Reindeer Games: Can the Union lead the sleigh this holiday season?

The Philadelphia Union do it different. If they were one of Santa’s reindeer, you could even say they have a bright red nose. You know the story. The Union were the butt of Rais M’Bohli jokes and everyone used to laugh and call them names. But then they went all in on a youth academy that has reaped the respect of the league and beyond. They’ve also been the best team in the league per dollars spent by a wide margin. It’s a form of Moneyball born from the idea that really good players playing in lesser leagues are available at a good price.

No one can argue the results. Two Supporters’ Shields. Multiple tournament semifinals. Battling the Grinch in the MLS Cup to the final minutes. What started as an insecure reindeer is now in contention to lead Santa’s sleigh.

While Santa ultimately trusted Rudolph to lead his sleigh, are Union fans at the point where they can trust the Union through a foggy off-season?

Based on the last few weeks, it certainly seems like Rudolph’s success has gone to its head, and he decided to throw a few back before hitching up on Christmas Eve.

It started with Ernst Tanner, their Moneyball Sporting Director. He’s been out on leave due to serious allegations about his character. Then, presumably with no one of any repute at the helm, the Union sold their top striker and center back. They got up to $6 million for both. Perhaps good business. Perhaps a sleigh that won’t find it’s way next season.

And here is where trust becomes critical. The Union success is unquestionable despite not pulling in the ultimate presents. But without Santa driving the sleigh, can they make the moves to keep the team amongst the league’s best?

The Union are in a tough spot with Tanner. Society has very low tolerance for sexists and assholes, but what exactly Tanner did or didn’t do will never be fully revealed leaving the Union some wiggle room. Still, there will be a moment where a decision comes down on Tanner. Either he’s gone and the Union lose a big part of the team’s competitive advantage, or he stays and we need to trust the Union’s judgment of character. And trust their ability to find another Sporting Director that can keep them competitive.

Then they start the offseason by selling two of the best players on a Supporter’s Shield winning team (for record, that’s the hardest trophy to win). Tai Baribo led the team in goals and is in his prime. Gone. Jakob Glesnes has been a staple at the back for six seasons, and anchored the league’s best defense last year. Perhaps past his prime. Gone.

The red nose has gotten a little brighter.

The headline sounds crazy, but maybe it’s not. After a torrid and fun start, Baribo’s production fell off in the latter part of the season. And certainly Glesnes has lost a step. Perhaps the $6 million will be used to upgrade that performance. Afterall, the Union traded their all-time leading scorer in Daniel Gazdag and young fan favorite in Jack McGlynn less than a year ago, and no one is complaining anymore.

In a perfect world we’d know exactly the outcome of what presents are underneath the tree. We’d have resolution on Tanner. We’d have replacements for Glesnes and Baribo (is it the 20-year-old Ghanaian? Really?). We’d open the complete “answer.” Until then it’s a matter of trust that we’re getting what we put on our wish list

The response of the Union faithful is understandably mixed. Many don’t see the logic. Others have more trust in the process. But at the heart of the disagreement is the type of team that fans find appealing to root for.

Would fans rather invest emotionally in players over the long haul and root for them to repeatedly take shots at a Cup, or live through the ruthless reality of what it takes to optimize every dollar at the bottom of the league’s salary table? The ruthlessness requires sacrifice. It rejects emotional connection. There’s a bit of Scrooge in the way the Union have to operate to win.

Ideally, the Union would cut the obvious weakness of the team and keep the strengths, but the best players are the source of value. McGlynn, Gazdag, Glesnes, Baribo, and many young players before them. All successful in the Union blue. All giving the Union their bright red nose, but puzzling departures for a loyal fanbase.

The fog is particularly thick rolling off the Delaware River this holiday season. Expectations are sky high and critical pieces of their success are gone. Have the Union earned the trust to navigate the weather? We’ll find out when we open our gifts this offseason.