Philadelphia Union roster analysis

Here's a player-by-player breakdown of the Philadelphia Union's 2014 roster.

Fabio Alves

Position: Defender
Age: 28
Height: 5-7
Weight: 149
Years in MLS: 2

Known as "Fabinho" he started 10 games after being signed last June and figures to be a key contributor as an outside back. He has the ability and willingness to attack from the back.

Austin Berry

Position: Defender
Age: 25
Height: 6-2
Weight: 188
Years in MLS: 3

Berry was acquired Feb. 24 from the Chicago Fire for allocation money and should be an immediate starter at center back. He was the 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year and last season he started all 34 games and played every minute.

Andre Blake

Position: Goalie
Age: 23
Height: 6-4
Weight: 175
Years in MLS: Rookie

The first overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft after being the American Athletic Conference Goalie of the Year for Connecticut, Blake gives the Union a viable back up to Zac MacMath. Blake will definitely see time this year.

Corben Bone

Position: Midfielder
Age: 25
Height: 5-9
Weight: 152
Years in MLS: 5

Bone played a total of three games the past two years for the Chicago Fire. He was acquired in the December State 1 Re-entry draft as the sixth pick in the first round.

Brian Carroll

Position: Midfielder
Age: 32
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
Years in career: 12

The Union's captain has stated 95 games in his three years with the club. He is a defensive specialist in the midfield who allows others to go up in the attack.

Conor Casey

Position: Forward
Age: 32
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Years in career: 8

One of the most physical players in MLS, Casey produced 10 goals and five assists in his first year with the Union. He is Colorado's all-time leading scorer with 50 goals and earned a 2010 MLS Cup with the Rapids.

Danny Cruz

Position: Midfielder
Age: 24
Height: 5-8
Weight: 170
Years in career: 6

Known for his boundless energy, Cruz had three goals and two assists in 32 starts last season. He needs to improve on breaking down defenders, but is never afraid to challenge them.

Keon Daniel

Position: Midfielder
Age: 27
Height: 6-1
Wieght: 170
Years in career: 4

A starter in 20 games last season, Daniel could find it difficult earning that much playing time with all the midfield acquisitions. Too often he is a reluctant shooter and has just two goals in 64 career games with the Union.

Maurice Edu

Position: Midfielder 
Age: 27
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
Years in MLS: 3

Edu returns to MLS where he was 2007 Rookie of the Year with Toronto. He is the Union's biggest offseason acquisition, where his rights were owned by Stoke City in the English Premier League as he is on a season-long loan, although he is expected to eventually sign a multi-year deal. Edu has 45 U.S. National Team appearances and hopes his play with the Union could lead to selection to the U.S. World Cup team.

Leo Fernandes

Position: Midfielder
Age: 22
Height: 6-1
Weight: 165
Years in MLS: 2

A former standout at Stony Brook, Fernandes saw limited time last season, appearing in seven games and making three starts. He has great energy but earning much playing time will be difficult.

Raymon Gaddis

Position: Defender
Age: 24
Height: 5-9
Weight: 151
Years in MLS: 3

Gaddis, an unheralded second-round selection in 2012, made 31 starts last season at outside back. He and Fabinho will battle for time, and while Gaddis is adept at attacking he at times had a tendency to get caught up field.

Cristhian Hernández

Position: Forward
Age: 20
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
Years in MLS: 3

Hernandez has only appeared in two games in his first two seasons. After last season he joined La Liga team Real Sociedad for a training assignment.

Brian Holt

Position: Goalie
Age: 25
Height:5-8
Weight: 160
Years in MLS: First

He was signed by the Union in February after spending 2013 on trial with the club. Holt doesn't figure to play unless there are injuries.

Antoine Hoppenot

Position: Forward
Age: 23
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
Years in MLS: 3

The Princeton product is the Union's top energy player, frequently offering a spark off the bench and showing the ability to create scoring chances. He had three goals and two assists last year, mainly in a reserve role, but looks to become a more accomplished finisher.

Michael Lahoud

Position: Midfield
Age: 27
Height: 5-8
Weight: 162
Years in MLS: 7

Lahoud was limited by injury to just nine games and only three starts. He has the versatility to also play in the back in addition to the midfield and could be a solid reserve.

Sébastien Le Toux

Position: Forward/Midfielder
Age: 30
Height: 6-0
Weight: 151
Years in MLS: 6

A fan favorite, Le Toux, who was bothered by plantar fasciitis late in the season, can also drop back to midfield. He is among the most accurate passers in MLS and last season was second in the league with 12 assists, while scoring three goals.

Zac MacMath

Position: Goalie
Age: 22
Height: 6-0
Weight: 176
Years in MLS: 4

Last year MacMath played every minute and recorded 12 shutouts and a 1.29 goals against averAge in his second season at the full-time starter. He will remain the starter although unlike last year is being pushed by new keeper Andre Blake.

Cristian Maidana

Position: Midfielder
Age: 27
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
Years in MLS: First

There are high expectations for Maidana, who was signed as a Designated Player and is expected to give the midfield an offensive boost. He most recently played for Argentinos Juniors.

Richie Marquez

Position: Defender
Age: 21
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Years in MLS: Rookie

The 44th overall selection in this year's SuperDraft, Marquez played for Division III Redlands. He enjoyed a strong preseason to beat out higher draft choices for a spot on the team.

Jack McInerney

Position: Forward
Age: 21
Height: 5-10
Weight: 151
Years in MLS: 5

An original Union player, McInerney earned his first MLS all-star berth and led the team with 12 goals. He endured a long slump, going without a goal in 14 consecutive games before scoring twice in the final three contests of the season.

Jimmy McLaughlin

Position: Midfielder
Age: 20
Height: 5-8
Weight: 135
Years in MLS: 3

A homegrown Union product, McLaughlin has only appeared in one game in two years. He was a high school all-American at Great Valley.

Vincent Nogueira

Position: Midfielder
Age: 26
Height: 5-7
Weight: 140
Years in MLS: First

A native of France, Nogueira is another off-season acquisition who is expected to bolster the midfield. He played most recently for Football Club Sochaux-Montbe'liard of France's Ligue 1.

Amobi Okugo

Position: Defender
Age: 22
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Years in MLS: 5

An original Union player who began his career at midfield, Okugo is considered one of the league's rising players. He and Austin Berry should give the Union a solid pairing as central defenders. Okugo is an offensive threat, especially on corner kicks and he scored three goals last season.

Zach Pfeffer

Position: Midfielder
Age: 19
Height: 5-8
Weight: 145
Years in MLS: 3

A graduate of Upper Dublin, Pfeffer signed in 2010 as the team's first home-grown player at the age of 15. He played last season in Germany after appearing in just four games his first two seasons with the Union.

Pedro Ribeiro

Position: Midfielder
Age: 23
Height: 6-4
Weight: 208
Years in MLS: Rookie

The Union's second first round pick (15th overall), Ribeiro had 31 goals and 26 assists in four seasons with Coastal Carolina.

Aaron Wheeler

Position: Defender
Age: 25
Height: 6-4
Weight: 197
Years in MLS: 2

In 10 games last season (one start) he had a goal and an assist. Wheeler is very strong in the air and provides non-stop hustle.

Ethan White

Position: Defender
Age: 23
Height: 6-0
Weight: 187
Years in MLS: 4

White was acquired from D.C. United for last year's starting center back Jeff Parke. With the addition of Berry, he isn't expected to start but provides depth in the back line.

Sheanon Williams

Position: Defender
Age: 23
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
Years in MLS: 5

Williams is one of the top up and coming outside backs in MLS. He has one of the best throw-ins and is a major part of the attack. Last season he had two goals and eight assists and in a pinch, he has been able to move in and play center back.