This is the second positional segment of our 2016 season preview series. You can see our breakdown of midfielders here. This past week, we talked about the defenders, with previews on Ray Gaddis, Richie Marquez and the rookies, Keegan Rosenberry and Josh Yaro. Since then, second round pick Taylor Washington has also been signed. As has Ken Tribbett. This week, we’ll continue with the attacking wingers and forward before finishing up with goalkeepers next week. Fans can suggest their starters by using the hashtag #UnionXI or by leaving their comment below. Who should start out of this group?
It was evident some changes were needed during the offseason if the Union were going to take the next step forward under head coach Jim Curtin. After allowing 55 goals during the 2015 season – fifth most in the league – Curtin and sporting director Earnie Stewart appeared to focus a lot of time on a path toward re-shaping the back four.
Consider that done. The Union will open the 2016 regular season with eight defenders on the roster with five waiting to make their Union debut (and MLS). From the SuperDraft, Josh Yaro, Keegan Rosenberry and Taylor Washington will all be expected to contribute; it’s just a question of when. Newly-signed Ken Tribbett and loanee Anderson Conceicao should also both push for minutes at center back.
Regardless, though, the holdovers will be just as important. It’s a group that Curtin has long stressed his belief in, but the three will be tested early and often just to keep their jobs. But that’s been an open proposition throughout camp and should remain through the year.
Either way, the overhaul could be a good thing as the Union defense hardly resembles what it did a year ago today. Certainly it must be said that this group will be young and inexperienced. But nowhere in the MLS rulebook does it say you can’t win with kids. And a youth movement might just be what the club needed.
Now, with so many minutes up for grabs, the question is who will take advantage of the opportunity?
Returning starters
Ray Gaddis
(28 GP, 27 GS, 0G, 1A, 78 percent passing, 6 clean sheets): The 26-year-old right back is suddenly the defense’s longest-tenured player – and certainly the most experienced. Ever-dependable, Gaddis provides elite-level agility and the flexibility to play both fullback positions. He’s battled a knee injury throughout preseason that has kept him out of Union preseason matches since Feb. 6, but expect him to be in the mix and competing with rookie Keegan Rosenberry at right back. He’s fourth all-time in Union history in minutes played and will be a factor somewhere.
Richie Marquez
(21 GP, 20 GS, 0G, 0A, 80.1 passing, 8 CS): After spending 2014 in USL, Marquez anchored the central defense in his first MLS season last year, starting 20 of the team’s final 24 matches. Still just 23 years old, Marquez appears to be a big piece for Curtin and Stewart going forward, and it’s hard to see his playing time diminishing after a successful rookie year.
Fabinho
(26 GP, 23 GS, 1G, 3A, 74.3 passing, 7 CS): Originally expected to be a reserve in 2015, Fabinho wound up anchoring the left back position and arguably had his best professional season in his entire career. He’ll turn 31 in March, but the veteran is a dangerous option in the attack, typically hugging the left sideline for width, while also having the ability to blow by defenders and get to the end line before making a cross. Don’t be fooled by his passing percentages – as it was dragged down from his crossing numbers – he can be very dangerous in the combination game.
Newcomers
Anderson Conceicao
(30 GP, 0G at America Mineiro Football Club): On loan and just 26 years old, Anderson will actually be the second-oldest defender on the team. And while he comes with plenty of experience, the left-footed center back is clearly here for his athleticism and ball-playing abilities. A gifted passer out of the back, he’ll have a real chance to contribute in possession-oriented games. But he’s no slouch, physically, either – he should be able to provide an aerial option. As Curtin has stressed all preseason long, the center back position is a tight battle. Expect him to battle with Yaro and Tribbett for minutes alongside Marquez.
Keegan Rosenberry
(21 GP, 21 GS, 2G, 2A at Georgetown): You may notice a trend of athleticism and flexibility throughout this report, but Rosenberry fits that bill as well. He’s a player Curtin is more than familiar with, and while Rosenberry was clearly drafted with the No. 3 overall pick to make a splash at right back, he was originally a central midfielder prior to Georgetown and certainly has the technical attacking ability to get forward – in addition to the type of pace the Union appear to be looking for. Expect a healthy battle between him and Gaddis going forward.
Ken Tribbett (28 GP, 28 GS, 3G, 0A at Harrisburg City Islanders): Regardless of being announced today, Tribbett has made a name for himself during this preseason – including scoring a goal against Tampa Bay Rowdies – by providing the type of physical presence this back line might need. And with his athleticism at 6-2, he also provides a legitimate aerial threat for set pieces on both sides of the field. He’s a real darkhorse to push for serious minutes as Curtin had made abundantly clear.
Taylor Washington
(12 GP, 11 GS, 0G, 0A at George Mason): A left-footed fullback, Washington will provide some much-needed depth behind Fabinho, perhaps pushing for a regular spot. But there’s definitely a trend here, as the 22-year-old’s game appears to resemble that of Fabinho’s in that he has the ability to get forward and spray balls into the box.
Josh Yaro
(17 GP, 17 GS, 0G, 1A at Georgetown): The No. 2 overall pick back in January has unlimited potential, but where he lines up on Day One remains to be seen. Athletic and naturally gifted on his feet, Yaro is a former National Player of the Year in 2014 from TopDrawerSoccer.com and the 2015 Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He’s obviously a key component to Curtin and Stewart’s future, but now we wonder where and when it starts. He has the ability to play both center back and right back, but Stewart has stressed Yaro was drafted to play in the center.
This is the seventh installment of the 2016 Philadelphia Union season preview. All month at PhiladelphiaUnion.com, we'll be breaking down what lies ahead with the season less than one month away. What's on your mind regarding the Union's defense this year? Fans can vote their suggestions for starting spots by using the hashtag #UnionXI or by leaving their comment below. Who should start out of this group?
