Damiani, Harriel and Vassilev available for selection Saturday

A right back staple and two additional newcomers to the Philadelphia Union will be available for Saturday’s home opener at Subaru Park.

Head coach Bradley Carnell said Nathan Harriel has been training “all full go” and will be available for Saturday along with new designated player Bruno Damiani and recent acquisition Indiana Vassilev.

All three players were not in the squad for the season opener in Orlando last Saturday, paving the way for Frankie Westfield to make his MLS debut in place of Harriel. Olwethu Makhanya also made his MLS debut in the starting XI along with offseason acquisition Jovan Lukic.

“He definitely belongs to the available roster this coming weekend,” Carnell said of Harriel, who did not feature in preseason after picking up an injury the first day of training camp. “Bruno is right back from his work visa engagement so he’s back training with us, eligible for the roster as well this coming weekend.”

Carnell will have more decisions to make this week with FC Cincinnati coming to town off a mid-week Concacaf Champions Cup draw on Wednesday at home. FC Cincinnati advanced in the competition with a 5-2 aggregate score over Honduran side FC Motagua.

Will Makhanya get the start again or will Ian Glavinovich – who made his Union debut as a late sub in Orlando – slot in to pair with Jakob Glesnes? Will Westfield get another run or will Olivier Mbaizo get the nod and Harriel be available off the bench? Damiani is likely an early sub off the bench for Carnell along with Vassilev, who figures to be a kind of Swiss Army Knife for his new club.

“He arrived here like he’s been playing with the team for six months already so he’s easy to integrate within a new group and he’s a good player within the philosophy,” Carnell said of Indiana. “And he’s available, ready to go.”

Saturday will of course be Carnell’s first time at Subaru Park as the coach of the home side. One big difference this time around will be his reaction to the team’s goal song: Scooter’s “Maria (I Like it Loud).”

“I always hated the Doop song,” Carnell said. “Now I can’t wait for the Doop.”