Photo: Earl Gardner
The Philadelphia Union announced its preseason training camp roster on Sunday afternoon.
In addition to draft picks Dzenan Catic, Eric Bird, Aaron Simmons and Raymond Lee, the roster includes four trialists. Two of the trialists are goalkeepers, John McCarthy and Brian Sylvestre.
McCarthy will be familiar to readers through his time with La Salle University, as well as Ocean City Nor’easters and Reading United. After signing with the Rochester Rhinos in 2014, the Cinnaminson, NJ native finished the season with a .72 goals against average over 18 appearances and was named USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
Sylvestre, currently with Harrisburg City Islanders, was signed by Vancouver Whitecaps in 2011 following time in the Whitecaps Residency Program. After signing with Harrisburg in 2013, Sylvestre’s professional debut came in the 3-1 loss to the Union in US Open Cup play on June 17, 2014. In 2014, he had three appearances for Harrisburg in league play for a 1.9 goals against average.
The other trialists are Hector Palomino, a forward with Atletico Venezuela, and Coady Andrews, a defender with Harrisburg and MISL side Missouri Comets.
Palomino (whose given name is Hermes) is currently on loan from Atletico Venezuela to fellow Primera División Venezolana side Aragua. Palomino’s professional career began at the age of 18 in 2006 and includes two years with Bulgarian first division club Cherno More Varna. He has appeared in 86 games as a professional, scoring 20 goals. Palomino also has one appearance with the Venezuela national team.
Andrews made 15 appearances with Harrisburg in 2014, scoring two goals.
Three Union Academy players round out the roster, U-16 goalkeeper Andrew Verdi, and forward Sebastian Elney and midfielder Sean Wilson, who are both on the Union Academy U-18 team. All three Union Academy players have also seen time with US youth national teams, with Elney participating in the U-18 MNT training camp in Marabella, Spain in December following a training stint with Tottenham Hotspur.
Players reported for physicals last Thursday, participating in light workouts over the weekend.
Monday begins the first full week of training at YSC, the week concluding with a practice on Friday that is open to fans from 12 pm to 2 pm.
On Monday, Feb. 2, the team departs for Florida and the first phase of preseason training in Clearwater.
|
Coady Andrews (trialist) |
D |
Missouri Comets |
|
Austin Berry |
D |
Union |
|
Eric Bird (draftee) |
M |
Univ. of Virginia |
|
Andre Blake |
GK |
Union |
|
Brian Carroll |
M |
Union |
|
Conor Casey |
F |
Union |
|
Dzenan Catic (draftee) |
F |
Davenport University |
|
Danny Cruz |
M |
Union |
|
Maurice Edu |
M |
Union |
|
Sebastian Elney (academy) |
F |
Union U18s |
|
Fabinho |
D |
Union |
|
Fred |
M |
Union |
|
Ray Gaddis |
D |
Union |
|
Antoine Hoppenot |
F |
Union |
|
Michael Lahoud |
M |
Union |
|
Sebastien Le Toux |
M |
Union |
|
Raymond Lee (draftee) |
D |
Saint Louis University |
|
Cristian Maidana |
M |
Union |
|
Richie Marquez |
D |
Union |
|
Rais Mbolhi * |
GK |
Union |
|
John McCarthy (trialist) |
GK |
Rochester Rhinos |
|
Jimmy McLaughlin |
M |
Union |
|
Vincent Nogueira |
M |
Union |
|
Hector Palomino (trialist) |
F |
Atletico Venezuela |
|
Zach Pfeffer |
M |
Union |
|
C.J. Sapong |
F |
Sporting Kansas City |
|
Aaron Simmons (draftee) |
D |
UCLA |
|
Brian Sylvestre (trialist) |
GK |
Harrisburg City |
|
Carlos Valdes |
D |
Union |
|
Andrew Verdi (academy) |
GK |
Union U16s |
|
Andrew Wenger |
M |
Union |
|
Aaron Wheeler |
F |
Union |
|
Ethan White |
D |
Union |
|
Sheanon Williams |
D |
Union |
|
Sean Wilson (academy) |
M |
Union U18s |
|
* Unavailable due to international team commitment |
||
I was kind of hoping Farfan was still in the mix.
So was I. All well
I wonder if Farfan doesn’t want to risk going through re-entry and getting picked somewhere he doesn’t want to go? I wonder if any other team would be that interested in him? He might stand a better chance to slip by teams if he waits until after pre-season starts and teams settle on a roster (if he wants to come back to Philly). If the Union is sitting 8 or 9 in the allocation order he’d be a great player to use it on, they aren’t likely to get a crack at anyone better from that spot.
He could be waiting for the CBA to include free agency. Unlikely (both that he’s waiting for it and that it will be in the CBA), but a possibility.
Full credit to the Union for releasing their training camp roster. They didn’t have to do this so nice to see.
Transparency makes for good relations with the public. I had not realized that Sylvestre’s professional debut was the Open Cup game against us. All credit to PSP for getting the news.
Didn’t he actually play for the Whitecaps for a short time? He was pretty impressive in that Open Cup game. Makes Blake look like a toothpick.
Very true, he was positively beastly in that Open Cup match.
Did the U list Edu as a midfielder and if so does that shed any light on his anticipated role?
There’s a story on CSN Philly earlier today with Jim Curtin saying they are pursuing either a center back or a holding midfielder in Europe in addition to a striker. He commented that the result of the pursuit would influence where Edu plays.
Thanks, missed that article.
It is troubling that our “star player”, “face of the franchise” is waiting on a signing, before he has a dedicated position. I think that slotting Edu at CB is a terrible decision, both for the Union and for his USMNT future. He has an opportunity to play a crucial role for the U (CDM), which he is very much suited for. Not to mention it is a position of need.
Shit…I was worried that we weren’t going to put a competitive club on the pitch. Now that I have had the chance to look at this list of all stars…we’re going to be fine!!!
.
Damn…is my drink empty already?!
This is what we’ve been promised? This is what we’ve been urged to “wait and see?” Hermes Palomino? Really? While most of our competitors wheel and deal? This is why I redooped for the fifth time? This is cause for rejoicing?
Avoid the rush. Panic. Now.
2 of last offseason’s big signings (Edu & Nogueira) were in the last week of January. No need to panic.
And there was also buzz that the Union were actively competing for players. The failed attempt at the Argentine who signed with Malaga, the signing of Maidana. Only chatter Union have been involved with are the Polish DM and sale of Valdes. Miracle could happen, but panic should only be an option if you have been expecting something to actually happen all along.
Last year there were three stages to preseason. An earlier story about the preseason schedule followed the same schedule as last year. The first stage is at YSC, to earn the spots for the first Florida trip, i.e., the second stage of training camp, and the scrimmage against University of South Florida and the game against Jacksonville Armada. Are you worth the cost of a week to ten days in Florida, in other words. Then they come home for a weekend. The second trip back to Florida is the third stage of training camp the IMG tournament. In other words are you good enough and “roster friendly” enough to make either the Union or Harrisburg?
Was really hoping we’d see a left footed winger with pace to slot behind Wenger. Like Oduro…but, like, actually good though. Cruz can definitely fill that role on the right side. I only saw 4-5 Harrisburg games, but Derschang showed some promise there. I guess it will be up to McLaughin though I don’t know if he’s left footed. I suppose it could be Fabinho, but I don’t want to rile up the commenters.
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I definitely see a good number of fringe guys, so anyone of quality they can add will be a welcome sight. At pretty much any position but GK.
I meant with Oduro’s speed, I don’t think he’s left footed either. This team is pretty thin on the wings.
I’m actually quite OK with Fabinho playing on the wing. He has less defensive responsibility there, which minimizes his downside a lot.
I remain underwhelmed. If the Union are still actively intending to bring in difference makers at striker.LB. holding Mid then so be it. But why go about it the way they have. There is a deep abiding mistrust of this organization that cuts me to the core. There is a constant sneaky, backroom, hush hush,cloak and dagger, shadiness in the practices of this organization that makes absolutely no sense.
Hush hush is the default when you are not doing anything.
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A backup GK will be signed. If the Polish DM is signed, Valdes will be sold – Union never add without subtracting. No DP striker will be signed. Your additional forward will come from a trade within MLS.
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Union fans deserve better, but this FO and coaching staff cannot give it to us.
I know but for all intents and purposes we have been lied to again if that is the case.
As I have been a negative voice on this website regarding the offseason, here are some positive things I hope to see from the Union’s 2015 season:
– Zach Pfeffer given a fair opportunity with the club
– The continued development of Ray Gaddis
– CJ Sapong thrives with in new environment
– Mo Edu able to turn his CB role with the Union into a return to the MNT conversation.
Glass half full…!!!
I’m so excited. I just can’t hide it. I’m about to lose control and I think you like it!
Good news is with the #1 pick in the 2016 Super Draft I can pick another goalkeeper.
Fire Me Now. NOW. NOW.
– Sak
Attention Mr Sugarman, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sell this team to Comcast, or anyone who will give this fan base and market the franchise it desperately wants and deserves! We thank you for bringing a team to Philly but PLEASE sell it to someone with the financial and competitive wherewithal to make this franchise what it should be. PLEASE!!!
From an Explorer to an NC Falcon, Good Luck John McCarthy!
Man, I hope for the sake of all our morales that we hear about a couple signings this week….
I would settle for a plan. The ‘up-in-the-air’ status of our club is beyond troubling.
I’m not saying this team is doomed, but at first blush this kinda blows chunks.