Valley FC Toros | Option declined |
| December 10, 2015 | Jimmy McLaughlin | 20 | LW/RW | FC Cincinnati | Option declined |
| December 11, 2015 | Zac MacMath | 18 | GK | Colorado Rapids | Traded for 2016 MLS SuperDraft pick |
| January 15, 2016 | Zach Pfeffer | 18 | MF | Colorado Rapids | Traded for 2016 MLS SuperDraft pick |
| May 24, 2016 | Michael Lahoud | 13 | MF | Miami FC | Undisclosed Transfer Fee |
| June 16, 2016 | Vincent Nogueira | 5 | DM | RC Strasbourg | Mutually Terminated Contract |
| August 3, 2016 | Sébastien Le Toux | 9 | MF | Colorado Rapids | Traded for General Allocation Money |

### Loan in

| Date | Player | Number | Position | Loaned from |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| January 13, 2016 | Anderson Conceição | 23 | CB | Tombense Futebol Clube |
| February 9, 2016 | Matt Jones | | GK | Belenenses |

### Loan out

| Date | Player | Number | Position | Loaned to |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| January 12, 2015 | Michael Lahoud | 13 | MF | New York Cosmos |

## Honors and awards

### MLS Player of the Week

| Week | Player | Stats |
| - | - | - |
| 14 | Chris Pontius | 1G 1A |
| 16 | Roland Alberg | 4G |
| 18 | Ilsinho | 2G |

### MLS Goal of the Week

| Week | Player | Link |
| - | - | - |
| 14 | Chris Pontius | |

### MLS Save of the Week

| Week | Player | Link |
| - | - | - |
| 16 | Andre Blake | |

### MLS All-Stars 2016

| Position | Player | Notes |
| - | - | - |
| GK | Andre Blake | Starting XI |
| DF | Keegan Rosenberry | Starting XI |

### End of Season Awards

| Player | Award | Notes |
| - | - | - |
| Andre Blake | MLS Goalkeeper of the Year | First to win award in club history |
| Keegan Rosenberry | MLS Fair Play Award | |
| Chris Pontius | MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award | |
