The Union had their first off-week of 2017 this past week. There was a lot you might have missed this past week. We at Philly Sports Network are on top of it! Here are the Union off-week stories.
Jay Simpson’s health:
Simpson returned to training this week and looks to be good to go for this coming Saturday’s match at DC United. The Englishman’s toughness has been shown, and he is hungry to produce for the Union. He is already on the score sheet and will look to get on it again at DC, who happen to be last in the east right now. Simpson is a great example of the type of toughness this team needs. The Union did a good job of showing his recovery process in the tweet below.
https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/845007886510149632
Josh Yaro update:
It was a great week for recovering Union players. The Union released an update on injured center back Josh Yaro. Yaro is cleared to run again, and is still on pace to be up for selection in May/early June. His progression is a happy reminder, that the Union could be back to full strength along the back line in the coming months.
https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/845367867860180992
Eric Ayuk is back:
This is less of a story and more of an intriguing update. Eric Ayuk was spotted by Kevin Kinkead at Union training this past week. This is intriguing because, Ayuk was supposedly loaned to a Swedish club after playing for Cameroon U-20s. Apparently that was not a true claim as Ayuk is back in Philly. The speedy winger did well with Cameroon’s U-20s in the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations scoring in two out of three matches. However he will have to work hard to break the Union’s 18 that has depth already at the wing.
Eric Ayuk is at Union training today along with Jay Simpson
— Kevin Kinkead (@Kevin_Kinkead) March 22, 2017
Warren Creavalle called up:
Warren has been called up to Guyana’s national team for their upcoming friendly match against Martinique on Tuesday. The out of favor Defensive midfielder sill get a chance to play for his national team, and maybe will show the Union he is a valuable asset for them at the six moving forward. Creavalle lost his spot to Medunjanin, after playing very well for the majority of the 2016 season for the Union. This national team call-up could be enough to push him for more in 2017.
https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/845335619782021121
Bedoya plays for USMNT:
Alejandro Bedoya made the US Men’s National team’s World Cup qualifying roster. He wasn’t chosen to start on Friday night versus Honduras, but played a huge role in the game. In the 18th minute Sebastien Lletget had to be replaced due to an ankle injury. Bedoya came on and helped the team secure their gigantic 6-0 win. Bedoya helped close down the oppositions attack, and helped spread the field during the attack on the right-wing. Which poses the interesting question: Why doesn’t Bedoya play the wing for the Union?
18' — #USMNT sub: @AleBedoya17 comes on for @SLletget after he sustains a left ankle injury.
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) March 25, 2017
Union-Steel Scrimmage
The Union had a closed door scrimmage with affiliate team Bethlehem Steel, ahead of their season opener coming this weekend. The game ended a 3-1 win for the Union. Many Union players had good showing’s; including, CJ Sapong, Ilsinho, Najem, and Trusty. Our friends from Brotherly Game were in attendance and wrote up this good review of the match. Check it out in the tweet below.
Everything you need to know from a (mostly) closed scrimmage between Steel FC and the Union https://t.co/fJ9mfPPgG0 pic.twitter.com/C8fxgzKq5f
— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) March 25, 2017
The Union are back in action this weekend against DC United, which is a match up of the two bottom teams in the east. Philly Sports Network will have a preview of the match; as well as, a review of Jim Curtin’s presser ahead of the match. Also be on the look out for a short recap of the three MLS matches that took place this past weekend as well. Until then, peace out Union fans!
Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports
