25 matches into the 2025 season, Philadelphia Union are at the top of the table, sitting first in both the East and the Supporter's Shield standings. There's still nine games to go, and every result ahead will be crucial in the team's pursuit of a trophy.
On Tuesday, the club announced they had signed a strong addition to the group ahead of their final push -- hear from Sporting Director Ernst Tanner on the team's newest piece, 26-year-old Milan Iloski.
What did you see from Milan before his signing and what do you believe he'll bring to this team?
The goals speak for themselves. He's a very quick, aggressive striker-type. We do not have exactly that type of strike in our roster, and when we got the opportunity, we all thought, 'okay, we're going to need to strike here.'
He is, in a way, very versatile, playing more a second striker. I think he loves it when he has some company up front, as he can combine really well. His finishing quality is really out of the roof, and that was very impressive. That's what strikers usually should have.
This is the club's second deal with San Diego in the past month -- what about our system allows us to work well with them?
San Diego is a new franchise, but they share kind of the same vision, in a little bit different form, like us. They are very, very good business partners. They don't have an academy right now, better said, they have one, but they start with an under-13, so it will be a very good partner in the future as well. That's what we probably saw in all the trades we were doing so far with them, and it's a really good relationship we are having with these guys.
There are nine regular season games remaining on the schedule, what is the team pushing for in this last stretch?
It is, in a way, now, the balance to prepare for playoffs, but at the same time, focus on the silverware we could be winning. That's what we are trying to do from now.
It's always more difficult to stay up top instead of getting there. We all know that and acknowledge that, but I think we have shown what we are capable to do it, and we need to be competitive in the professional environment, and that's what we want to be. That's what we want to prepare, and I hope that at the end of the year, we are at least holding something in our hands.
Do you forsee Milan being a significant factor him in the push for the playoffs?
I think he will help pretty immediately, as he knows the league, he has been over here. Luckily, we don't need to go through a visa process. In general, if you sign somebody so late in the year, it's also always a signing for the future in addition, but here, I think we get lucky to cover both topics.
