Tonight there will be soccer in Chester, PA! Subaru Park is the home of Union II this season. They open their USL Championship season against DC United affiliate Louden United Saturday at 7:30 pm.Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union
Gone are the days of Bethlehem Steel FC. The rebrand to Union II shows the clubs transition from fielding a USL team to compete for championships to a developmental team for the young talented players moving through the Union's pipeline of players.
This Union II squad is packed with raw potential, and young talent, but there aren't many actual players on the roster.
Union II Roster:
USL Championship rules state that every roster needs to have at least 12 players rostered. Union II has exactly 12 players, two of which they signed this week.
Goalkeepers (1): Todd Morton.Defenders (3): Steve Kingue, Ben Ofeimu, Jamoi Topey.Midfielders (5): Jack McGlynn, Selmir Miscic, David Rabadán, Issa Rayyan, Zach Zandi.Forwards (3): Shanyder Borgelin, Saed Díaz, Yomi Scintu.
The average age of the squad is 19.875-years old; no one on the squad is above 24 years old! This youth movement shows that the club has transitioned away from the club's past versions as Steel FC.
The longest-tenured Steel FC player and captain James Chambers is not with Union II this season, and neither is former head coach Brendan Burke. Burke will remain with the Union organization, transitioning to Head of Recruitment Operations for both Union II and the first team. Replacing Burke is Sven Gartung, who was previously the head coach of Malaysian Super League team PKNS FC.
The club is showing the expectations for the second team moving forward will feature youth and progression of young players
Expectations for Union II
It's clear that Ernst Tanner wants this team to take on a youthful presesne and act as the main feeder for the first team. With only 12 rostered players, there will always be spots for first-team players who dod not make the Union's MLS games to get minutes with Union II.
Essentially, Union II will act in the same way as a minor league baseball team does. Young prospects are able to play professional minutes to show if they can climb up to the first team someday. Players on the fringe of the first team will also get playing time, and it's a place where players coming off injuries can re-acclimate themselves to playing.
This team is not focused on winning a USL Championship title. While it's the goal to win the games played, this team is meant to be observed to see up-and-coming players. If these players can win and be a competitive team in the USL Championship league in the process, then it's a win-win!
We'll get to see a first look at what this team and the young players can do tonight!
2020 Season Schedule:
Union II open their season tonight against Louden United! Here's a look at their entire 2020 schedule!
DATE
OPPONENT
Saturday, March 7
LOUDOUN UNITED FC
Saturday, March 14
@ North Carolina FC
Saturday, March 28
@ Charleston Battery
Friday, April 3
ATLANTA UNITED 2
Sunday, April 12
INDY ELEVEN
Monday, April 20
SPORTING KANSAS CITY II
Saturday, April 25
@ Hartford Athletic
Wednesday, April 29
LOUISVILLE CITY FC
Sunday, Mary 3
@ Birmingham Legion FC
Saturday, May 9
@ Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Friday, May 15
@ Miami FC
Sunday, May 24
ST. LOUIS FC
Saturday, May 30
@ Tampa Bay Rowdies
Saturday, June 6
@ Memphis 901 FC
Sunday, June 14
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC
Saturday, June 20
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE
Saturday, June 27
@Louisville City FC
Friday, July 3
HARTFORD ATHLETIC
Sunday, July 12
CHARLESTON BATTERY
Saturday, July 18
@ Indy Eleven
Saturday, July 25
NEW YORK RED BULLS II
Sunday, Aug. 2
TAMPA BAY ROWDIES
Saturday, Aug. 8
@ Sporting Kansas City II
Saturday, Aug. 15
@Hartford Athletic
Wednesday, Aug. 19
@ Loudoun United FC
Sunday, Aug. 23
NORTH CAROLINA FC
Sunday, Aug. 30
MIAMI FC
Friday, Sept. 4
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC
Friday, Sept. 11
@ New York Red Bulls II
Saturday, Sept. 19
MEMPHIS 901 FC
Wednesday, Sept. 30
@ Atlanta United 2
Wednesday, Oct. 7
BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC
Saturday, Oct. 10
@ Charlotte Independence
Saturday, Oct. 17
@ St. Louis FC
Check this team out this season down at the Soob. Go take a look at the next generation of Union homegrowns and players who are hungry to make it in professional soccer!
Click here to check out ticket information!
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Peace out Union fans!
Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union
