The unbearable lightness of ‘playing the kids’

A Championship. The podium. A picture of the team with dirt smeared on their jerseys, raising that trophy. This is the far-off dimly lit dream of all fans when that ball is first walked onto the field of play. We all have that dream, no matter how bleak those market makers think our odds. That unending chase is what keeps hope in the breast of every fan. 

The reality is that only a handful of teams in a league have a true shot at that moment. We’d also be ecstatic with a better-than-expected run in the playoffs. And let’s be honest, most fans just want to see progress toward the ultimate goal.

So it’s a Championship, sure. But also, it’s seeing progress that fuels our fandom. It’s witnessing those little steps along the way. Both forward and backward.

One of the most compelling aspects of progress is watching a young player develop before our eyes. Only the rarest players are prodigies and amazing when they start. Almost all athletes need to go through a tremendous amount of learning and physical development to become a player that contributes to winning. Watching young players develop is fun and rewarding.

The Philadelphia Union front office are peddlers of this specific entertainment. They are selling this model as a primary reason to follow the team. And that is appealing as we watch the progress of players like Mark McKenzie, Brendan Aaronson, Jack McGlynn or Quinn Sullivan. On some nights witnessing their improvement is alone worth the price of admission. 

But this form of entertainment comes with a hefty and dark price. The more kids we play, the less likely we’ll see the ultimate goal of a championship. They aren’t quite good enough. Not yet. And even worse, as soon as they show enough promise, the history has been that a global market emerges, and they are sold without a moment’s notice, leaving fan hearts broken.

The most recent heartbreak is obviously Jack McGlynn. With offseason activity already underwhelming, Ernst Tanner took $2.1 million in cold hard cash and sent Jack elsewhere. Jack was a player that first appeared in the 2021 season at the age of 17. He was too slow to play, if we’re honest. But he could already see the field a bit better than the average player. Over the next few seasons that particular skill blossomed and fans were treated to watching Jack work on his speed and become the best passer on the team. During the 2024 campaign he was indispensable at the offensive end. It really was a treat to watch him turn into a critical player before our eyes.

Then gone.

2.1 million of something that society deems valuable that we hope will turn back into something of value on the field. The front office hasn’t proven that part of their model yet.

Instead, we are presented with playing the kids. We’ll watch them grow up. We’ll watch them screw up, before rebounding and making a play. We’ll cheer. We’ll root for them. We’ll grow attached as they develop, and meanwhile the lure of Europe or a bigger adventure will take hold.

Just like that they’ll be gone. There’s now a gap on the roster. Someone in a helicopter will have a bigger number in their account. Fans will mourn. Some will turn mad. Someone will take the kid’s place.

The ref will walk the ball out to the field. We’ll be there in the stands and put our arms up to make a U and cheer on the next kid’s corner kick.