Injured Edu may miss Union opener
Union designated player Maurice Edu has yet to practice with the team following sports hernia surgery, and his availability for the March 6 Major League Soccer opener at FC Dallas is in doubt.
Union designated player Maurice Edu has yet to practice with the team following sports hernia surgery, and his availability for the March 6 Major League Soccer opener at FC Dallas is in doubt.
"The fact that he hasn't been on the field, you can read into what you want," coach Jim Curtin said on Tuesday in a conference call. "It would be tough" for him to play on opening day.
Curtin wouldn't say for sure that Edu, who is returning to the midfield after playing center back last year, will be unavailable for the opener.
"If anybody can do this, it's Mo, who is a freakish athlete who has played through pain. But at the same time, we have to plan in case he isn't able to go," Curtin said.
The Union also signed two players on Tuesday, defender Ken Tribbett and midfielder Cole Missimo.
During the preseason, Tribbett, 23, made a big impression on the Union as a center back. The four-year Drexel starter was originally signed to the Union's new United Soccer League affiliate, the Bethlehem Steel. He played last year for the Union's former USL affiliate, the Harrisburg Islanders.
"He has proven he can play against MLS competition and belongs in this league," Curtin said.
Missimo was the Union's fourth-round draft choice from Northwestern, No. 64 overall.
He is the fifth player from the draft class to sign, joining first-round picks Joshua Yaro and Keegan Rosenberry of Georgetown and Fabian Herbers of Creighton, along with George Mason defender Taylor Washington, a second-round pick.
Curtin also said that highly regarded international midfielder Roland Alberg, who was held out of the last preseason match due to hamstring tightness, returned to practice on Tuesday.
Defender Ray Gaddis, who has missed recent time with a knee injury, trained fully on Tuesday, and Curtin said he expects him to play in Wednesday's preseason match against the New York Red Bulls in Clearwater, Fla.
Curtin also indicated the team would not have interest in former Union midfielder-defender Amobi Okugo, who was waived on Tuesday by Sporting Kansas City.
And finally, there is no update on whether the Union plans to sign Ilsinho, the Brazilian midfielder who has been a trialist with the team in Florida.
"We are happy with him every day," Curtin said. "We have a lot of good midfielders on our roster. But at the same time, we can never have too many good players."
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