Philadelphia Union 2026 Season Preview

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Major League Soccer

·16 February 2026

Philadelphia Union 2026 Season Preview

By MLSsoccer staff

2026 Schedule

First game: Feb. 21 - 7:30 pm ET at D.C. United
Home opener: March 1 - 4:30 pm ET vs. New York City FC
Full schedule
Watch on Apple TV

Team Snapshot

The Philadelphia Union have a Supporters' Shield title to defend, having earned 66 points a season ago as Bradley Carnell was named the Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year.

OneFootball Videos

To do so, they'll need to replace 2025 MLS Best XI defenders Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner. Same goes for last year's leading scorer, Tai Baribo (16g/3a).

True to their development style, the Union will integrate a host of youngsters from their academy and abroad – even if they're not yet household names.

Key Signings

Agustín Anello: The former US youth international attacker arrives from Boston River in the Uruguayan Primera División.
Ezekiel Alladoh: Philly spent a club-record fee (reportedly $4.5 million) to acquire the 20-year-old Ghanaian striker from Swedish top-flight side IF Brommapojkarna.
Geiner Martínez: The Colombian defender arrives following stints in Uruguay's first division with Juventud and Central Español.
Japhet Sery Larsen: The Union bolstered their center-back room with Sery Larsen, who arrives from Norway's SK Brann.

Full roster

Goals on goals on goals from Ezekiel Alladoh! #DOOP
– Wednesday, 3 December 2025

Key Departures

Tai Baribo: Last season’s top goalscorer was traded to D.C. United for up to $4.6 million. There, he replaces 2024 MLS Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke.
Jakob Glesnes: The former MLS Defender of the Year, two-time MLS Best XI honoree and three-time MLS All-Star was traded to the LA Galaxy for up to $2.2 million in General Allocation Money (plus a sell-on percentage).
Mikael Uhre: The joint-third-highest goalscorer in club history saw his contract end after the 2025 season. He has since joined FC Midtjylland in Denmark.
Kai Wagner: Philadelphia’s all-time assists leader (54) was transferred to EFL Championship side Birmingham City.

Projected Starting XI

Predictions

Apple TV talent predict the 2026 regular season for the Philadelphia Union.

Andrés Agulla: 8th in Eastern Conference
Marcelo Balboa: 13th in Eastern Conference
Max Bretos: 7th in Eastern Conference
Steve Cangialosi: 4th in Eastern Conference
Daniel Chapela: 4th in Eastern Conference
Miguel Gallardo: 4th in Eastern Conference
Michele Giannone: 5th in Eastern Conference
Tony Husband: 5th in Eastern Conference
Sacha Kljestan: 8th in Eastern Conference
Kaylyn Kyle: 2nd in Eastern Conference
Lori Lindsey: 6th in Eastern Conference
Dax McCarty: 4th in Eastern Conference
Sammy Sadovnik: 5th in Eastern Conference
Bruno Vain: 3rd in Eastern Conference
Bradley Wright-Phillips: 7th in Eastern Conference

New Kit

BUY NOW: Philadelphia Union’s 1776 Kit

As our city and country takes center stage in 2026, this kit bridges local pride with global relevance. The 1776 kit was made here, but will be seen everywhere. #DOOP
– Tuesday, 10 February 2026