Brotherly Game Daily Links: Union open preseason camp

Philadelphia Union News

Takeaways from the Union’s first day of preseason camp
With chilly temperatures hitting the region, Philadelphia Union opened its 2020 preseason camp indoors at the 76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Delaware. After a high-quality 90 minute training session that included 7v7 games and passing drills, here are the takeaways from the first day of camp.

Union kick off preseason with high but realistic expectations after last year’s gains
Back when Ernst Tanner first started to set out his plans for the Union, he said his second year in charge of a team usually goes better than his first. This might be a problem.

MLS News

Kyle Beckerman re-ups for 2020, signs new RSL contract
His return bolsters a midfield that already contains within it a good number of starting players, and it will be particularly interesting to see whether Beckerman is put directly into starting lineups, or if he’ll be playing a more calculated bench role.

Bradley suffers serious ankle injury; Altidore hits out
USMNT midfielder Michael Bradley will reportedly be out for up to four months due to an ankle injury he suffered playing for Toronto FC in the 2019 MLS Cup final against Seattle. That was the MLS Cup final, in November.

Romain Alessandrini announces he’s leaving the LA Galaxy
Alessandrini played in just five games during the 2019 season after undergoing surgery for a knee injury. He spent three seasons with the club.

Fire sign goalkeeper Connor Sparrow
Sparrow comes from Nashville SC, where he started nine games last season when that club was in the USL Championship. He was drafted by Real Salt Lake in 2016, and spent three seasons with RSL’s USL Championship side, Real Monarchs.

2020 MLS Trialists: Your rundown of where players are auditioning for new contracts
Here’s where some familiar and not so familiar faces are on trial with preseason camps opening this month.

FC Cincinnati Adds American Goalkeeper Bobby Edwards to Roster
After 62 collegiate appearances, including 60 starts, Edwards registered 262 saves and earned 11 shutouts during his four collegiate seasons. Upon graduation, Edwards signed a professional contract with Portadown FC in June of 2019.