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An out-of-contract German-born Polish striker is getting an extended look from the Philadelphia Union ahead of a critical stretch of games for a team battling for hardware on two fronts.
Kacper Przybylko was back with the Union on Wednesday after joining the team on a trial last week.
“He’s done really well,” head coach Jim Curtin told reporters on Wednesday. “Big target, No. 9 and a guy who has really good feet for a big guy.”
Przybylko has been a free agent since leaving German club FC Kaiserslautern in the summer and recently trialed with English League One club Sunderland AFC. He scored nine goals in 45 appearances for Kaiserslautern from 2015-2018.
While Cory Burke’s recent run of form — three goals in his last four games — has been a big reason for the Union’s resurgence, the German-born former Polish youth international could provide some depth for the stretch run, which includes a pair of Wednesday night away games (Seattle and the Open Cup final in Houston).
“There will be some discussions in the very near future and we’ll make a decision that’s best for the team down the stretch,” Curtin said Wednesday.
The Union currently has two senior roster spots and a supplemental roster spot open as well as a first team international slot after Eric Ayuk departed the club to sign with a second division team in Turkey. The team also has room for one additional first team international slot via a loan to Bethlehem Steel FC, which has six of its seven international spots filled.