The first official week of the MLS offseason was an eventful one with the Philadelphia Union dealing away their SuperDraft picks (for the next three years), not losing anyone in yet another expansion draft and reports of Jack Elliott nearing a deal with Chicago Fire and his replacement nearing a deal with the Union. There’s still a long way to go and Ernst Tanner has promised at least three new players incoming but here we go…

In the email today:

1. ☎️ We Don't Need No Drafts

After a less than popular decision to fire Jim Curtin and a press conference that left a few things to be desired, Union Sporting Director went back to the well of trading SuperDraft picks, this time finding a trade partner in Colorado Rapids to depart with up to $600,000 in allocation money for the Union’s next eight picks.

As in the past the narrative around the decision has been the academy but the reality is the allocation money means more to Tanner and the Union than trialists/MLS rights to players who probably won’t earn a spot on the roster anyway. As long as there are clubs willing to give up allocation for picks, the Union will be willing to trade them.

From the decision to opt out of the draft (again) to San Diego FC’s decision to not bite on any of the Union’s available players in the expansion draft, the Union can continue to distance themselves from the stranger and increasingly irrelevant MLS roster building functions.

But the all important global market and Tanner’s propensity to mine it for gems really needs to be on point. He needs more Wagner and Baribo type victories than Oravec and Wooten-esque WTFs.

Though the roster isn’t in as sorry shape as the more cynical Union fans suggest and the depth isn’t as much of a concern with Champions Cup and possibly Leagues Cup both not in play in 2025, there is work to be done (and time to do it).

2. 🐍 Jack Elliott Replacement Incoming?

In the same week the Union traded away their next eight SuperDraft picks it’s weirdly appropriate that reports would also surface of one of their greatest triumphs in the draft departing.

The veteran center back turned down a pay cut, according to Ernst Tanner, so it didn’t seem likely he would return but a report that he will sign with popular Union free agent destination Chicago makes it even more likely Jack Elliott’s time in Chester has ended.

The No. 77 draft pick from West Virginia is an all-time use case of the SuperDraft benefiting teams but it was a different era both for the league and for the Union. The promise of allocation money to make other deals is too great for Tanner to gamble finding another Ellliott-esque gem in the draft.

The clearing of Elliott’s cap hit - $800,000 guaranteed in 2024 - gives Tanner something to work with in trying to strengthen a back line that let the team down last season. It was hardly Elliott’s fault alone that the team conceded so many goals - Jakob Glesnes wasn’t in his best form, after all - but reports that 23-year-old Argentine Ian Glavinovich has a loan deal being finalized from Newell’s Old Boys does lessen the blow of losing Elliott.

If Elliott does in fact depart, he leaves with 270 appearances and more than 23,000 minutes in blue and gold (all competitions). Elliott’s departure would also mean that Andre Blake is the lasting legacy of the SuperDraft; a link to an era where the Union were among the best at getting the draft to work for them.

3. 🥤 Tweet of the Day: Say Goodbye to Glelliott?

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Union Wishlist

While there is no such thing as MLS Santa, it’s still worth wishing for good things for the blue and gold.

If you had one wish for the Union this holiday season, what would it be?

Email us at [email protected].

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Philadelphia Soccer Now is accepting nominations this week for year-end awards.

• Vermont and Marshall are squaring off tonight in the men’s College Cup final. For Vermont rookie Ryan Zellefrow it’s a return to the College Cup final since he was a player escort at the final in Chester seven years ago. Vermont captain and Phoenixville native Zach Barrett, meanwhile, has a chance to add a College Cup trophy to his McGuire Cup win with Lehigh Valley United. But Lehigh Valley native Marco Silva has other ideas.

• Philadelphia native CJ dos Santos is joining San Diego FC from Inter Miami FC.

• Penn defender Leo Burney is heading home to play for Seattle Sounder FC after signing a homegrown contract.

• West Chester United won their fourth straight EPSA Bill O’Neill Amateur Cup last Sunday with a 4-2 overtime win over Colonial SC. Both teams will look forward to the Region 1 Amateur Cup tournament in the spring with a trip to the National Amateur Cup semifinals on the line.

• If you’re looking for some gift ideas for the soccer lover on your holiday gift list or want some ideas of how to spend gift cards or money you get, here’s a Soccer Gift-Buying Guide.

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