Fafa Picault, Adam Najem and Oguchi Oneywu train with Union as preseason begins
The Union held their first workout as they begin their eighth Major League Soccer season, and there were several developments for a team that last played on Oct. 26 when they were eliminated from the playoff with a 3-1 loss at Toronto.
The Union held their first workout as they begin their eighth Major League Soccer season, and there were several developments for a team that last played on Oct. 26 when they were eliminated from the playoff with a 3-1 loss at Toronto.
Midfielders Adam Najem and Fafa Picault attended practice as trialists. Najem is a former star at Akron, where he had 10 goals and 11 assists as a senior in 2015.
The 25-year-old Picault, who has one cap with the U.S. national team, has most recently been playing in Germany for FC St. Pauli of the 2 Bundesliga.
"It's great to have these players in and get a free look at them," Union sporting director Earnie Stewart said.
Another participant was 34-year-old Oguchi Onyewu, owner of 69 caps with the U.S. national team. He has played for several European clubs during his career and is a center back, a position of need for the Union.
Stewart says that Onyewu was just training with the team. But when asked if he could sign, the Union sporting director replied, "Never say never."
A moment later, Stewart expanded on the situation.
"Obviously we are looking for a center back, and it's pretty easy he fits that mold. But at the same time it needs to be possible and needs to fit," Stewart said. "That is going a bit too far right now."
The Union also said that they are looking for a No. 3 goalie. All-star Andre Blake is firmly entrenched at No. 1, and La Salle University product John McCarthy is the current backup. Coach Jim Curtin said that McCarthy is currently dealing with a shoulder injury.
The Union's two recent international signings, Dutch defender Giliano Wijnaldum and English striker Jay Simpson, have not yet arrived while dealing with visa issues. Both are expected to be with the team sometime this week or early next week.
Second-year center back Josh Yaro, who was dealing with a late-season concussion, is cleared to play and was training.
The Union currently have used their seven international slots, but Stewart said that status of some internationals could be changing. According to Stewart, some internationals are in the process of applying for green cards. He would not say who.
Designated player Maurice Edu, who missed all of last season, is not yet training. He was injured first with a stress fracture in his left leg and then a fractured left fibula, on Oct. 22, the day he was supposed to play in the regular season finale.
"The doctors have a better timetable when that time is when I can start running," Edu said. "I am anxious and just want to go out and start playing again."
The Union has three players training with the U.S. national team, defender Keegan Rosenberry, and midfielders Chris Pontius and Alejandro Bedoya.
Curtin and Stewart say the Union has gotten good reports on all three.
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