New York Cosmos would like to keep Philadelphia Union loanee past this season

The New York Cosmos still have at least one, and hopefully two matches left to play in 2015, but already, the club is starting to look towards next season. Empire of Soccer spoke with Cosmos coach Gio Savarese following Wednesday's training session about one offseason question that the club will be facing, the loan of Leo Fernandes (from the Philadelphia Union), which will be coming to an end when the season concludes:

"He has been very content to be part of the New York Cosmos. I think he feels comfortable being here. We just have to see how things will work."

"I had no doubt that he was going to be this productive. Actually, before he was drafted in MLS, I tried to bring him in. I knew his quality. I had him as a young player before, I coached him. Once we were able to bring him in, thanks to the hard work of Alecko (Eskandarian), it was very important for us to have him. He has done a tremendous job, and has a lot of quality.

"He grew even more so as a player so we will see what the future will lay for him."

-Empire of Soccer

I've thoroughly enjoyed having Fernandes in the squad, as he's been an awfully nice addition to an attack that has struggled to put the ball in the net over the past several seasons. Between Leo and winter signing Walter Restrepo, the boys in green got some much needed contributions from the wings in terms of both goal scoring and assists. Savarese hasn't had this sort of depth to choose from in attack during past seasons, and the team's offensive numbers this season certainly reflect that.

That said, Fernandes has been good enough that I'm sure the Union, who have been terrible, could find a use for the forward. Hopefully things work out, and Leo remains in New York, but I'd still be looking at other options just in case.