TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Trade
In what’s becoming an annual tradition, the Philadelphia Union have traded away MLS SuperDraft picks for allocation money.
The Union announced Tuesday that they’ve acquired up to $225,000 in general allocation money from Nashville SC in exchange for a combined three selections in the 2021 and 2022 SuperDrafts. Philadelphia invest heavily in their academy and chose to lean on that player development avenue rather than dipping into college soccer.
“Our philosophy is, and continues to be, focused on our academy pipeline as a source for cultivating young talent for our first team,” Ernst Tanner, Union sporting director, said in a release. “As we see two homegrown players continue on to European leagues and 10 total homegrowns on our 2021 roster, we’ve proven that our model and allocation of resources works.”
Nashville are receiving the Union’s second- and third-round picks in the 2021 SuperDraft, which translates into pick Nos. 46 and 73. Philadelphia have also sent their pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and now hold zero picks in the 2021 SuperDraft.
Philadelphia have received a guaranteed $50,000 and could get a further $175,000 in conditional GAM that’s tied to performance metrics being met by players chosen by Nashville in the SuperDraft.
The Union, who won the 2020 Supporters’ Shield, transferred midfielder Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg) and center back Mark McKenzie (K.R.C. Genk) this offseason and have several promising homegrowns coming through the pipeline. Meanwhile, Nashville found their starting right back in the 2020 SuperDraft when selecting then-Wake Forest defender Alistair Johnston. He came with the No. 12 pick, while center back Jack Maher was taken No. 2 overall after time at Indiana University.
