Brotherly Game Daily Links: Austin FC to make Expansion Draft picks

Philadelphia Union News

Ilsinho and Oravec left available for selection in MLS Expansion Draft
Warren Creavalle, Michee Ngalina, Andrew Wooten, Joe Bendik and Aurelien Collin will also be available for selection since players on the 2020 roster are eligible. Bendik and Collin are out of contract while Creavalle, Ngalina and Wooten had options declined for the 2021 season.

Season in Review: Outside backs rise to the occasion
The group entered the season with high expectations led by Kai Wagner after his standout debut campaign for the Union. Wagner started 30 matches and racked up eight assists for the high-powered offense but as the season kicked off at FC Dallas, Wagner was still in Philadelphia battling back from a lower leg injury.

OTD 2018: Union sign Sergio Santos
Bringing to the club a famous smile that can light up a room, Santos has been lighting up opposing defenses since he broke into form for the Boys in Blue midway through the 2019 season. 

MLS News

2020 MLS Expansion Draft: Official list of players eligible for selection
Austin FC may select up to five players from the eligible MLS player pool below. Only a single player can be drafted from any one club. Once one player has been claimed from a club’s unprotected roster, Austin may not select any other players from that club’s list.

Best players available for Austin FC in 2020 MLS Expansion Draft
The comprehensive list of eligible players isn’t just of interest to Austin. Any other club around MLS can begin calling to orchestrate a trade for a player they fancy, though Austin sporting director Claudio Reyna told media on Friday that he mainly expects to use the draft for adding players rather than fielding trades. He’ll be listening to offers, though. 

The Top 5 picks in MLS Expansion Draft history
Le Toux was one of the 11 players left unprotected by Seattle for the subsequent Expansion Draft, clearing the way for the Union to swoop him up ahead of their debut 2010 MLS campaign. The Frenchman proved to be a productive addition, earning an MLS All-Star selection in that 2010 season, and netting 25 goals in 62 appearances over the next two years.

Nico Lodeiro agrees to Sounders contract extension, report says
Lodeiro has been arguably the best signing in Sounders history since joining the team in the summer of 2016 and has shown no signs of slowing down. He has accumulated 33 goals and 58 assists in regular-season play over five seasons.

Inter Miami confirms Diego Alonso still the coach — for now — after ‘miscommunication’
The club’s sporting director and COO Paul McDonough stepped down last week, and a few sources said that Alonso was also let go, but that is not true, according to the club management. What happened, they said, is that owners expressed their displeasure with how the season went during an emotional meeting, Alonso assumed he was fired, told some staff members and the word leaked out.

Rest of the World News

Champions League draw: Barcelona vs. PSG the highlight as Liverpool face Leipzig, holders Bayern draw Lazio, Ronaldo’s Juve face Porto
Manchester City were drawn against Borussia Monchengladbach, while Real Madrid will face Atalanta. Europa League winners Sevilla were paired against Borussia Dortmund. The two-legged ties will be played starting Feb. 16.

UEL draw: Man Utd face Real Sociedad; Benfica vs. Arsenal
United dropped into the Europa League following their elimination from the Champions League at the group stage and face a tricky clash against the La Liga leaders.