Former Philadelphia Union player Ilsinho has announced his retirement from soccer at 36 years old. The Brazilian midfielder joined the Union back in 2016 and has been with the club ever since. 

Ilsinho’s time with the Union

In his first year with the Union, Ilsinho made 25 appearances, recording two assists and scoring two goals. Ilsinho is most known with Union fans for his 2019 campaign. He made 28 appearances recording eight assists and five goals for the club.

Two of those goals came on the same night on June 8th against the rival New York Red Bulls. His second goal of the night was the game-winning goal in a 3-2 comeback victory. This game will always be known to fans as the “Ilsinho game”. 

Ilsinho was named MLS player of the week after this performance, becoming the second-ever Union player to win the award twice. He was also the second player to win this award in two seasons, with Sebastien Le Toux accomplishing this first. 

Last year in his final season with the Union, Ilsinho only made five appearances mainly due to injuries suffered throughout the season. Before last season, Ilshino hinted that this year might be his last. It wasn’t the way he probably wanted to end his professional career, but he will still go down as one of the club’s all-time greats. 

The Union take the field again Saturday night under the lights as the San Jose Earthquakes come to town. The union are entering this game following a great 3-1 road victory in Montréal.

Record-breaking signing Mikael Uhre is set to debut at home for the first time. I’m sure he will get a loud standing ovation, and it would be a memorable moment if he could find the back of the net Saturday night. 

Before the game we will get to see Ilsinho bang the drum, a new preseason ritual started this year. Sebastien Le Toux was first to strike the new six-foot-tall bass drum last Saturday.

Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images