An analysis of the Union’s roster at the start of the 2021 season

Here's a look at where each of the Union’s players stands on the depth chart at their position before the season starts Wednesday.

Kacper Przybylko scored eight goals last year after netting 15 in 2019.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

by Jonathan Tannenwald

Published April 6, 2021, 5:00 a.m. ET

As we do every year to start the season, here’s a player-by-player look at the Union’s roster. The list at each position is in order of what looks to be the depth chart heading into the new campaign.

The Union kick off Wednesday in San José, Costa Rica, facing Saprissa in the Concacaf Champions League’s round of 16 first leg (6 p.m., FS1 and TUDN). The second leg is next Wednesday at Subaru Park (8 p.m., FS1).

Goalkeepers

Andre Blake: Now in his eighth season here, he continues to be one of the elite goalkeepers in MLS and Concacaf. His profile should rise even higher this year with Jamaica in the Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying. The Reggae Boyz have a good shot to reach the big show for the first time since 1998.

Matt Freese: He won’t get to to go the Olympics, having sat on the bench while the U.S. under-23s blew it in qualifying yet again. But he should get substantial playing time for the Union, especially when Blake’s gone.

Greg Ranjitsingh: Formerly of Orlando City and Minnesota United, he was signed on the belief Freese would go to the Olympics. How much playing time he gets is anyone’s guess.

Joe Bendik: The veteran backup was No. 2 on the depth chart in the past. This year, he yields to Freese and the new signing.

Left backs

Kai Wagner: If he’s not the best left back in MLS, he’s awfully close. So why did he play so poorly in the playoffs? Was it a coincidence that he was linked to a move to Europe right around then? Let’s see if the contract extension he signed in January is a sign he has cleared his mind.

Matthew Real: Speaking of questions, the Drexel Hill native has a lot of them to face. He was a big-time prospect when he turned pro, for both the Union and the U.S. national team. But he has fallen well short of that so far.

Centerbacks

Jakob Glesnes: With Mark McKenzie gone, we’ll see the full breath of Glesnes’ skills this year. The Norwegian brings size, physicality, vocal leadership on the field, and a cannon of a long-range shot.

Jack Elliott: If you’re the kind of fan who wants to put a player’s name on your jersey, you might not usually pick a defender. Elliott’s worth considering. His fifth season here should be like the rest: calm, composed and intelligent.

Stuart Findlay: We haven’t seen the Scot much yet because he only just got here. But we know that rotating centerbacks worked well for the Union last year in a condensed calendar. This year will be similar, which means Findlay should be on the field plenty.

Aurélien Collin: The 35-year-old is this team’s only player with a MLS Cup winner’s ring. He’s highly-regarded in the locker room and on the practice field, and he likes being here.

Right backs

Olivier Mbaizo: After a few years as Ray Gaddis’ understudy, the Cameroonian gets his shot to start. He showed his potential a few times last year, and has become a regular for his national team. That’s a big deal, since European clubs watch African soccer closely. If Mbaizo has a big year, suitors will likely come calling.

Nathan Harriel: The academy product has loads of potential, and could end up getting the most playing time of this year’s rookies.

Defensive midfielders

José Andrés Martínez: He could easily have been a MLS Best XI honoree last year. Now that opponents know how important he is, how will he raise his game — and will he stay out of referees’ discipline books?

Leon Flach: Born in Texas and raised in Germany, he’s an intriguing prospect. Ernst Tanner had an eye on him for a year before signing him last month.

Matej Oravec: It should tell you something that he’s below Flach on here, after arriving last year as a potential starter. Things could have gone much better if the pandemic hadn’t halted the Union’s ability to easily move players to and from their USL team, as Oravec would have played there.

Cole Turner: An academy product who occasionally made the bench last year, and got on the field in one game as a late sub.

Brandan Craig: Signed to a pro deal last November as a 16-year-old, his high ceiling already has the attention of European scouts.

Central midfielders

Jamiro Monteiro: The Union’s best player, plain and simple, especially with Brenden Aaronson gone. He’ll never be the loudest talker, but his smart defense and terrific passing mean he doesn’t need to be. Expect him to be a bigger part of the attack this year.

Alejandro Bedoya: Not every former U.S. World Cup player would willingly captain a team full of young prospects and put up with their growing pains. Bedoya gets it. If he grimaces over a bad pass or offers a few choice words on the field, he’s forgiven.

Quinn Sullivan: Not the most-hyped prospect in this year’s rookie class, but perhaps the most intriguing. Union coaches are very high on him, and they aren’t alone. Germany’s Borussia Dortmund is among the European teams watching the 16-year-old.

Jack McGlynn: He’s projected as a Monteiro-esque type who can play a few roles. The 17-year-old impressed with the Union’s USL team, and might get some real playing time this year.

Attacking midfielders

Anthony Fontana: Now a veteran as a 21-year-old, he’s set to be the starting playmaker to start the year. It’s a lot of pressure, and an indictment of the team’s lack of offseason spending. He’s not as good a passer as Brenden Aaronson was, but he’s a better shooter. His scoring rate of 1.07 goals per 90 minutes is terrific. If he can keep hitting the net, he might follow Aaronson to Europe some day.

Ilsinho: Who knows for how long the 35-year-old Brazilian can keep up his super-sub wizardry on the right wing, but so what. His legacy as a fan favorite is secure forever.

Paxten Aaronson: The whispers have been there for a while that Brenden’s younger brother could be an even better player. He isn’t ready yet, but he will be in time — and he has already shown hints of what’s to come.

Forwards

Kacper Przybylko: After scoring 15 goals in 2019, he netted just 8 last year. His frustration at his misses was clear to see. No one knows better that it’s time to get back to his old form.

Sergio Santos: His speed tears defenses to shreds, and his scoring touch blossomed last year. The big question is whether he can stay healthy and become a regular 90-mintute player.

Cory Burke: He starts the season with a big cloud overhead, having missed the entire preseason with a groin injury. He can’t be rushed back, but the Union need him.

Jack de Vries: He’s got a classy left foot and a nose for goal, and deserves a shot to show it in games. Union fans demanding a big-time attacking signing ought to demand it be a No. 10 instead of a striker so de Vries can get playing time.