Brotherly Game Daily Links: Andre Blake voted 2020 Union Player of the Year

Philadelphia Union News

Blake voted the 2020 Union Player of the Year
The Best XI and MLS Goalkeeper of the Year winner defeated homegrown Brenden Aaronson in the finals with over 80% of the fan votes that were posted on Twitter and Facebook.

Season in Review: The Next Wave of Homegrowns
While Philadelphia Union were dominating on the pitch and claiming the 2020 Supporters’ Shield, Sporting Director Ernst Tanner spent the season also signing the Union’s next generation of talent from the Union Academy with five new homegrowns joining the roster on January 1.

Brenden Aaronson greeted by Jesse Marsch as he arrives at Red Bull Salzburg
In an interview, Aaronson discusses his initial impressions of the club and city, and also revealed that Marsch greeted him at the airport and gave him a tour of the training center and home stadium.

MLS News

Galaxy close to hiring Greg Vanney as manager, try to retain winger Cristian Pavón
Pavón, 24, was the only man to play every minute for the Galaxy last season, leading the team in goals (10) and assists (7). Since coming to MLS in August 2019, he has had 13 goals and 15 assists in 33 games.

Every MLS team’s 2021 New Year’s wishlist
What do you do when you’re facing the problem of losing at least two of your most talented players to historic transfer fees?

Mauricio Pineda signs new, multi-year contract with the Fire
The Bolingbrook, Ill. native registered a team-high 2,022 minutes, and became the first Homegrown in Fire history to start every match of his rookie season. He proved to be versatile as well, beginning the season in midfield before Gaston Gimenez’s arrival, then dropping to play center back alongside Francisco Calvo for the remainder of the season.

Should MLS divide its conferences into divisions?
After a taste of what a divisional table could feel like in 2020, should the league consider making it permanent as expansion continues?

Sporting KC Make Transfer Bid for Norwegian Center Back
Stian Gregersen is a right footed center back, though the rumor refers to him as a midfielder. It does appear he’s played some defensive midfielder in his day. It would seem unlikely that KC would add him in that role, as their newest signing Remi Walter is rumored to play that spot. Additionally, they already pay Ilie Sanchez $900,000 or so to man that position.

RSL set to sign Rubio Rubin
The Oregon native seems to have found some form in San Diego, even scoring a hat trick as recently as September of this year against arguably the league best Phoenix Rising. Having only played in four matches for the Loyal, he contributed quickly scoring five goals in four games. This is impressive as it usually takes players a bit of time to acclimate to a new club.

World Soccer News

2021 Soccer Almanac: Key dates and major tournaments in busy year ahead
Unfortunately for those eager to plan out a 2021 calendar that’s closer to pre-coronavirus norms, many aspects of the coming year’s events remain up in the air as various entities wait to see what the pandemic will allow. Here are some key dates and timeframes we do have thus far.