When the offseason began, the Union had a few clear priorities, and they are carefully checking each one off the list as preseason training approaches. The latest addition is the veteran center back that Ernst Tanner and his crew have targeted to give the back line more depth and experience, and it's a name familiar to anyone that has followed Major League Soccer the past few seasons.
Former MLS Cup MVP and third place finisher in Defender of the Year voting Aurelien Collin is joining Philadelphia Union. Collin has experience both in MLS and in transition-heavy systems that play a high back line, but even more important for Tanner and the Union he has a reputation as a positive locker room presence. "With our style, we must have a culture where everybody helps out and everybody helps each other," Tanner insisted. "Aurelien is exactly that type of person. He's always very good for the culture and locker room; he's a team player."
The 32-year old French defender has been in MLS since early 2011 when he signed with Sporting Kansas City. After helping them to a US Open Cup title (2012) and MLS Cup (2013), Collin was dealt to expansion side Orlando City SC after the 2014 season and stayed until early 2016 when he was acquired by New York Red Bulls. That means he can be ready to step into the first eleven at a moments notice, and that should give Jim Curtin the ability to rest Auston Trusty more than he was able to last season.
Overall, the Union saw Collin as one of the best veteran center back options on the market given their unique set of needs. "He speaks several languages, he's a very integrative person, he knows the league, knows the system," Tanner shrugs, "There's almost no argument for why we shouldn't have done this!"
Indeed, as the Union move into their first full season with two homegrown players as presumed starters, they now have plenty of support in back if anything goes awry. As preseason training approaches, then, the roster will continue to fill out. Recently signed goalie Carlos Miguel Coronel and Collin give Philly a very solid look in back, and Sergio Santos has added another strong option up front. As preseason gets under way and players begin preparation for Toronto FC on March 2, Tanner, Chris Albright, and the rest of the technical staff will continue to look to build a roster that fits the dynamic, transition-oriented style of play Philly wants to unleash on MLS in 2019.
