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MLS stock report and preview: Eastern Conference

By Joshua Bowers

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- October 28: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls, Alex Muyl #19 of New York Red Bulls and Aaron Long #33 of New York Red Bulls celebrate with tame mates after the team won the Supports Shield during the New York Red Bulls Vs Orlando City MLS regular season game at Red Bull Arena on October 28, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton for the New York Red Bulls)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- October 28: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls, Alex Muyl #19 of New York Red Bulls and Aaron Long #33 of New York Red Bulls celebrate with tame mates after the team won the Supports Shield during the New York Red Bulls Vs Orlando City MLS regular season game at Red Bull Arena on October 28, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton for the New York Red Bulls) /
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Philadelphia Union, Marco Fabian
ORLANDO, UNITED STATES – JANUARY 12: Marco Fabian of Eintracht Frankfurt during the match between Flamengo v Eintracht Frankfurt at the Orlando City Stadum on January 12, 2019 in Orlando United States (Photo by Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Union — 50 pts

Stock Even

Key Additions: M M.Fabian, F S.Santos, D A.Collin, D K.Wagner

Key Losses: M B.Dockal, D K.Rosenberry

Philadelphia fans are probably pretty excited. Sergio Santos should be an upgrade over Corey Burke and CJ Sapong. Plus, they are getting the Mexican Magician, Marco Fabian, as their new number 10. Not to mention, the Union are going to be playing the most mythic formation in MLS history: the 4-4-2 diamond! It’s good to be excited, but here is the truth: the Union will not be any better than they were a year ago.

Philadelphia lost two big players during the offseason. Keegan Rosenberry is a plus MLS right-back and he’s now with Colorado. He will be replaced by a young player, Olivier Mbaizo, without much of a safety net. To waiver for a moment, look at how young Philadelphia’s back line is. Mbaizo is 21, Matthew Real is 19, Auston trusty is 20, Mark McKenzie is 19, newly signed Kai Wagner is 21. They all have plenty of talent, but if there is one place you want a veteran presence, it is on defense. Philadelphia did pick up a veteran center-back, Collin, and he will be an asset to the youngsters.

Philadelphia also lost 2018 team MVP, Borek Dockal. Dockal had five goals and 12 assists in his only season with the Union. In addition to being a good playmaker, Dockal has a much higher defensive work rate than Fabian and that may prove to be significant in a high-press system.

There are reasons to get behind the Philadelphia Union this season. The diamond will benefit midfielders Alejandro Bedoya and Haris Medunjanin. But I am not convinced Fabian will perform better than Dockal this year though and he has the potential to be a big bust. The young defense could shine, or they could struggle and lose confidence.

Philadelphia is a good team. They should not lose ground. However, the expectation is that they will take a big step forward this season and, although they are different from last year, I don’t think they are better.

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