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Union Rebuild: Old Face Returns, New Coach Takes Helm
22 Jul
Summary
- Philadelphia Union faces a full rebuild after a drastic performance drop.
- Kai Wagner returns to the Union after a brief stint in England.
- Ryan Richter appointed interim head coach ahead of Wednesday's match.
The Philadelphia Union is navigating a substantial team overhaul, a stark contrast to their Supporters' Shield victory less than a year ago. Following a significant decline in performance, which saw them drop from the league's best record to the bottom of the standings, the club dismissed head coach Bradley Carnell in May.
Taking the helm as interim head coach is Ryan Richter, a Philadelphia native with extensive experience within the Union's system since 2018. His first match in charge will be Wednesday's rivalry game against the New York Red Bulls. The team has also bolstered its roster by reacquiring defender Kai Wagner, who rejoins the club after a seven-month transfer to Birmingham City in England. Wagner, a key player who previously appeared in 204 contests for the Union, is available for selection.
Additionally, midfielder Quinn Sullivan is nearing a return and could make his season debut after recovering from a torn ACL sustained last September. Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls are in a stronger position, entering the second half of the season on a positive note after going undefeated in their final four games before the break, with Jorge Ruvalcaba and Julian Hall being notable offensive contributors.
