CHESTER, Pa. — With the Philadelphia Union leaving for Marbella, Spain on Saturday for their first leg of preseason training, Union head coach Bradley Carnell and Director of Academy and Professional Development Jon Scheer met with the media on Friday for the first time in 2026.
Throughout the 30-minute conference, topics ranged from players who have departed the club, new arrivals, opportunities for current players, and what the staff has seen during the first week of preseason training.
Through all of it, one thing is clear: the Philadelphia Union have a plan and are excited to get started on the journey ahead this season.
“A busy but very intentional offseason thus far, an off season that’s seen some significant departures, players that we we thank for their contributions to this club,” said Jon Scheer.
“And impacts made standards on and off the field, but we feel the moves we’ve made have set us up and our club for a lot of optionality and flexibility as we go about approaching the 2026 MLS season.”
Scheer was also quick to add that the club is not finished with its signings.
“And just want to make it very, very clear: while we’ve made a few signings, we aren’t done. We’re very active in the transfer market; we look forward to continuing to attack so that our club is in the best possible position.”
The departures of Tai Baribo and Jakob Glesnes within MLS, Kai Wagner’s move to England, and Mikael Uhre returning home to Denmark have left some holes to fill on the roster in the eyes of some.
However, the club has already begun restocking, bringing in forward Ezekiel Alladoh on a club-record signing. Carnell mentioned that the new forward has looked “explosive” in the early stages of preseason.
“I think he can be crucial in that hold up play,” he said. “I think he can be a real key weapon into running him behind with his explosivity and his power. He’s very agile for for a big guy, very athletic, and all the attributes that we think that we can get him sharp, fit, healthy and succeed in our environment.”
The club also added center backs Finn Sundstrom, acquired from D.C. United, and Japhet Sery Larsen earlier in the week from Norwegian side SK Brann. Carnell added that the club is looking to fully integrate Larsen once he finalizes the P-1 visa process.
Midfielders Ben Bender and Alejandro Bedoya also signed new contracts during the offseason to return in 2026. For Bedoya, it will be his 11th year with the club, and he will be looked upon — along with Andre Blake — to provide leadership following the departures of Wagner and Glesnes in particular.
That said, while the Union may not be finished making moves, they are also embracing opportunities for players to take the next step. Players such as Eddy Davis, Sal Olivas, and others are part of that conversation, something that has Carnell excited.
“Where there’s opportunity. You know, players are eager to step up,” he said. “Players are eager to learn. Players are developing. So some of our guys have had a year’s sort of development with us, if you think of like, contributions that players have made throughout the last year, right?”
“I’ve heard different voices in the training environment already, which is a great sign for me, some of the strategic signings that we’ve actually made with Sery Larson, for example, is of a caliber of a young leader. So Sery Larson comes in from a caliber and a quality level that almost commands respect in and around the teammates, but the performance has to fit.”
Another player looking to earn more minutes in 2026 is Cavan Sullivan, whom Carnell and the staff are eager to see take the next step this season. However, as Carnell was quick to point out, nothing will be handed to him.
“I said from day one, nothing’s given and everything has to be earned, but not from me or not for me, but with your teammates in and around the environment,” Carnell said.
“I’m not talking about Cavan specifically, but within our four walls, within our whole roster, with 30 guys, or what have you, this is something that we strive for every single day, that Cavan has the outlook on doing all these great things, that’s a target, and in his mind, that’s now a cycle of work, a body of work that has to go into each and every single training session, scrimmage, recovery session, so and on forth going forwards as well.”
Speaking of the Sullivans, Cavan’s older brother Quinn, who is recovering from an ACL injury, also received a brief update from Carnell.
“I saw Quinn in the facility every single day,” he said. “He continued his rehab in a real professional manner. He’s come back. I’ve seen him doing some some lifting in and around the facility. His quad’s getting bigger and bigger every single day. But, it’s progressing, very, very good at a normal rate for that type of injury.”
While Carnell said it is too early to provide a timetable, it is encouraging to see Quinn making steady progress in his recovery.
On Friday, the Union also announced their preseason schedule for the 2026 season. Philadelphia will head to Marbella, Spain, for the second consecutive year, where they will play three matches during their training camp.
The Union will face Czech side SK Sigma Olomouc on January 20, followed by Danish side FC Nordsjælland on January 23, before concluding their European slate with a friendly against Montenegrin side FK Budućnost on January 29.
The club will then return to Philadelphia for a three-day break before departing for Clearwater, Florida, for their second leg of preseason on February 4. The trip will mark the 12th consecutive year the Union have traveled to Clearwater for preseason.
“Our long-standing relationship with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater continues to be an important part of our annual preparations,” said Philadelphia Union President Tim McDermott per the club’s press release. “The consistency of the environment, combined with the world-class professional resources available, allows our players and staff to stay focused and prepare at the highest level for the season ahead.”
While in Florida, the Union will play two matches: USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies on February 7 and CF Montréal on February 10, before wrapping up preseason and heading to Trinidad and Tobago on February 16 ahead of their Concacaf Champions Cup opener. Philadelphia will face Defence Force FC on February 18 in Round One of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
“We’ve got a busy year ahead of us, you know, three big competitions to participate in, and a drive and a quest for glory in each of those. So I’m excited to get to work. We’re hungry and eager and as keen as ever,” Carnell said.
Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
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