Alejandro Bedoya
Alejandro Bedoya continued to rise up as a leader during the 2017 season for Philadelphia. Bedoya recorded two goals and four assists in his first full season in MLS. When Bedoya recorded a goal or an assist, the Union had a record of 4-1-1 in 2017. Bedoya made 28 appearances, all starts, in his first full season with Philadelphia, totaling 23 appearances at central midfield and five at central attacking midfield. He was a part of the championship-winning United States Men's National Team during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, joining the squad for the Group Stage before returning home for the birth of his second child. Bedoya will look to bring that club and country leadership to Philadelphia in 2018, along with captaining the club.
Haris Medunjanin
Haris Medunjanin will look to build off his excellent first season in MLS. Medunjanin made 34 appearances, starting every match at central midfield in his first season with Philadelphia, scoring two goals and adding 12 assists. Medunjanin’s 12 assists are tied for second-most in a single-season by a Union player in club history. The midfielder recorded nine assists at Talen Energy Stadium last year, the second most in franchise history for a single season. He also recorded 137 corner kicks for Philadelphia in 2017, setting a new club record. Medunjanin played 3,057 minutes in 2017; the most by any Union newcomer in club history. He will look to continue to share the wealth in 2018 and keep lighting up the scoreboard by using his left foot to set up his teammates.
Derrick Jones
Derrick Jones was signed by Philadelphia Union as a Homegrown player on July 27, 2016. Jones is one of five fellow Homegrowns on the First Team roster and the first to complete the “Path to the Pros” model. In his first full season with the First Team, Jones made 12 appearances (eight starts) at central midfield and started in the club's opening match at Vancouver. Over the summer, he participated in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea, playing an active role for the USA. He made two appearances (two starts) for Philadelphia in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, scoring his first competitive goal for the Union in the Fourth Round win over Harrisburg (June 14). Jones will look to build off of his first season in MLS and learn from Bedoya and Medunjnain.
Warren Creavalle
Warren Creavalle will look to continue to provide depth for Philadelphia in that central midfield position. Creavalle made 13 appearances (five starts) at central midfield for Philadelphia in 2017, with one assist. Creavalle brings international experience to the table as well, representing Guyana in international play — earning four caps for the team. He made his debut for the side during 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification and continues to be a reliable source for Head Coach Jim Curtin with his play at the club level as well as the international level.
