Union's 2024 roster decisions: Carranza, Lowe among options exercised, and more

The Philadelphia Union announced their list of roster moves, retaining several key players ahead of 2024.

Star forward Julian Carranza and veteran defender Damion Lowe were among seven Union players who had their options exercised for next season. In addition, Chris Donovan, Leon Flach, Jeremy Rafanello, Joaquin Torres, and Holden Trent also saw their options picked up for 2024.

Carranza led the team with 14 goals in MLS while also contributing six assists. Flach logged just under 1,800 minutes during the MLS season, scoring one goal and adding two assists.

Lowe started in 14 of his 17 league appearances while Donovan made 14 substitute appearances for the club in 2023. Torres was reduced to only 345 league minutes after being sidelined for part of the campaign.

Rafanello featured heavily for Union II in 2023, helping Marlon LeBlanc’s squad reach the league playoffs for the second-straight year. Trent did not feature for the first team in 2023.

The club is in ongoing conversations with midfielder and captain Alejandro Bedoya and veteran left back Kai Wagner. Both players are set to depart the club at the end of the year with their contracts expiring December 31.

No. 2 goalkeeper Joe Bendik is set to become a free agent at year’s end.

Union II defender Anton Sorenson was the lone player to have his option declined for 2024. Sorenson mainly featured for Union II during the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.

The club has already signed midfielder Sanders Ngabo ahead of the 2024 campaign. In addition, loanee Richard Odada will remain on loan at Danish side Aalborg.

Here is a breakdown of the Union roster heading into 2024:

Goalkeepers: Andre Blake, Holden Trent.

Defenders: Brandan Craig, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Nathan Harriel, Damion Lowe, Olwethu Makhanya, Olivier Mbaizo, Matthew Real.

Midfielders: Jesús Bueno, Leon Flach, Daniel Gazdag, José Martínez, Jack McGlynn, Sanders Ngabo, Andres Perea, Quinn Sullivan, Joaquin Torres.

Forwards: Tai Baribo, Julian Carranza, Chris Donovan, Nelson Pierre, Jeremy Rafanello, Mikael Uhre.