More moves for the Union?
Union coach Jim Curtin hinted that that the team could be making more moves following Monday's Major League Soccer Discovery signing of defender Oguchi Onyewu.
Union coach Jim Curtin hinted that that the team could be making more moves following Monday's Major League Soccer Discovery signing of defender Oguchi Onyewu.
The 34-year-old defender, who played for the United States in the 2006 and 2010 World Cup, solidifies the back line. But the next moves could involve the midfield.
Midfielders Adam Najem and Fafa Picault have been trialists at camp and have impressed Curtin. Najem had 10 goals and 11 assists as a senior in 2015 at Akron.
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.
"We'll have some final news coming up hopefully in the next couple of days on those guys, but [they are] guys who seem like they can really contribute," Curtin said.
Simpson to join team
English striker Jay Simpson, who recently signed with the Union, has yet to join the team. But Curtin said he just got his visa situation straightened out and will meet the club in Florida. The Union departs Tuesday for Clearwater for the first of two different February camps in Florida. The season opens March 5 in Vancouver.
The Union's other recent international signing, Dutch left back Giliano Wijnaldum, has not yet practiced but was taking a physical on Monday.
Goalkeeping help
The Union are still looking for a third goalkeeper. John McCarthy, the backup to MLS goalkeeper of the year Andre Blake, has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
"We were close to signing a third keeper but didn't pull the trigger," Curtin said.
The Union will bring some keepers from their academy to Florida since Curtin prefers having about four goalies in training camp.
Rosenberry returns
Defender Keegan Rosenberry, who was at the U.S. national team January camp before being released on Friday, returned to training with the Union on Monday at the University of Pennsylvania.
While he was disappointed to not having an extended stay, Rosenberry, 23, gained a lot from his first national team camp.
"It was a good experience," he said. "I was happy to be out there and very honored to get the call and be part of it."
Last season, Rosenberry played every minute of the regular season and earned an all-star berth as a rookie. He said he'll use his early release from the national team camp as motivation going forward.
Union teammates Alejandro Bedoya and Chris Pontius remain with the national team. Both played in the 0-0 draw with Serbia in Sunday's international friendly in San Diego. It was Bedoya's 54th cap and the first for Pontius.
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