Brotherly Game Daily Links: Union look to find game changer this offseason

Philadelphia Union News

Philadelphia Union get through another MLS Expansion Draft unscathed
Austin FC added players from San Jose, New York Red Bulls, Nashville SC, LA Galaxy and Orlando City.

Finding a game-changer: A Union wishlist
2021 will be a true measure of their ambition given the ransom of transfer funds that will be at their disposal. Brendan Aaronson’s record transfer and swirling rumors of Mark McKenzie and Kai Wagner’s potential departures leave the Union with some work to do, but nothing that can’t be solved with a heartier than usual checkbook and a thriving academy pipeline with currently incorporated Homegrown talent.

MLS News

Armchair Analyst: Austin’s roster build begins to take shape after the Expansion Draft
There are three ways to approach Expansion Draft picks. We saw Austin FC hit all three in Tuesday night’s draft: 1. Go with a value pick who’s going to give you solid minutes but isn’t going to be a star. 2. Get an asset to trade. 3. Swing for the fences. 

The complete list of free agents for the 2021 MLS season
The MLS offseason will go into full swing Wednesday (Dec. 16) at 1 pm ET, when the league’s Free Agency period opens following the End-of-Year-Waivers process, allowing veterans throughout the league to engage with and sign with any club.

Boca Juniors midfielder reportedly tops Gabriel Heinze’s Atlanta United shopping list
Even if Almendra’s standing within Boca Juniors has been damaged recently, the 20-year-old’s transfer value is still extremely high. Transfermarkt.com’s latest valuation of the central midfielder is listed at around $12 million.

Rapids agree to deal with defender Lalas Abubakar that keeps him in Colorado through 2024
The deal, which includes a club option for an additional year, was announced Tuesday. Terms were not disclosed.

Concacaf News

Impact come up short, eliminated from CCL on away goals
Needing to score at least two goals to have a chance of advancing, Montreal got the first off a second-half strike from Amar Sejdic, but saw their 2020 CCL run come to an end after finding themselves unable to find a second.

Tigres pour it on in second half, bounce NYCFC from CCL
Star striker Andre-Pierre Gignac scored the opener for Tigres in the 30th minute, with Leandro Fernandez, Rafael Carioca and Javier Aquino adding insurance goals to pace the Liga MX giants through to the semifinals by a 5-0 aggregate scoreline.