Happy Friday! A week of frigid temperatures and snow comes to an end with another snow storm in the Philadelphia region. The Union meanwhile are soaking up the Florida weather as they prepare for their first game of 2024 against Flamengo on Sunday.

In the email today:

1. 🇧🇴 José Jamir Berdecio Announced

The Philadelphia Union have announced the acquisition of 21-year-old Bolivian defender José Jamir Berdecio on as a season-long loan from Club Deportivo Oriente Petrolero.

“Jamir is a young and very talented player,” Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner stated in a news release. “We’ve watched his play in both the Bolivian Primera División and Bolivia’s U23 National Team and were impressed with his potential. We look forward to seeing how he integrates into our system of play and contributing to his development.”

Listed as a right back and holding midfielder, Berdecio has made 37 appearances and 29 starts in the Bolivian top flight since making his debut in March 2021. He recently made the Bolivia U23 team for the first time for a training camp ahead of the Conmebol Pre-Olympic Tournament but did not make the final roster for the tournament. Bolivia faces Union II striker Jose Riasco and Venezuela on Saturday.

The season-long loan agreement includes a purchase option. Expect to see Berdecio suiting up for Philadelphia Union II in MLS Next Pro to start the season.

2. 🇻🇪 Riasco on Venezuela Team for Olympic Qualifying

Philadelphia Union II striker Jose Riasco will get a chance to represent the host country in the upcoming 2024 Conmebol Pre-Olympic Tournament in Venezuela.

Riasco, a 19-year-old who was loaned to Uruguayan Primera División side Club Atlético Boston River in September, is one of five forwards on the 23-man roster.

Venezuela opens the competition on Saturday against Bolivia in Caracas.

All 10 Conmebol countries are competing in the tournament. The top two teams will advance to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ten teams, including the U.S., have already qualified for the 16-team men’s tournament. Two teams from South America, three from Asia and the winner of a playoff between Asia and Africa will round out the field.

Riasco was acquired for a reported $1 million transfer fee in 2022 but has had mixed returns playing for Union II in MLS Next Pro. He has four goals and three assists in 26 appearances and 1,446 minutes. He had two goals and two assists in 509 minutes on loan with Boston River in 12 appearances.

3. 👉🏾 Tweet of the Day: Young Jedi

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Biggest Need

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Hershey, Pa. native and former PA Classics youth player Christian Pulisic was named U.S. Soccer Men’s Player of the Year for the fourth time. Kevin Paredes was named the Young Player of the Year beating out Jack McGlynn and three other finalists.

• The match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be unveiled on a live broadcast at 3 p.m. eastern on February 4.

• Inter Miami is set to embark on an insane 23,000-plus mile excursion across the globe for preseason and MLS as usual can’t shut up about it. Because Messi.

• Union fans who love pickleball can get a racket with a Union logo on it for $95.

• The soccer stadium in Orlando that is home to Orlando City and Orlando Pride has a new name and it’s pretty terrible: Inter&Co. Stadium.

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