Based off everything I've been hearing over the last couple days, the Union are the team in on Andrew Wooten. The deal is not officially done, but it is close. #DOOP— Joe Tansey (@JTansey90) June 20, 2019
Amazes me that journos can come out with total confidence a few days ago and say it was definitely Chicago, and now this.
I'm pretty sure Tansey is more of a journalist/more reliable than the guys that tweeted out those rumors. This could be a great signing. It makes a lot of sense. I'm optimistic.
Wooten announced, and according to Tansey it's a TAM deal: PLAYER NEWS 🚨: Union sign forward Andrew Wooten to the squad.🗣Help us welcome Andrew to Philly!Deets 👉 https://t.co/jYLWALfzBZ#DOOP pic.twitter.com/z8FSLIowNo— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 21, 2019 Here are all the details of the Andrew Wooten signing. The team is off the rest of the week so Tanner, Curtin and Wooten will address media on Tuesday. It’s a TAM deal and he’ll be available when the secondary window opens. #DOOP pic.twitter.com/fPHUMIxXne— Joe Tansey (@JTansey90) June 21, 2019
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/06/20/philadelphia-union-sign-forward-andrew-wooten-2-bundesliga Video interview with the new signing.
Wooten can't play until the transfer window opens on 7/9, so he's out for the next 5 league matches. The first match he can play is on 7/13 against Authentic Salt Lake. Hopefully that gives him plenty of time to get familiar with the team.
The "source" for the Chicago rumor was a single tweet from an account claiming to be a journalist. He deleted that tweet without comment once the Union signing was announced, meaning that he's not a real journalist. Just like the Fabian to Miami rumors, this story all stemmed from unproven speculation and took on a life of it's own, have not seen a single legitimate source saying that Chicago was the team.
Blake is the only player that made the All Star roster. Roster: █████ 100%Meet the full squad for the 2019 #MLSAllStar Game pres. by @Target! pic.twitter.com/tBYxpMvkWT— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 24, 2019
l'm ok with that. While the recognition would have been nice for him, at least there's no chance he gets injured in a meaningless friendly. Besides, he wasn't even on the fan ballot.
We could probably get Freddy for cheap...he's still trying to find a club. https://www.espn.com/soccer/club/un...eddy-adu-exclusive-im-not-ready-to-give-it-up
Maybe for the drum line or to hand out day old Bimbo bread as you leave the stadium. Feel bad for the guy that was overhyped and forced to play under Nowak at the start of his career. Hope is is able to find peace somewhere.
RJ Allen is training with the Union. Previously with NYCFC and OCSC, but hasn't played in 2019. Would probably be a good depth piece on the right side of defense especially with Mbazio out.
Has there been any recent word on whether, or not, Blake still has any interest from overseas? If the ball bounces the right way against the US and Jamaica gets the win in the Gold Cup Semis, it would push Jamaica onto the doorstep (if not breaking through) the FIFA Top 50. IIRC that was the sticking point for him moving before.
I believe playing for a top 50 nation only matters for getting a UK work permit. It wouldn't prevent him from going to a continental club in France/Germany/Netherlands/Turkey/etc. I only ever remember hearing rumors about him going to an English club.
That was just for the work permit for the England FA. I believe it was a Championship or League1 side nibbling around. IIRC there was mild interest from a Dutch side during the Earnie Eara. He could move to any Euro league now. More on the England rule, bit more nuanced. Think he’s eligible at this point from a GP perspective: “Which players do need work permits? Footballers from outside the EU must still obtain a work permit if they wish to play for English football clubs. Every non-EU footballer must successfully apply for a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) with the FA before the Home Office will consider issuing a work permit. The system has recently been tightened and now only non-EEA players who are internationally established at the highest level, and whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport at the highest level, are allowed to play in the UK. One of the reasons for the rule change was that only 58% of football players who were given work visas played any top-flight football in their second season. What are the criteria which will be used? Until 2015, football players needed to have played in at least 75% of their country’s senior international matches over the previous two years to play in the UK. Eligibility for a GBE now depends on a national team’s FIFA ranking, as follows: Official FIFA Ranking Required % of international matches in past 2 yrs FIFA 1-10 30% and above FIFA 11-20 45% and above FIFA 21-30 60% and above FIFA 31-50 75% and above” https://www.inbrief.co.uk/football-law/footballer-work-permits/
PLAYER NEWS: Union sign defender RJ Allen. Welcome to Philly, RJ!Get the deets 👉 https://t.co/ma12KI6pCs#DOOP pic.twitter.com/h9HKXViCuZ— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) July 2, 2019