If you follow Major League Soccer and the league's website, then you are very much alert to the writings of senior writer Matthew Doyle.
As Philadelphia Union prepare to depart for Clearwater, Florida, for the first of two legs of preseason training, let's take a look at what Doyle said were the biggest targets for the Boys in Blue prior to the start of the 2020 season.
Bring Jamiro Monteiro Back
In Doyle's piece about the top shopping lists for MLS squads, the number one priority for the Union should have been to bring the midfielder back. Clearly he was right as the Union announced on January 10 that they had completed a permanent transfer from FC Metz in exchange for a club record $2 million transfer fee. In addition, Monteiro signed a new three-year Designated Player contract, with a club option for a fourth year.
Figure out how to replace Haris Medunjanin
With Monteiro checked off the list, the No. 6 slot that had been occupied by the veteran midfielder that was claimed by FC Cincinnati in the 2019 End of Year Waiver Draft. Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner did just that with not one but two offseason signings in Jose "El Brujo" Martinez and Matej Oravec.
Re-Sign Ilsinho
In Doyle's big question for 2020 about Philadelphia Union he focused primarily the Brazilian midfielder. Worth noting that the Union and Ilsinho are still in discussions on a contract for 2020, with Tanner saying Monday to media that Ilsinho "just needs to put his signature on to the contract. That's it."
We'll just have to wait and see if that happens...
