Brotherly Game Daily Links: Blake extends Union stay till 2024

Philadelphia Union News

Andre Blake contract extended through 2024 with club option for 2025
The Philadelphia Union announced Thursday that they have reached a new agreement with the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year that will keep him on the books through 2024 with a club option for 2025.

Schedule Update | Union Announce Two Date Changes To October Matches
Philadelphia Union have announced their home match against Columbus Crew, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 2, will now be played on Sunday, October 3 at 4:00 p.m. ET at Subaru Park. Additionally, Fireworks Night, presented by Bimbo, has been moved from October 2 to September 3.

MLS News

Heinze: Josef Martinez’s absence is coach’s decision, not fitness related
It was initially thought that Martinez, who tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to quarantine and did not play in the tournament, was needing to rebuild fitness before reintegrating into the first team. He has reportedly been training by himself away from the team ever since and was not selected for Atlanta’s match against Nashville SC last Thursday.

Houston Dynamo Football Club announce multi-phase renovations of BBVA Stadium
The safe standing section will allow 1,200 supporters to consume the north end of the venue for all Dynamo and Dash matches.

LA Galaxy sign Efrain Alvarez to contract extension
The LA Galaxy announced on Thursday they have signed midfielder Efrain Alvarez to a two-year contract extension through the 2023 season, with a club option for 2024. Alvarez will be classified in an MLS U22 Initiative roster spot under the program rolled out this year.

FC Dallas transfers Tanner Tessmann to Italian side Venezia FC
Tessmann earned his first United States Men’s National Team call up in January 2021 and made his senior team debut on January 31, 2021 against Trinidad and Tobago. Tessmann was also called up to the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team in March to participate in the 2020 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.

Concacaf News

2021 Gold Cup recap: USA 6- 1 Martinique – the Americans crush a Concacaf minnow
The Americans were more talented on every area of the pitch and it showed. A pair of goals in the first half gave way to a four goal explosion in the second as the Caribbean side got worn down and overpowered by the USA. A late penalty scored by Martinique could be costly as it swung the goals forced tie breaker in the group away from the Americans.

Canada frustrated with performance despite victory over Haiti
For the second-consecutive match, the Canadian men’s national team picked up a group stage victory at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, and although Canada scored four goals, the overall mood in the group isn’t where you’d expect it to be.