Among the Philadelphia Union's many offseason moves was the acquisition of withdrawn forward, and occasional winger, Josue Martinez. The Costa Rican international striker was expected to help push Danny Mwanga and Jack McInerney for a starting role alongside Sebastien Le Toux. However, according to Soccer By Ives, the Union's addition of Martinez may have made Mwanga surplus to the team's requirements in 2012.

Ives writes in his last mock 2012 MLS SuperDraft that the Union are "believed to be shopping forward Danny Mwanga" and named Dom Dwyer as Mwanga's replacement if a trade went through. Dwyer did not make a case for a top ten selection after a somewhat average combicombine, but did score 16 goals in 21 games last year for the University of South Florida.

Mwanga was drafted first overall by the Union in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, making him the first player ever drafted by the Philadelphia franchise. Though showed off his potential during his rookie year, Mwanga's 2011 was filled with disappointment in playing time and effort, based on rumors that the 21-year-old striker was not giving his full efforts during training sessions (which may have led to a benching at one point).

2012 will mark the first season that Mwanga will count against the Union's salary cap, and his salary is due to be around $230,000 in guaranteed compensation. Mwanga graduated the Generation Adidas program after averaging around 1,500 minutes played per season.