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With Philadelphia Union II having played 17 of 28 games and the mid-summer transition (graduating YSC Academy seniors and being replaced by next season’s “rising” seniors) in full swing, mid-season means it’s time for the Philadelphia Soccer Page’s mid-season roster analysis of Union II.
The analysis will be published upon completion and this year consists of four parts.
- Simple initial categories for two outliers (click here)
- First-team reserve players who have had “reduced playing time” in development matches (see link above)
- Actual Union II Professionals (Click Here)
- Amateur academy players who have excelled or will likely excel on farm teams at the professional level.
In our mid-season roster analysis, the Academy amateur group is not properly categorized due to them being in the aforementioned transitional phase.
An amateur whose future plans are still uncertain
Eddie Davis IIIWhen 18.1-year-old striker Eddie Davis III (see photo) graduated from the YSC Academy on June 7, the event's program noted that his future soccer plans were uncertain. In his graduation speech, he made it clear that Union's academy had given him a second chance at his soccer career after New York Red Bulls II sent him back to the Red Bulls' academy.
Union Academy's decision to give Davis another chance this year proved to be extremely wise.
Davis, who currently has nine goals, second-most in the league, has led the team with some masterful performances. He has made numerous well-timed runs into the box to receive passes from CJ Olney or Frank Westfield, resulting in unstoppable short and medium range goals. This highlights the effectiveness of Union II's attack through the left channel, where Olney and Westfield have combined to record 17 assists.
No evidence has been found to explain why Davis' future football plans are uncertain. There are two possible explanations, but they are not logically supported.
- The circumstances surrounding Bajun Darveau's departure from Union's academy are only loosely known, but it suggests the academy that originally enrolled the player could ignore the earlier decision to leave and re-sign him. Minnesota may have revoked Union's right to sign Darveau before he left MLS for LAFC. (Due to distance learning, Darveau remained at Union's academy and graduated from YSC on June 7.)
- The well-publicised circumstances of Marcos Zambrano's departure have suggested that outside clubs may be competing with the Union for Davis' signature.
Davis' 2024 stats so far have been impressive compared to his 2023 stats. We have little idea what the difference is. He has played all 17 games in 2024, starting 14 of them. He has played 1,161 minutes. He has attempted 44 shots (16 more than runner-up Sal Olivas) and 23 shots on goal (11 more than runner-up Olney). Davis' 10 passes have assisted on goals or shot attempts, sixth on the team.
The numbers, the eye test and graduation details from the YSC Academy suggest that Keystone Sports should try to sign Davis to some level of professional status.
Four U II amateurs departing
Alex PerezThe 18-year-old YSC graduate will be attending Virginia Tech after being a solid contributor this year and last season as a reserve midfielder for Union II, primarily as a defensive double pivot.
Pérez has featured in seven games this season, including two starts, for a total of 187 minutes, usually as part of the double six at the end of matches but also featuring once or twice as a forward midfielder. He has been a mainstay in Leblanc's training sessions and has been brought on to play in matches when the midfielders were dropped from first-team training.
He commented last summer that Virginia Tech has a good track record of its players moving on to other fields if they don't have a direct connection to the Union, and that's where he plans to go.
Jonathan EvansThe 18-year-old goalie suffered the usual fate of a backup goalie — lots of practice time but no games — and his soccer career will continue at Penn State, likely later this month or early next month, if it hasn't started yet.
Antonios HorozoglouThe diminutive 18-year-old attacker of Greek descent has been a mainstay in Union II training sessions and has played in a few games but has never stepped foot on a competitive pitch. There have been one or two informal hints that the player, who is set to graduate in 2024, may seek opportunities to play soccer overseas through family connections.
Jack Andrus The 18 1/2 year old left back has been a fixture in Union II practices since recovering from a previous injury, making a few appearances for Union but never appearing in a match, and will continue his soccer career at Rutgers later this summer if he hasn't already joined the team.
Two U II amateurs return
Gavin WetzelThe soon-to-be 18-year-old defender is a senior who is due to graduate in 2025. He played as a center back during his early years at the academy, but since last fall he has primarily been learning to play as a right full-back, and it seems like a sure thing he'll be joining Leblanc's team going forward.
Wetzel is strong defensively, having come in as a substitute for starter Jameel Verdecio in LeBlanc's game and returning to center back in an emergency. He's played 837 minutes this year across eight starts and eight substitutes. Where he can improve is offensively, both in his passing and his ability to decide when it's safer to take risks on the offensive end.
Ryan Zerefrow: (17.9) A young striker, almost 18 years old, played for Portland Timbers 2 in 2023. He is a local guy, supposedly transferred to the West from Conestoga High School, but this has not been confirmed. I also speculate he is enrolled in the YSC Academy. Judging by his substitution patterns this season, he seems to be good at taking penalties. He was substituted four times, playing a total of 22 minutes, and was on the bench the other eight times but did not play.
The former U-17 players have now been promoted to Union II and if he performs well in tryouts his future with the team could change.
8 New U II Amateurs candidate
Jameel JohnsonThe 16-year-old has played in either a striker, winger or forward midfield role. His defining characteristic is his excellent speed, which has resulted in him being deployed wherever he can be most effective. This season saw him make a spectacular one-minute cameo appearance in March and then a more substantial 35-minute substitute appearance against Columbus 2 on June 2. He was called up to the US U-16 squad for the trip to Argentina in late May. His small build raises the question of whether he can hold up to the athleticism of an MLS NEXT pro.
Keren LeBlancThe 16-year-old, 15-month-old attacking midfielder was instrumental in the Academy U17's success in both the GA Cup and MLS Next Cup tournaments this season. His family (head coach Marlon Leblanc is his father) cannot take time off in the summer, so he can play as a reserve midfielder now that last season's seniors are off to college. He has been on the bench in the last two Union II matches, playing zero minutes. In the two matches prior to that, he was on the pitch for 17 and 19 minutes, respectively. Whether he can positively impact play in front of the highly athletic MLS Next pros is a fundamental question he must answer as he moves forward. His soccer IQ and technical ability are beyond question.
Gavin AtkinsonThe 17-year-old goalkeeper trained nine times with Union II last summer, before being demoted to the Academy. He has been a consistent starter for the Academy U17s this year, and could easily repeat last season's performance this summer, but he cannot be demoted to the U17s.
Diego Rocio: The 17-year-old striker has shown a knack for scoring unexpected goals out of injury chaos with the U-17s this season. He was selected for the MLS Next All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 23 (streaming at 11:30 a.m. on MLSsoccer.com), part of the MLS All-Star Game event sequence. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament at this year's U-17 Generation Adidas Cup and was called up to the U-16 Mexico national youth team in mid-April. He made a 19-minute cameo appearance for Union II in a match against New England Revolution II in March.
Zach Mastrodimos: (17.3) The versatile 15-year-old defender has played as a defensive midfielder, full-back and shuttle midfielder for the U17s this season. He has been seen training with Union II but is yet to play in a match.
Andrew Craig: (16.8) The 16¾-year-old defender was injured in the GA Cup final. He appeared to recover quickly afterward, as he was seen training with Union II. He played for the U-17s in the MLS NEXT Cup. He was on the bench for Union II against Columbus 2 on June 2, but did not play.
Anis SaidiA Tunisia youth international, the 16-year-old plays as a striker and was captain of the Academy U-17 team this year. After winning the GA Cup, he toured Spain to strengthen the U-16 squad. He was on the bench against New England Revolution II in late March and played 17 minutes as a substitute against Columbus II on June 2. He has been spotted occasionally training with Union II.
Henry Bernstein: (17.5) The 17 1/2 year old defensive midfielder is the most recent U17 graduate to appear for Union II as the No. 2 defensive anchor in their game against Chattanooga on Thursday, July 11 at Subaru Park.
Saidi, Johnson and Leblanc were born in 2008 and therefore could return to the U17 squad next season. Bernstein, Craig, Mastrodimos, Rocio and Atkinson were born in 2007 and therefore do not have that option.
