Nothing like a flurry of activity leading up to the start of the MLS season, eh? The Union have announced three more signings this week with new Uruguayan striker being introduced on Tuesday, the signing of Sal Olivas announcement coming on Thursday and today’s news of the acquisition of Indiana Vassilev from St. Louis City. If nothing else, the news has given a fan base beaten down by negativity over the break something to look forward to. Lets’ go!

In the email today:

1. 👨🏻 Union Acquire Indiana Vassilev

Indiana is a U.S. state, a town, county and college in Western Pennsylvania and the first name of the newest member of the Philadelphia Union.

The Philadelphia Union announced Friday the acquisition of the 24-year-old mustachioed midfielder from St. Louis City SC in exchange for $1 million in general allocation money. St. Louis will also receive up to an additional $250,000 based on performance and a future sell-on and trade percentage.

“Indiana is an extremely versatile and hardworking player who embodies the qualities we are looking for to enhance our roster,” Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said in a news release. “At just 24, he brings experience from the Premier League, Major League Soccer, U.S Youth National Teams and, most recently, his first USMNT call up. His technical abilities, dedication, and potential for growth make him a valuable addition to our squad."

Vassilev is reunited with Union head coach Bradley Carnell, who coached the Bulgarian-American in St. Louis. Vassilev scored five goals and dished nine assists in 63 regular season matches (48 starts) during his two seasons with St. Louis, which acquired him in the expansion draft from Inter Miami, where had five goals and two assists in 45 regular season matches.

Vassilev began his career with Aston Villa of the English Premier League and made six appearances for the club’s top level (2019-20). He played for the team’s U18 and U23 levels and made 54 total appearances across all competitions from 2017-21. He was loaned to Burton Albion (League One) and Cheltenham Town (League Two) during the 2020-21 season, appearing in 24 matches between the two clubs.

He has represented the United States on the U16 (2016), U17 (2016), U18 (2018), U20 (2019) and U23 (2023) levels. He scored five goals in 34 total youth appearances, including appearances during the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup. He also earned his first-ever USMNT call-up in January 2025 and appeared in two international friendly matches.

Along with the announcement of Sal Olivas' first team contract on Thursday, the team now has 31 players for 31 spots on the senior roster. That doesn't include recent signing Bruno Damiani who is still awaiting completion of his visa. Damiani will also require an international roster spot, which the Union will need to make a move to either open up or acquire.

2. 🔨 Glesnes Getting Back to Being Jakob

In an unfortunate series of events, Jakob Glesnes’ 2024 campaign started and ended in the worst of ways: with the Philadelphia Union star center back scoring on his own goal. Now as the almost 31-year-old veteran enters his fifth season with the team his importance really can’t be overstated.

With Jack Elliott off to Chicago, Glesnes is the elder statesman of the back line and he’s the focal point of new head coach Bradley Carnell’s goal of reversing the uncharacteristically challenging season the back line had in 2024.

Glesnes will have on loan Argentinian Ian Glavinovich and young CBs Olwethu Makhanya and Neil Pierre to lead in a position that is arguably the team’s thinnest heading into the season. The center back crew has logged 13,213 minutes in MLS, all by the Norwegian.

“Almost everything is new this year,” said Glesnes, who feels refreshed after the offseason and a procedure to clean out some scar tissue. Glesnes had a sports hernia surgery last offseason and didn’t always look himself last season but Carnell has been impressed with his preseason, which included a goal against FC Cincinnati.

“Jakob is getting back to being Jakob again,” Carnell said in a recent press conference.

Glesnes said not dealing with pain makes a difference.

“It's good to (not) feel pain, and also to feel good again, like it's good for the head, it's good for everything,” he said.

Glesnes getting back to being the Glesnes that was a Best XI defender and league defender of the year in 2022 would also benefit his home life.

“I don't think anyone here wants to feel the feeling that we had last year, through the season and also after the season,” he said. “That's not what we are going to do. And I think my wife also hopes that we start winning again.”

3. 💰 Tweet of the Day: 35%

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Season Prediction Results

A fringe playoff team seems to be the expectation here. We’ll take it.

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• The Mane Land managing editor Michael Citro joined me on Zoom to talk about Orlando City ahead of Saturday’s game. Rejoice! Duncan McGuire isn’t playing.

• Kyle Almoney of The One Team We Agree On has his Orlando travel guide for anyone making the trip for the game or planning a future trip.

• Daniel Solana of Arriba Bolso joined Todd Lewis and Jose Nunez to talk about Bruno Damiani and what he brings to the Philadelphia Union and MLS.

• Jonathan Tannenwald of The Inquirer offers his analysis of the 2025 Philadelphia Union roster.

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