Possible Philadelphia Union roster cuts leaked

Unlike some other MLS clubs so far in the offseason, the Union have officially remained quiet about who is staying and who has been deemed surplus. Kevin Kinkead of CBS3 has reported he names of several players whose contact options were declined, are out of contract, or are free agents. Names involved in this alleged list are a few grizzled veterans and a couple of younger players who never got a shake at playing time. Conor Casey, Fred, Brian Carroll, Steven Vitoria and Antoine Hoppenot make the list for veteran players who don't appear to be returning, whether they are out of contract or returning to their former club from loan in Vitoria's case. Personally I think most of these players are expendable, with Hoppenot possibly pegged to make a transition to Bethlehem if Brendan Burke and his staff need an experienced MLS player out wide on the wings.

More surprising are the list of younger players that seem to be on the Union chopping block. SuperDraft second round pick Eric Bird might be on his way out, as well as Homegrown player Jimmy McLaughlin. Both these guys have struggled to break into Curtin's senior side, with Eric Bird racking up a grand total of zero minutes this year. This seems like a good opportunity for the Union to cut these two and then snatch them up for Bethlehem Steel FC. We honestly don't really know what kind of potential these players have, and giving them some USL experience in the same system would be beneficial.