Written By: Mike Shute
With two recent strokes of the pen this week, the Philadelphia Union has now locked up at least three starting caliber defenders, plus its standout goalkeeper, through at least the end of the 2024 season with club options beyond. All of these players, of course, contributed to the record-setting defense of 2022.
On Tuesday, Philly announced it had signed center-back and 2022 MLS Defender of the Year Jakob Glesnes to a multi-year deal that keeps the 28-year-old Norwegian in blue and gold through at least 2025 with a club option for the following season.
Then, two days later, the team announced it had reached an agreement on a new contract with homegrown defender Nathan Harriel. The 21-year-old who has primarily seen time at right back both as a starter and off the bench is guaranteed to be under contract through 2025 with options for both 2026 and 2027.
Throw in the fact that the team signed center-back Jack Elliott to a new contract through the 2024 MLS season with an option for 2025, and the team has a solid defensive core intact for at least a couple of years. Elliott, of course, became the only defender to score two goals in an MLS Cup Final last season.
And, likewise, three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake is signed through 2024 with a club option for 2025. That deal was signed in 2021. He is the team’s longest-tenured player.
Right back Olivier Mbiazo also signed what was dubbed a “multi-year extension” in 2021 though the exact dates were not clear.
The only defender with significant starting time who is not signed up beyond this season is left-back Kai Wagner, who is signed through this season.
The Union’s defense set a Major League Soccer record by allowing just 26 goals in 34 games in 2022.
“Since arriving in MLS, Jakob has been a critical piece of our backline’s strong defensive record and was recognized individually as the 2022 MLS Defender of the Year,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner in a statement released by the team. “Jakob has proven not only his sporting value but also as a leader on and off the field. We’re happy to have reached an agreement to extend his stay in Philadelphia.”
In 2022, Jakob Glesnes was named the MLS Defender of the Year, becoming the only player in club history to earn the award. He also made his first MLS All-Star Game appearance and his first MLS Best XI selection after helping the Union defense produce the second-best defensive season in MLS history at 0.76 goals conceded per game. He started all 34 matches last year and led the team in interceptions (57), the fifth most in the league. Additionally, Glesnes enters this week’s match against visiting Orlando having started 76 consecutive matches for the Union since October 19, 2020, which is the longest active streak in the league, making him the fifth non-goalkeeper in MLS history to start that many straight games. He has been with the team since the start of the 2020 season.
Glesnes came to the Union from the first-tier Norwegian league, Elisteserien, where he played for Stromsgodset Toppfotball. Prior to signing with Stromsgodset Toppfotball in 2016, he played for the first-division club Asane in 2015, before joining first-tier club Sarpsborg 08.
“Nathan’s commitment to developing his game has impressed us, and we are thrilled he will continue to grow and contribute here in Philadelphia,” said Tanner in a statement released by the team. “His quickness and relentlessness have always been evident, and his decision-making has drastically improved. Homegrown players are a pillar of our success and Nathan will continue to exemplify that going forward.”
In 2022, Harriel made 25 appearances (20 starts) and became the 10th homegrown to score for the club with his goal against Atlanta United FC on August 31, 2022. Out of 268 total duels, Harriel held the highest duel percentage on the team last season with 59.7% and had the second-highest ariel duel percentage with 64.6%. He also won 43 tackles, the second most on the team. In his 25 appearances, Harriel contributed to seven clean sheets and helped the Union defense produce the second-best defensive season in MLS history at 0.76 goals conceded per game as well as setting a new MLS record for the fewest goals allowed in a single season.
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