Photo: Courtesy of Casas League

Philadelphia Union

At Pro Soccer Talk, Nicholas Mendola talks to Keegan Rosenberry about his expected call up for the January USMNT camp and transitioning to right back from midfielder while at Georgetown:

Participating in a match to help USMNT reserves stay fit during the Copa America Centenario, Rosenberry wasn’t slotted with his Philadelphia teammates; The right back was plugged in behind winger Christian Pulisic for the U.S. side.

“At first I kinda thought it was a coincidence,” Rosenberry said. “What a chance to hopefully show well. But the more people I talked to, it seemed they wanted to get a proper look at me. As the season progressed, I didn’t think too much of it…I’m obviously very, very excited to even be in the discussion. I can’t wait.”

In the article, Rosenberry’s coach at Georgetown, Brian Wiese, compares him to Matt Besler. The article also has this interesting passage: “While Rosenberry says there was a chance he’d have to fill in at center mid following deep injuries to Philadelphia’s corps, he expect he’s a right back for life right now.”

Jim Curtin, and former Union head coach John Hackworth, are among the 13 coaches to complete the first US Soccer Pro License Coaching Course, which was was completed on Saturday, Dec. 17 in Chicago: “Eventually, the new license will become mandatory for coaches in each of the four current professional soccer leagues recognized by U.S. Soccer: MLS, NASL, USL and NWSL.” More at Philadelphia Union and MLSsoccer.com.

Former Union man Taylor Washington, who spent 2016 on loan to Bethlehem Steel, has signed with USL side Pittsburgh Riverhounds “a one-year deal with a club option for the 2018 season.” More at Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Pittsburgh Sports Castle.

Local

BAM United have won the Casa League’s Kelly Cup championship: “They found the golden goal to complete a comeback victory 2-1 over South Jersey FC.” You can watch a replay of the championship final, which was played at Talen Energy Stadium on Tuesday night, on YouTube by clicking here.

MLS

Chicago have signed Hungarian striker Nemanja Nikolic as a Designated Player from Legia Warsaw on “a three-year deal.”

DC have acquired Costa Rican forward José Guillermo Ortiz from CS Herediano “on loan with an option to buy at the end of the 2017 season.”

Houston have acquired Honduran international Alberth Elis from CF Monterrey: “The forward will join Houston as a Young Designated Player on a 12-month loan”.

Portland have acquired goalkeeper Jeff Attinella from Minnesota “in exchange for a natural second-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.” Pioneer Press reports, “The deal is expected to also enable the Loons to receive Miguel Ibarra’s discovery rights in MLS, according to a source.”

Former New York Cosmos assistant coach Carlos Llamosa has joined New England’s technical staff as an assistant coach. A ten-year player in MLS, Llamosa played for the Revolution in 2002-3 and before working with the Cosmos was an assistant coach at Chivas USA..

They’ve started to install the grass at Orlando’s new stadium.

The AP reports, “A group seeking to build a new soccer stadium in St. Louis postponed its Tuesday meeting with a state finance board, one day after Missouri’s governor-elect expressed strong opposition to public financing for the project.” More at St. Louis Business Journal.

Nashville’s bid to gain an MLS expansion franchise is being led by John R. Ingram, “a giant in Nashville’s business world with one of the city’s most prominent last names.”

At SBI, a review of the ten leading candidates for MLS expansion.

US

The AP reports changes have been announced to the USMNT’s World Cup qualification schedule due to Mexico’s participation in the Confederations Cup: “The U.S. Soccer Federation said Tuesday that the Americans’ home game against Trinidad and Tobago will be played June 8, a day earlier than first scheduled. The Americans’ match at Mexico will be played June 11, two days ahead of the original date.”

ESPN reports, “Wolfsburg have cancelled their trip to the Florida Cup to focus on turning around their season, with a winter training camp in Spain now planned instead…Wolfsburg’s withdrawal from the competition means that only Bayer Leverkusen will be present at the Florida Cup with their first team.” More on the Florida Cup here.

Elsewhere

The AP reports, “A Dutch government public health organization says it is safe to play soccer and other sports on artificial turf fields covered in rubber crumbs, following an investigation triggered by fears over dangerous chemicals in the granules.”

ESPN’s James Tyler and Nick Miller debate whether a 48-team World Cup is a good idea.

At The Guardian: “FIFA: the video game that changed football”.