Photo: Paul Rudderow

The hot stove season starts in a few weeks. The question is who Philadelphia Union will target.

New sporting director Earnie Stewart changes the paradigm significantly, likely bringing in transfer targets he scouted while at AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. It means the traditional pool of available players may be very different from past years. Don’t be surprised to see some unknown, young players from the Netherlands finding their way to the Union’s roster.

That said, it doesn’t mean you can’t play the parlor game and float some transfer targets for the club to consider.

So let’s play.

How to approach this transfer target list

As with any such list, use some common sense. In some cases, the players on the list below represent specific players the Union should consider. In others, they may simply represent a way of thinking to approach the marketplace. You may see one guy on the list who may never come anywhere near MLS, but a similar player from a similar background could show up instead. Personal preferences and contacts matter a great deal in this business.

Additionally, you’ll notice this list is light on domestic names. That’s because we don’t know all the players in MLS who will be out of contract once the MLS Cup final comes and goes. So presume that more names will join the list once that happens.

Lastly, this list is geared heavily toward free transfers, because that’s how MLS generally works and these players may represent better value and lower risk as a result.

Ideal roster breakdown by position

Here is the breakdown of the minimum number of players per position for the Union’s 28-man roster, predicated upon the team continuing to play a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

Goalkeepers: 2

Center backs: 4

Fullbacks: 4 (2 left, 2 right)

No. 6 center midfielders: 2

No. 8 center midfielders: 2

Attacking midfielders: 6

Center forwards: 2

That total of 22 leaves six open roster spots. Most likely, one would be able to play center forward, while another would be capable of playing a second striker role to increase formation flexibility (although Sebastien Le Toux can already fill this role). A veteran third goalkeeper should be considered, along with additional midfielders and particularly players who can play multiple positions and fill a utility role for the club. However, a third goalkeeper is not absolutely necessary due to the close proximity of the reserve squad with the USL club in Bethlehem, as players there can be recalled on short notice.

Transfer targets

(ordered by position, not priority of signing) Player Analysis Will Packwood, 22, CB The U.S. youth international remains without a club after leaving English side Birmingham, where injuries often curtailed his progress, but he is regarded well enough that he has still been called in for Olympic qualifiers. At 6-3, he has good size, and he is young. The Union should look to sign him, under the premise that even if he doesn’t break through immediately with the first team, he can find minutes starting with their reserve side in Bethlehem. Ondrej Mazuch, 26, CB A quality center back recovering from injury, the Czech international has started regularly in the first tiers of Belgium and Ukraine but is currently a free agent. Inquire as to interest. He may prefer a club in Europe, but it’s worth trying. Ron Vlaar, 30, CB Holland international, currently a free agent. Left Aston Villa as a free agent and then tore his meniscus for the second time in 8 months. Recovery time will leave him out of action till January. Was drawing interest from Southampton and Lazio before injury. Inquire about his interest in MLS. He wants to play in Europe, but if there no suitors after his recent injuries, it’s worth taking a chance on this top player. Would probably be a designated player if signed. Urby Emanuelson, 29, LB/LW Earnie Stewart should be familiar with this former Ajax star and Dutch international who also played in Italy with Milan, Roma and most recently Atalanta. He is versatile enough to play left back, left wing or center midfield. He was linked with moves to England and Brazil this past transfer window but remains a free agent. Kevin Constant, 28, LB/MF The former Milan left back and midfielder recently ended his contract with Turkish side Trabonzpor after a run-in with Turkish airport authorities. To give him the benefit of the doubt, he wouldn’t be the first person to have trouble with overzealous Turkish authorities. Either way, he’s available as a free agent, although probably too expensive for MLS tastes until he finds he’s not in demand in Europe. Chris Klute, 25, LB Fast left back with good crossing ability. Impressed and broke through for Colorado Rapids under Oscar Pareja, an excellent attack-minded coach. After Pareja left for Dallas, Klute was marginalized by noted tactical genius coaching disaster Pablo Mastroeni. Columbus acquired him via bargain trade despite already having a good left back in Waylon Francis. Klute hasn’t won the starting job but, given extended minutes, could regain his best form. Acquire via trade and give him the chance to beat Fabinho for the starting job in training camp. Oriol Rosell, 23, CDM Sporting Lisbon has granted Rosell’s request to leave the club, and he could seek a return to MLS during the winter transfer window. He is an excellent defensive midfielder, able to shield a back line, maintain possession well, and move forward as needed. Kansas City will likely to seek to acquire him back, but Los Angeles holds the top pick in the allocation order for returning players who have previously been sold from MLS. Any team seeking to acquire him would have to obtain that pick from the Galaxy. For the Union, it would not only be worth acquiring Rosell, but it would be worth dropping a high salary and allocation money amount to get him. Additions of Rosell and Bedoya could make the Union’s front six the league’s best when healthy. However, that is all provided Rosell is willing to join the club. Jeff Larentowicz, 32, CDM/CB Proven defensive midfielder in MLS, knows the league well, and is a smart player. He is also a Philadelphia-area native, so he would adapt to the region quickly. Plus, he is versatile enough to fill a backup CB role. Patrick Ekeng, 25, CDM The Cameroon international terminated his contract with Cordoba after a frustrating season in which they were relegated from La Liga, the second straight season he played for a relegated club (also the previous year in Switzerland’s top tier). He has been out of contract since leaving Cordoba and would be worth bringing in for a trial. Keegan Rosenberry, 21, CM A top college player, Rosenberry is potentially eligible for signing as a homegrown player. Good speed and technical ability, good in possession. The Union have probably already tried filing a homegrown claim on him to sign him without need for him to go through the MLS amateur draft, but if they haven’t, now is the time. He probably won’t qualify, however, due to lack of adequate ties to their academy, so he may have to go through the draft. Wilson Palacios, 31, CM The Honduran international didn’t fare well at Stoke City after solid tenures with Wigan and Tottenham in England. He has been out of contract since the summer and may be ready to lower his salary demands to follow his fellow Honduran internationals to MLS. Would he be a good No. 6 compliment to Vincent Nogueira? Alejandro Bedoya, 28, RW Capable wide midfielder who can also play centrally as a midfielder or second striker. U.S. international, has played well at high level in Europe (Ligue 1, France). Former teammate of Aristeguieta at Nantes. The Union already initiated transfer discussions with Nantes about him, but an initial effort fell through. The question is where he fits into this club. Acquiring him would likely relegate Le Toux to the bench or Cristian Maidana to the transfer list. Worth acquiring at the right salary and transfer fee. An attacking midfield trio of Maidana, Barnetta and Bedoya, backed by Nogueira and a solid defensive midfielder and fronted by Sapong at striker could produce the league’s best front six. Continue to pursue a transfer. Bedoya projects as a designated player.

Darius Madison, 21, ST Union Academy player has been a top college player and should be available for signing as a homegrown player unless he elects to enter the MLS amateur draft instead. File a homegrown claim and sign him once he finishes his senior season this year. (Homegrown players do not count against the team’s salary budget.) Character concerns were raised when he was kicked off the University of Virginia’s team — he now plays for University of Maryland-Baltimore County — but the Union youth brass should know him well enough to gauge whether to sign him. With playing time available in Bethlehem, it’s low risk, high reward here.

Who’s missing?



We all know how this game works. One transfer target list is as good as the next. What do you think of this list, and who’s on your list? Speak up in the Comments section below.