Philadelphia Union II kick off their 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season on Sunday, and before they made the trip to Gillette Stadium to take on New England, new Head Coach Ryan Richter sat down with Sage Hurley to preview the season.
How have the first couple of months in this new role been for you?
It's been really exciting. As we approach our first game, we've had a two month build up. We started January 13, and as we get to the first game, it's been two months of really hard work, and the players have been fully committed. The staff has been fully committed. So it's been really exciting. A lot of new things for myself, for the players, for the staff, working together, but we're excited to see it finally start to come together in a competitive environment.
What was it like for you to inherit a team that saw so much success last season?
Honestly, that was an awesome way to enter the environment, because they saw the positives of when the group is working selflessly, when they're putting the team first, even in an environment where it's really about developing it as an individual.
They saw the confidence that they gained as a group, the improvement that they made individually and as a team, and it was all based off the success that they had together. So, I think it was an easy one for me. I said 'Guys, if you want to take another step forward, keep building on the confidence that you achieved last year and keep that going as we start this season.'
What does a preseason look like for Union II?
We started with three weeks training in Philadelphia, pretty hard sessions, six days a week. Then joined the first team in their second leg of preseason in Clearwater, Florida, and we were doing two sessions a day. We played three games while we're there, really competitive matches that were a great challenge for us. We came back to Philadelphia for another three weeks, played two more games as we prepared for the final steps of the preseason. So it was really three different legs, the way that we approach it. Just trying to develop the style that we want to play, the intensity that we want to have, the culture and the environment that we're working in every day, and that was the part that we were working to build through all the phases of preseason.
Since getting fully integrated into the Union II culture, was there anything that surprised you?
I was surprised at how bought in everyone was almost immediately. Not to me, but just to the project that we have.
From the staff to the players, they all understand that they're trying to take the next step in their career. Our job as a staff is to remind them how difficult that step is going to be for them, and that they don't have the opportunity to waste a day.
I think they took that message right away and realized, 'okay, every day means something.' Every day is an opportunity to get better, and they put that in their mind, and they were able to apply it every day. So that was really cool, and it was surprising to me that they're able to jump on board right away with the same goals that we have for them as individuals. T
They saw clear how they have to behave in our environment, how they have to train, how they have to treat every session, every meeting, and that was really cool to see.
Speaking of taking the next step, what areas in particular do you want to see this group as a collective grow in the season?
Our group, mostly it's young professionals. It's kids that are from 16 to 21 years old, and they have to learn how to become pros, how to carry themselves, how to eat right, how to sleep right, how to prioritize things that are going to make them better as players. Then also, learn how to fit into men's soccer, because it's a very different challenge than the academy games or some success that they've had in the past. It's far more physical, far more aggressive. People are fighting for their lives in every game that they step on the field for.
I think we got a real taste that in some of our preseason games when we played USL teams that were maybe older opponents, but it was an opportunity for our guys to see like, 'Okay, I have to level up here if I want to go beyond this level. I want to make it to MLS. I want to take a step even further beyond that.'
Part of it is understanding that it's not just about talent, but it's about mentality. It's about physicality, it's about bravery, and the kids that I've seen since I've been part of the Union, the kids that I've seen that I've take that step, they have all of these things.
So, that's our job to keep reminding them that it's very difficult and you have to have the right mentality to fight through difficult times, and then it's on them to understand that and to push through that.
Quite a few players that contributed to Union II in a big way last year earned first team contracts. Do you think that encourages or inspires some of the younger players coming up?
I think that's what's really cool about our club. You have examples all around you. You see the the newest guys this year. it's Frankie [Westfield], it's Olwethu [Makhanya], it's Cavan [Sullivan] that are all starting to make an impact with the first team. Before that, you can go with Quinn Sullivan now doing amazing as a full time starter, Jack McGlynn who took amazing steps through the academy, through the second team, into MLS, Paxton and Brendan Aaronson, Mark McKenzie. We have so many examples in our club that this can be a reality. It's going to be difficult, and who knows where your path is going to take you, but you have these examples that it's possible and the pathway is here in our club, the opportunity is here. We as coaches, we're here to help you achieve that goal of progressing through the pathway.
Giving young players an opportunity has been integral to Union II, especially last year. Do you foresee that being a big part of the philosophy again in 2025?
Yeah, of course. I think the important part is that they have to earn it, because, like we said, what we're preparing them for as professionals is that nothing will be given to you, right? Any coach of any first team, you have to help him. Help him help the team win games. That's what will get you the opportunity, and it's the same in Union II. If you deserve a debut, for sure you will get it, but you have to earn that first. I think our guys have that understanding, and I'm excited to see who takes that step this year.
What makes this current team special?
Like last year, it's the age of the players. It's exciting. It's not only soccer, but it's an exciting time in their life. Like I said, they're 16 to 21, they're becoming grown men. They're chasing this dream that they have, and they're trying to take the step into the professional sector. We're here to support them, and I can't wait to see the way they grow this year. Can't wait to see the way that they perform in games, and see how far that they can take it individually and how far we can take it as a team.
What are you most excited for?
What I'm most excited for is to see the growth in the players. I think that's what our project is, and I can't wait to see the way that they develop through the season.
Our goal as a team is very simple. Every time you step on the field, you're trying to win the game, and they have to have that in their mind that they're contributing to something bigger than just their individual development. I believe that ultimately, that's what helps them become a first team player, someone who contributes to a team, helps the team win, makes guys around them better.
That's what we shared with with the guys -- that it doesn't matter if it's a 5v5, soccer tennis, passing exercise, or MLS NEXT Pro Cup final, we are on the field to win the game.
