# 2015 Philadelphia Union season

The 2015 Philadelphia Union season was the club's sixth season of existence, competing in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The team was managed by Jim Curtin, his second season with the club and first full season after taking over from John Hackworth midway through the 2014 season. For the second consecutive season, the Union finished runners-up in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup, this time to Sporting Kansas City. The 2015 season also marked the departure of CEO Nick Sakiewicz, who had been with the club since its inaugural season. Sakiewicz was replaced with former U.S. men's national team player, Earnie Stewart, who was named Sporting Director in October 2015.

## Background
### 2014 MLS regular season

The 2014 Philadelphia Union MLS Regular Season saw the team go 10–12–12 finishing 6th in the Eastern Conference and 12th overall. The Union had a slow first half of the season, winning only 3 of their 16 games. Because of this, head coach John Hackworth was fired and Jim Curtin was named the club's interim head coach. Following the summer break, the Union saw better results, and were in a position to reach the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. However, a loss to the Columbus Crew SC on October 11, 2014, put them out of the playoff race. After the season was over, the title "interim" was taken removed from Jim Curtin's title and is now the permanent head coach.

### 2014 U.S. Open Cup

The 2014 U.S. Open Cup was the most successful Open Cup in the club's history. The Union entered the competition in the fourth round along with the other 18 MLS clubs. In that round, the Union defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders, a team in the third tier of the American soccer pyramid, 3-1 after extra time. In the next round, the Union defeated the NASL team the New York Cosmos 2-1 after extra time. The Union then defeated the New England Revolution 2-0 in the quarterfinals and FC Dallas 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1–1 tie in the semifinals. In the final, the Union lost to Seattle Sounders FC 3-1 after extra time.

## 2015 roster

As of August 29, 2015.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | JAM | Andre Blake (GA) |
| 2 | MF | GUY | Warren Creavalle |
| 5 | MF | FRA | Vincent Nogueira |
| 6 | FW | USA | Conor Casey |
| 7 | MF | USA | Brian Carroll (Captain) |
| 8 | MF | USA | Maurice Edu (DP) |
| 9 | FW | FRA | Sébastien Le Toux |
| 10 | MF | ARG | Cristian Maidana (DP) |
| 11 | FW | USA | Andrew Wenger (GA) |
| 13 | MF | USA | Michael Lahoud |
| 14 | MF | CMR | Eric Ayuk Mbu |
| 15 | DF | USA | Ethan White |
| 16 | DF | USA | Richie Marquez |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 17 | FW | USA | C. J. Sapong |
| 18 | FW | VEN | Fernando Aristeguieta (DP; on loan from Nantes) |
| 20 | MF | USA | Jimmy McLaughlin (HGP) |
| 21 | MF | USA | Eric Bird |
| 23 | DF | CAN | Steven Vitória (on loan from Benfica) |
| 27 | MF | USA | Zach Pfeffer (HGP) |
| 28 | DF | USA | Ray Gaddis |
| 29 | MF | USA | Antoine Hoppenot |
| 33 | DF | BRA | Fabinho |
| 49 | GK | USA | Brian Sylvestre (on loan from Carolina RailHawks) |
| 55 | GK | USA | John McCarthy |
| 77 | MF | BRA | Fred |
| 85 | MF | SUI | Tranquillo Barnetta |

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 4 | DF | USA | Austin Berry (on loan to FC Anyang) |
| 18 | GK | USA | Zac MacMath (GA, on loan to Colorado Rapids) |
| 19 | FW | BIH | Dzenan Catic (on loan to Carolina RailHawks) |
| 22 | MF | BRA | Leo Fernandes (on loan to New York Cosmos) |
| 44 | MF | USA | Danny Cruz (on loan to Bodø/Glimt) |

## Squad breakdown
### Current squad

| No. | Name | Position | Date of birth (age) | Signed From |
| Goalkeepers ||||||
| 1 | Andre Blake | GK | (1990-11-20) November 20, 1990 (age 34) | UConn |
| 49 | Brian Sylvestre | GK | (1992-12-19) December 19, 1992 (age 31) | Carolina RailHawks |
| 55 | John McCarthy | GK | (1992-07-04) July 4, 1992 (age 32) | Rochester Rhinos |
| Defenders ||||||
| 2 | Warren Creavalle | FB/DM | (1990-08-14) August 14, 1990 (age 34) | Toronto |
| 8 | Maurice Edu | CB/DM | (1986-04-18) April 18, 1986 (age 38) | Stoke City |
| 15 | Ethan White | CB | (1991-01-01) January 1, 1991 (age 33) | D.C. United |
| 16 | Richie Marquez | CB | (1992-05-26) May 26, 1992 (age 32) | Redlands |
| 23 | Steven Vitória | CB | (1987-01-11) January 11, 1987 (age 37) | Benfica |
| 28 | Ray Gaddis | RB | (1990-01-13) January 13, 1990 (age 34) | West Virginia University |
| 33 | Fabinho | LB | (1985-03-16) March 16, 1985 (age 39) | Sydney FC |
| Midfielders ||||||
| 5 | Vincent Nogueira | MF | (1988-01-16) January 16, 1988 (age 36) | Sochaux |
| 7 | Brian Carroll | DM | (1981-07-20) July 20, 1981 (age 43) | Columbus Crew SC |
| 10 | Cristian Maidana | AM/LW | (1987-01-24) January 24, 1987 (age 37) | Argentinos Juniors |
| 13 | Michael Lahoud | MF/DM | (1986-09-15) September 15, 1986 (age 38) | Chivas USA |
| 14 | Eric Ayuk Mbu | MF/RW/LW | (1997-02-17) February 17, 1997 (age 27) | Rainbow FC Bamenda |
| 20 | Jimmy McLaughlin | LW/RW | (1993-04-30) April 30, 1993 (age 31) | Colgate University |
| 21 | Eric Bird | MF | (1993-04-08) April 8, 1993 (age 31) | University of Virginia |
| 27 | Zach Pfeffer | MF | (1995-01-06) January 6, 1995 (age 29) | IMG Soccer Academy |
| 77 | Fred | MF | (1979-08-18) August 18, 1979 (age 45) | Melbourne Heart |
| 85 | Tranquillo Barnetta | MF | (1985-05-22) May 22, 1985 (age 39) | Schalke 04 |
| Forwards ||||||
| 6 | Conor Casey | ST | (1981-07-25) July 25, 1981 (age 43) | Colorado Rapids |
| 9 | Sebastien Le Toux | ST | (1984-01-10) January 10, 1984 (age 40) | New York Red Bulls |
| 11 | Andrew Wenger | LW/ST | (1990-12-25) December 25, 1990 (age 33) | Montreal Impact |
| 17 | C.J. Sapong | ST/RW | (1988-12-27) December 27, 1988 (age 35) | Sporting Kansas City |
| 18 | Fernando Aristeguieta | ST | (1992-04-09) April 9, 1992 (age 32) | Nantes |
| 29 | Antoine Hoppenot | ST | (1990-11-23) November 23, 1990 (age 34) | Princeton University |
Last updated: August 29, 2015. Source: Philadelphia Union

## Competitions
### MLS season
#### Standings
##### Eastern Conference standings

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 6 | Toronto FC | 34 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 58 | 58 | 0 | 49 | MLS Cup Knockout Round |
| 7 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 46 | 56 | −10 | 44 | |
| 8 | New York City FC | 34 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 49 | 58 | −9 | 37 | |
| 9 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 42 | 55 | −13 | 37 | |
| 10 | Chicago Fire | 34 | 8 | 20 | 6 | 43 | 58 | −15 | 30 | |

##### Overall standings

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 16 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 38 | 48 | −10 | 41 |
| 17 | New York City FC | 34 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 49 | 58 | −9 | 37 |
| 18 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 42 | 55 | −13 | 37 |
| 19 | Colorado Rapids | 34 | 9 | 15 | 10 | 33 | 43 | −10 | 37 |
| 20 | Chicago Fire | 34 | 8 | 20 | 6 | 43 | 58 | −15 | 30 |

### U.S. Open Cup

Philadelphia entered the 2015 U.S. Open Cup with the rest of Major League Soccer in the fourth round.

### Statistics

Statistics are from all MLS league matches.
| No. | Player | Pos. | Apps | Starts | G | A | | | Acquired |
| 2 | CreavalleWarren Creavalle | DF | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| 3 | LeeRaymond Lee | DF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| 5 | NogueiraVincent Nogueira | MF | 20 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | Signed |
| 6 | CaseyConor Casey | FW | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Re-Entry Draft |
| 7 | CarrollBrian Carroll | MF | 19 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Trade |
| 8 | EduMaurice Edu | MF | 21 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | Signed |
| 9 | Le TouxSebastien Le Toux | MF | 24 | 21 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | Trade |
| 10 | MaidanaCristian Maidana | MF | 24 | 21 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 1 | Signed |
| 11 | WengerAndrew Wenger | MF | 22 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Trade |
| 13 | LahoudMichael Lahoud | MF | 12 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Trade |
| 14 | Ayuk MbuEric Ayuk Mbu | MF | 22 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | Signed |
| 15 | WhiteEthan White | DF | 13 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Trade |
| 16 | MarquezRichie Marquez | DF | 15 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | SuperDraft |
| 17 | SapongCJ Sapong | FW | 21 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | Trade |
| 18 | AristeguietaFernando Aristeguieta | FW | 16 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Loan |
| 19 | CaticDzenan Catic | FW | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| 20 | McLaughlinJimmy McLaughlin | MF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Signed |
| 23 | VitóriaSteven Vitória | DF | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Loan |
| 25 | WilliamsSheanon Williams | DF | 17 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | Signed |
| 27 | PfefferZach Pfeffer | MF | 20 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Signed |
| 28 | GaddisRay Gaddis | DF | 23 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| 29 | HoppenotAntoine Hoppenot | MF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Supplemental Draft |
| 33 | FabinhoFabinho | DF | 20 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Signed |
| 77 | FredFred | MF | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Signed |
| 85 | BarnettaTranquillo Barnetta | MF | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Signed |
| | | | | | 31 | 33 | 40 | 5 |

### Goalkeepers

| No. | Player | Apps | Starts | Record | GA | GAA | SO | | | Acquired |
| 1 | BlakeAndre Blake | 2 | 2 | 1–1–0 | 1 | 0.50 | 1 | 0 | 0 | SuperDraft |
| 49 | SylvestreBrian Sylvestre | 12 | 12 | 5-6–1 | 19 | 1.58 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Signed |
| 55 | McCarthyJohn McCarthy | 8 | 8 | 1–4–3 | 15 | 1.88 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Signed |
| 92 | M'BolhiRais M'Bolhi | 5 | 5 | 0-3-2 | 9 | 1.80 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Signed |
| | | | | 7-14-6 | 44 | 1.63 | 8 | 0 | 0 |

## Honors and awards

| Week | Player | Opponent | Position |
| 3 | Sebastian Le Toux | D.C. United | FW |
| 22 | C. J. Sapong Ilsinho John McCarthy | | FW MF GK |
| 24 | Cristian Maidana | | MF |
| 29 | Tranquillo Barnetta | | MF |

### End of Season Awards

2015 MLS Team Fair Play Award

## Transfers
### In

| Date | Player | Number | Position | Previous club | Fee/notes |
| December 8, 2014 | CJ Sapong | 17 | ST/RW | Sporting Kansas City | Traded for allocation money and a 2015 SuperDraft pick |
| January 16, 2015 | Dzenan Catic | 19 | ST | Davenport University | 2015 MLS SuperDraft |
| January 16, 2015 | Eric Bird | 21 | MF | University of Virginia | 2015 MLS SuperDraft |
| January 16, 2015 | Raymond Lee | 3 | LB | Saint Louis University | 2015 MLS SuperDraft |
| March 3, 2015 | Eric Ayuk Mbu | 14 | MF | Rainbow FC | Free |
| July 29, 2015 | Tranquillo Barnetta | 85 | MF | Schalke 04 | Free |
| August 7, 2015 | Warren Creavalle | 3 | DM | Toronto | Acquired for a 2016 SuperDraft pick |

### Out

| Date | Player | Number | Position | New club | Fee/notes |
| December 8, 2014 | Amobi Okugo | 14 | MF/CB | Orlando City SC | Traded for allocation money and a 2016 SuperDraft pick |
| December 8, 2014 | Corben Bone | 19 | MF | Wilmington Hammerheads | Waived |
| December 8, 2014 | Brian Brown | 17 | ST | Indy Eleven | Waived |
| December 8, 2014 | Cristhian Hernández | 23 | MF/FW | | Waived |
| December 10, 2014 | Pedro Ribeiro | 30 | MF/FW | Orlando City SC | 2014 MLS Expansion Draft |
| February 14, 2015 | Aaron Wheeler | 12 | ST/CB | Wilmington Hammerheads | Released |
| July 23, 2015 | Sheanon Williams | 25 | RB | Houston Dynamo | Traded with an international slot for allocation money |
| July 27, 2015 | Carlos Valdes | 3 | CB | Santa Fe | Mutual Termination |
| August 24, 2015 | Rais Mbolhi | 92 | GK | Antalyaspor | Mutual Termination |
| August 29, 2015 | Raymond Lee | 3 | LB | | Waived |

### Loan in

| Date | Player | Number | Position | Loaned from |
| February 9, 2015 | Steven Vitória | 23 | CB | Benfica |
| February 20, 2015 | Fernando Aristeguieta | 18 | FW | Nantes |
| May 7, 2015 | Brian Sylvestre | 49 | GK | Carolina RailHawks |

### Loan out

| Date | Player | Number | Position | Loaned to |
| January 6, 2015 | Zac MacMath | 18 | GK | Colorado Rapids |
| January 15, 2015 | Leo Fernandes | 22 | MF | New York Cosmos |
| February 6, 2015 | Carlos Valdes | 3 | CB | Nacional |
| March 2, 2015 | Austin Berry | 4 | CB | FC Anyang |
| March 18, 2015 | Danny Cruz | 44 | MF | Bodø/Glimt |
| May 15, 2015 | Dzenan Catic | 19 | FW | Carolina RailHawks |