CSN Philly: Union need to add proven goal-scorer in offseason

The Philadelphia Union failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs, and have now embarked on their offseason with lots of questions to answer and holes to fill. Dave Zeitlin of CSN Philly pared down the list of things Philadelphia needs to fix to five on Monday.

The Union were 15th in the MLS in goals scored, so offense will certainly be an area in which the team needs to be improved. Zeitlin believes that answer may lie in adding a proven goal-scorer:

2. Acquire a proven, high-profile scorer There are a couple of key acquisitions the Union need to make but none are greater than bringing in a standout offensive player that can fire up the fan base and put the ball into the net. The Union finished with just 37 goals this season, the fourth-lowest total in the league. And while the late surge of 20-year-old Jack McInerney – who scored four of his team-leading eight goals in the final month of the season – makes this acquisition a little less urgent than it seemed earlier, it’s still necessary to give McInerney some help up top and boost a sagging offense.

Philadelphia finished eighth in the Eastern conference standings, well out of playoff contention. The year ended with a 3-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls. The Union's overall record was 10-18-6 with a negative-eight goal differential. Most of the team's struggles came on the road, where they were negative-ten on goals and scored just 15 times in 17 games.

2012's result was a big drop-off from 2011, when the Union made the MLS playoffs and finished third in the Eastern Conference.