It’s been a while since I wrote an article, but I felt compelled after weeks of hearing development talk from the front office of the Philadelphia Union heading into the 2025 season. So I thought, why not look at those players that both Jillian and I covered during the 2024 season and consider what that might look like heading into 2025?

The 2024 season saw a number of players who primarily played for Union II end up with first-team contracts. In total, five players—Andrew Rick, C.J. Olney, David Vasquez, Nick Pariano, and Cavan Sullivan—played a total of 618 minutes last season, with Rick getting the most at 540 minutes in 6 starts. Only Vasquez and Pariano did not see any minutes of the five players named with the later being loaned to Union II for the 2024 season.

The season also saw a number of players signed to first-team deals who saw minimal, if any, minutes last year and were kept mostly with Union II in 2024. Of those names, Marcus Anderson saw the most time with the first team, making 3 appearances yet only registering 96 minutes. Other players— Jamir Berdecio, Sander Ngabo, and U22 player Olwethu Makhanya—only played for Union II in 2024.

However, this offseason, Ernst Tanner has made several comments to the media about “development” and playing more of the younger players in 2025. So, what does that look like? While the Sullivans, Olneys, and Vasquezes of the world might see more minutes in the coming season, what is the next crop of Union II and academy players who might earn first-team contracts in 2025?

Please note, this is strictly my opinion and meant for discussion heading into the season. If you have players you think might get some opportunities, I would love to hear your thoughts.

The next group of Union II players who could get an opportunity in 2025:

Neil Pierre

This one is pretty straightforward. According to Jose Nunez’s reporting, Pierre’s Union II contract will convert to a homegrown contract in January of 2025.

Sources: The Philadelphia Union have signed Academy product and Union II player Neil Pierre, 17, to a Homegrown contract. His Union II deal will convert to a Homegrown contract in January.

Pierre has impressed at various U.S. national team levels and has also been invited to… pic.twitter.com/6hayJWnbEN

— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) November 26, 2024

In 2024, Pierre played in 22 games, tallying 2,228 minutes and 1 assist. He was also named to the MLS Next Pro Team of the Year. With Makhanya not getting minutes yet with the first team and Brandan Craig’s option being declined (though he is in negotiations with the club), it will be interesting to see if Pierre gets minutes in 2025. He is certainly deserving of the first-team contract.

Frankie Westfield

This one makes sense as well. Frankie made some call-ups during the Leagues Cup run, but never made any official appearances in 2024 for the first team. However, as the captain of Union II, he started all 26 games for the second team, registering 7 goals and 6 assists during the season. He was also named to the MLS Next Pro Team of the Year. With the Union needing defensive depth and Frankie’s heart, grit, and ability to play multiple positions out of the backline, it would make sense for him to get a first-team deal in 2025.

Eddy Davis and Sal Olivas

Union II’s top scorer, Eddy Davis, was mentioned by Ernst Tanner during his end-of-season press conference, alongside forward Sal Olivas, as players who might get an opportunity.

While Davis is a proven scorer in MLS Next Pro, with 14 goals and 3 assists on the season, Olivas had 4 goals and 1 assist. Both would be interesting additions to the preseason roster, and with Davis probably getting the nod, it would be great to see the young forward who performed last year get an opportunity to shine with the first team.

Who might be a wild card in 2025?

I am sure that after reading this article, some of you are thinking, “Hey, what about X or what about Y?” There will certainly be players who come up from Union II and the academy ranks in 2025 and make a bid for a deal. Here are a few I am thinking of:

• Gavin Wetzel
• Jamir Johnson
• Diego Rocio

Time will tell what Ernst and the rest of the Union front office decide, but at the end of the day, we’ll see how the transfer window and preseason unfold.

Happy 2025 to everyone! While it might be a year to temper expectations with the first team, there are certainly things to be excited about with the second team and the academy expectations with the first team.