Photo: Earl Gardner

Philadelphia Union

Maurice Edu will be taking questions on Reddit today beginning at 9:30 am. Details on the “AMA” (“Ask Me Anything,” although I prefer “Ask Mo Anything”) can be found here and here.  If you’re unable to participate in the session, check back on the thread as there is sure to be plenty of interesting information. Edu’s appearance is both the first time a designated player has participated in an AMA and the the first time a Union player has done so.

Philly Soccer News talks to Edu about his return to MLS and how the preseason has been going. Edu says a possible return to the USMNT in time for the World Cup wasn’t the only consideration in landing with the Union. “I mean that played a part in it, but at the same time I think this was a good fit for me. I know John Hackworth. My impression of the club, their ambition, what they want to do this season . . . They spoke about some of the guys that they had coming in. Also they spoke really highly of the group that they already had here so I think it was a good fit for me in terms of I was really excited with everything that they had to say, and just how passionate they were about the club and their ambition.”

Edu said of last week’s preseason tilt against New York, “It was all right. Obviously as preseason goes on I think we’ll all be sharper, and there is a couple small things that normally we would be better at but I think that’s just because it’s early on in preseason.”

The Union play Orlando City on Wednesday in the first of four games at the Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, which brings into focus the fact that the Union coaching staff will have to make some tough decisions ahead of the Roster Compliance deadline of March 1. John Hackworth says, “You look at the number of roster spots we have open and available and there’s only a few of them. So the guys that are on trial and the guys that were our draft picks, they have a tough job. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to make some tough decisions. But there are good competitive battles and it’s been healthy for the individuals and the team.”

The Brotherly Game’s series on positional depth continues with a look at Union left backs.

Buzz on Broad has some preseason Union storylines.

Local

University of Delaware men’s soccer head coach Ian Hennessy has agreed to a five-year contract extension. Hennessy led the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances in the last three seasons.

MLS

Player moves:

• Toronto unveiled Brazil national team goalkeeper Julio Cesar on Friday, who joins the team on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
• Montreal have signed 21-year-old Uruguayan forward Santiago González via the discovery process.
• FC Dallas have acquired Colombian forward Andrés Escobar on loan from Dynamo Kiev.
• Chivas USA announced the signing of midfielder Thomas McNamara, who was selected in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.
• Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens is currently training at Norwegian club Stabaek, which is now coached by former USMNT head coach Bob Bradley. Colorado technical director Paul Bravo said, “We’ve been working with Matt to find a solution that is positive for both him and the club, so we’re allowing him to explore his options.”

TFC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko says of bringing in Cesar, “This was not about addressing a need…But we had an opportunity to add a world-class goalkeeper who is going to be playing at the World Cup in Brazil and who is a champion. If we are trying to create a winning culture here, who better to have than one of the most winning ‘keepers in the world. Few ‘keepers can compare to what Júlio has done in terms of winning.” Sorry Joe Bendik.

The New York Daily News says Thierry Henry still has plenty left in the tank.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal talks to former Reading United forward Deshorn Brown, who was drafted by Colorado in 2013.

At SI, Colorado president Tim Hinchey says he feels confident about the new season despite the fact that the Rapids do not currently have a head coach.

Former Union man Brian Perk is looking for more minutes with the LA Galaxy after seeing his playing time last season curtailed by concussion issues.

DC United have unveiled their new home kit. Eddie Johnson is one of the DC players pictured modelling the new kit but The Washington Post’s Steven Goff notes discussions are ongoing as to the terms of his contract with the club. Goff writes, “Johnson is under contract in 2014 but, as part of the agreement that brought him to Washington from Seattle in December, United is prepared to rework his deal and make him a designated player ($375,000+). Under the current pact, Johnson is set to earn about $175,000.”

DC United also unveiled new renderings of the proposed stadium at Buzzard Point.

According to Metro, David Beckham is working to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo when his Miami franchise takes the field in 2017. Such reports are sure to be something of a growing industry.

At ESPN, Jason Davis looks at the already “percolating” rivalry between Orlando and Miami.

Should David Beckham be registered as a lobbyist in Florida? The Miami Herald reports, “The Miami-Dade’s ethics commission is examining whether Beckham, his investors or their representatives broke any rules requiring lobbyists to register before making a pitch to public officials. A violation of the registration requirement can result in a fine or a temporary ban from County Hall, though that penalty is unusual.” More here.

At MLSsoccer.com, Jonah Freedman has a long-form look at Nashville FC, the first fully supporter-owned soccer club in the US. Also at the league website, a companion piece looks at “The world’s Top 5 fan-owned soccer teams.” Forget the actual “rankings,” the second article notes “the Bundesliga effectively requires its clubs to be majority-owned by their fans.” Wouldn’t that be nice.

US

Reports that USMNT target Julian Green will be training with the team ahead of the friendly against Ukraine created a buzz at the start of the weekend. More on the news from Goal.com and The New York Times. The buzz only increased when German news outlet Bild reported (crappy Google translation here) that Green has chosen to commit to playing for the US rather than Germany. More from ProSoccerTalk.

Inside World Football looks at the work being done by Andi Herzog, the Austria-based US assistant coach who “keeps a watching brief over the 17 or so American qualified players on the continent who could realistically make it into the World Cup squad.”

In a video interview with the Blackpool FC website, former Union man Freddy Adu says he still hopes to make the US World Cup squad. “You never know. You play well for the next couple of months and you’re in camp for the World Cup. You just never know.” Em, I think it’s pretty safe to say that, in this case, we certainly do know that’s not gonna happen. You can see the full interview on YouTube and more reports on his comments at MLSsoccer.com, Soccer America, uk.europort.yahoo.com, and The Blackpool Gazette.

Following the USWNT’s recent trio of friendlies — all of which were won by the US, outscoring their opponents 16-0 — The Guardian has a post from Richard Farley which persuasively argues that the biggest challenge facing the team is finding truly competitive opponents between the Olympics and the World Cup.

Elsewhere

Reuters reports, “All 32 coaches of the World Cup finalists are scheduled to gather in one of the Brazil’s leading tourist resorts for a workshop this week as the country seeks to put its best foot forward months before the kick off of the 2014 finals.”

That best foot may have taken a step back. The owners of Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre say they do not have the money required to complete renovations at the stadium, which is scheduled to host four group stage games and a round of 16 game.

Reuters also reports, “An independent inspector will look into possible structural damage caused by an October fire at a World Cup stadium in western Brazil, following a Reuters report that the blaze was far worse than government officials have previously said.” The fire took place at the Arena Pantanal in the city of Cuiabá.

FIFA’s chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak says every player at the 2014 World Cup will be drug tested before the start of the tournament.

German news outlet Die Welt reports (crappy Google translation here) that, according to a “senior FIFA employee,” moving the 2022 World Cup from Qatar is a “serious option.” ProSoccerTalk has more on the report.

Goal.com wonders if UEFA will really ban teams that do not comply with the Financial Fair Play rules from the Champions League when the new regulations take full effect in the summer.