Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union Positional Preview: Defenders
As the 2026 campaign gets underway this week, we take a deep dive into every player on the Philadelphia Union roster this season.
As the 2026 campaign gets underway this week, we take a deep dive into every player on the Philadelphia Union roster this season. With losses to the attack in Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre, alongside crucial defensive gaps with the transfers of Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner, this season will provide a mix of new faces, different play styles, and (hopefully) a prideful defense of the 2025 Supporters’ Shield under sophomore skipper Bradley Carnell.
We already looked at the goalkeepers. Up next we’ll take a look at the defense.
Nathan Harriel – Nate Harriel will enter the 2026 season as one of two remaining routine starters from the 2025 back line. With the losses of Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner, Nate will remain on the right side of the pitch, looking to provide defensive consistency with opportunities to spark up the attack. Nate logged nearly 2,400 minutes last season, bagging two goals across his 28 matches played. While injuries riddled the middle of the season for the 24-year-old, he returns as a veteran of the Union back four and looks to assist new additions to the Union defensive system to find a rhythm early in 2026.
Olwethu Makhanya – The second returner to the Union back line is Olwethu Makhanya. While 2025 proved to be a growing year for the young centerback, expectations will be heightened for a team that bolstered its defensive depth heading into 2026. Makahnya played in 36 matches last season. A consistent piece of the back line, and his play only continued to improve throughout the season. A testament to experience increases development. Makhanya’s tackling is second to none for a 21-year-old, but consistency in distribution and mitigating turnovers with the ball at his feet will be the key to his success with a new center-back pairing this season.
Japhet Sery Larsen – Lose a Dane, gain a Dane. Japhet Sery Larsen arrives for his first season with the Philadelphia Union on a transfer from Norwegian side Brann. Brann finished 4th in the Eliteserien last season with 46 goals conceded across 30 matches to boast a goal differential of +9. At 25, Sery Larsen adds youthful experience to the Philly back line, but the big question mark heading into 2026 will be how quickly the newly reformed backline can gel with a fast-paced start to the season.
Olivier Mbaizo – After an injury-ridden and quiet 2025 season, Olivier Mbaizo returns to the squad for his ninth season with the club. After heavy involvement in both 2023 and 2024, Mbaizo only played in 11 matches in 2025. With the addition of Frankie Westfield to an already crowded outside back locker room, fitness kept Mbaizo sidelined while Westfield played in the absence of Nathan Harriel last season. Mbaizo will be a crucial depth piece as Bradley Carnell determines the best combination for his newly reformed back four.
Frankie Westfield – With rumors of a new left back in the wings for Philly, Frankie Westfield will be the likely starter to begin the season. In his inaugural season with the first team, Frankie provided depth to an injury-ridden back line. The season provided ample opportunity for development, and the growth of the 20-year-old in the Union backline makes him a contender for outside back positions that are up for grabs in a club transitioning off of their key piece in Kai Wagner. Carnell will look for options that can provide a similar offensive spark, and Frankie has never been shy to work his way into the Union attack.
Finn Sundstrom – A clear depth piece option for the Boys in Blue, Finn Sundstrom joins the Union from the USL side, North Carolina FC. At 19, Finn will likely develop behind the center back pairing of Makhanya and Sery Larsen, with Union II minutes after his return from injury in early March. Center back depth has been few and far between for the side over recent seasons, so the addition of a young back with large potential upside is excited news for the U.
Kaiden Moore – Likely a Union II depth piece, Kaiden Moore enters the 2026 season on loan with the Philadelphia Union from Atlanta United. The 18-year-old will play alongside the MLS Next side this season.
Geiner Martinez – Another young contender for the U’s center back pairing comes from the Uruguayan first division. Geiner Martinez had multiple stints at Juventud and Central Español before heading to Philadelphia for the 2026 season. The 6’2”23-year-old will likely be the odd one out to start the season, but with a new look defensively for Philly and a rapid start to the season in both Champions Cup and MLS play, it may not take long before the Colombian sees minutes.
