CHESTER, Pa. — On Thursday afternoon, the Philadelphia Union announced the loan of forward Stas Korzeniowski to USL Championship side Rhode Island FC through the remainder of the 2026 season.

As first reported by Jose Nuñez on Tuesday, the former Penn Quaker would be heading to the USL after coming off a brace in Sunday’s 4-2 loss to CT United in MLS NEXT Pro league play.

Nuñez later reported Thursday that Philadelphia included a recall option in the loan agreement if the club needs to bring Korzeniowski back during his loan spell.

Drafted with the 53rd overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Korzeniowski has spent most of his time in Philadelphia with the second team following a successful college career and USL League Two stint.

In 30 MLS NEXT Pro matches dating back to last season, Stas has amassed 18 goals and two assists.

This season, after earning his first career start with the Union in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Korzeniowski has recorded two goals and two assists in 10 matches across all competitions.

After returning from injury following the break this summer, the New Jersey native scored 10 goals in eight NEXT Pro matches. His form raised a question that Jillian Almoney and I discussed on recent episodes of The One Team We Agree On: Has he followed in the footsteps of other former Union II players like Eddy Davis, CJ Olney, Markus Anderson, and others who couldn’t quite crack the first team but needed a bigger challenge than MLS NEXT Pro could provide?

With Scottish Premiership side Hearts signing American striker JJ Williams from USL Championship side Rhode Island FC for a reported £100,000, Rhode Island needed another forward as the club currently sits seventh in the Championship.

While the move does limit the Union’s depth at forward, a position primarily occupied by Bruno Damiani, Milan Iloski, and Ezekiel Alladoh, there are still options available.

Malik Jakupovic is still around, while Agustin Anello, Indiana Vassilev, and Quinn Sullivan have played forward at times for the club. Though I believe those players are more effective in attacking midfield roles than at forward, there are at least options available should injuries occur to any of the Union’s three primary forwards.

The Union could also bring up Sal Olivas if needed or recall Stas, so there is some flexibility if Philadelphia does not sign another forward during this window.

If you want to see Stas face off against some of his former teammates who are currently on loan in the USL Championship, you’ll still have a couple of opportunities this season.

Rhode Island faces Brooklyn FC on October 3 and Loudoun United FC on October 14.

Main article photo courtesy of Emily Wallace-Sutton