Doop Roundup: Philadelphia Union preseason enters second week, new signings & the trip to clearwater

The Philadelphia Union are entering their second week of preseason. In the first week they added some new players and solidified a preseason roster. Now the team travels to Florida for their first stint in Clearwater. All this and more in the latest installment of Doop Roundup.

Union enter the second week of preseason:

The first week of preseason is over. The players got back onto the training pitch, and got to work. While there is not much to take away from the first week back, many of the players looked sharp. Youngster Brenden Aaronson made some headlines as the Union coaching staff have been high on how he’s started preseason. However, the 18-year-old midfielder is not the Borek Dockal replacement many fans want. This position is one that the club says is a priority, and a possible signing could be coming soon. Another highlight of the first week of preseason was that the Union practiced a lot with back line of three players. This could be because two of their center backs are with the US National team right now, but it may also be a clue to the change of style the Union will take under Tanner.

As the club enters their second week, there are still roster spots to fill. This week will be the first down in Clearwater Florida; it will also be the first week with a preseason scrimmage. More on that later, let’s first take a look back at the Union’s preseason roster.

Philadelphia Union Preseason Roster:

@PhilaUnion announce their preseason roster. There are some names on this list who have not yet been signed to the team, but have been rumored to be a part of the Union's squad. pic.twitter.com/YApYae1hn1

— Tim Lovenguth (@Tim_Lovenguth) January 22, 2019

The 25-man-roster is smaller than in years past, and the lack of a big name signing makes the roster seem a bit boring. Here’s a look at the breakdowns of position:

Goalkeepers: 3

Andre Blake

Carlos Coronel

Matt Freese

Defenders: 8

Auston Trusty

Mark McKenzie

Jack Elliot

Aurelien Collin

Oliver Mbaizo

Matt Real

Ray Gaddis

Fabinho

Midfielders: 9

Warren Creavalle

Harris Medunjanin

Derrick Jones

Alejandro Bedoya

Anthony Fontana

Brenden Aaronson

Ilsinho

Fafa Picault

David Accam

Forwards: 5

Sergio Santos

Cory Burke

CJ Sapong

Kacper Przybylko

Yomi Scintu (trialist)

This roster is one that sporting director Ernst Tanner keeps saying is better than last year. So even without a bigger name/more experienced players this team should and can compete for spots on The Union’s roster. Players from the academy and Bethlehem Steel FC also joined the group for training’s, and will continue to train with the team in Florida.

New Signings:

Last week the Union signed veteran defender Aurelien Collin and international keeper Carlos Coronel. Collin is a great signing for center back depth. He can come in a pinch and be a handful for opposing teams attackers. Coronel comes to the Union on a one-year loan with the options to buy. The 22-year-old keeper played for Ernst Tanner’s old Club Red Bull Salzburg. He’s young and a viable keeper to back up Andre Blake. The option to buy on his deal is tantalizing. Could the Union buy Coronel and shop Andre Blake either this summer or next winter? It seems like this could happen with this move.

The two new players have integrated themselves into the team already. However more signings, like the rumored central midfielder and left back could and should hopefully join the team soon. Tanner has said many times that they are close on negotiations for players to help fill the first-team squad.

Trip to Clearwater

The Union start their first stint in Clearwater Florida this week. A full week of training and the first two preseason scrimmages await. Here is a look at the upcoming schedule:

Monday, January 28	Team travel to Clearwater, FL
Wednesday, January 30	Scrimmage vs. New York Red Bulls (Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex / 3:00 p.m. ET)
Saturday, February 2	Scrimmage vs. University of South Florida (Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex / 7:00 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, February 6	Scrimmage vs. Birmingham Legion FC (Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, 7:00 p.m. ET)
Thursday, February 7	Team travel to Philadelphia
Monday, February 11	Team travel to Clearwater, FL
Tuesday, February 12	Scrimmage vs. Orlando City SC (Omni ChampionsGate / 12:00 p.m. ET)
Saturday, February 16	Preseason match vs. Montreal Impact (Al Lang Stadium / 4:00 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, February 20	Preseason match vs. D.C. United (Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex / 7:00 p.m. ET)
Saturday, February 23	Preseason match vs. Ottawa Fury FC (Al Lang Stadium / 2:00 p.m. ET)
Sunday, February 24	Team travel to Philadelphia

The team will prepare for nicer weather, more training and preseason scrimmages. This week The Union will take on New York Red Bulls at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. This match is set for Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. ET, no word yet on if it will be streamed. Philly will follow-up with a weekend match against the University of South Florida also at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. This will be Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET, again no word yet on if this will be view-able.

The Union have started preseason off nicely. The group of players are building an atmosphere of comradery. Hopefully there will be more players on the team soon to build off that. The team will get its first game situation test this week in preseason scrimmages, which will be a welcome sight to see how this team takes to Ernst Tanner’s new style!