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The much anticipated USMNT January Camp roster release was yesterday and it came with some disappointing surprises and plenty of speculation from the Union faithful.

In the email today:

1. 🇺🇸 McGlynn Call-Up Fuels Speculation

Could a USMNT call-up actually be a bad thing?

Jack McGlynn was the lone current Philadelphia Union call-up announced Monday to the first January Camp of the Mauricio Pochettino era, which meant Nathan Harriel and Quinn Sullivan were snubbed.

That Harriel was passed over for Shaq Moore and DeJuan Jones was certainly a disappointment (and what again is the point of Walker Zimmerman and Tim Ream being there?) but his standing with the senior national team after earning a call-up last January and not featuring was still a question mark. Sullivan was snubbed for the Paris Olympics so there was at least some precedent there.

Enter this Marcus Chairez tweet, which Jose Nunez confirmed.

It’s not the first time the USMNT release question has come up with the Union. Sporting Director Ernst Tanner caused a bit of an uproar way back in 2019 when he mentioned the possibility of blocking Mark McKenzie from going to the U-20 World Cup. McKenzie ended up going and was named captain but was also recovering from an appendicitis and didn’t feature for the U.S. in the the tournament.

Now with a trip to Spain coming up and a new head coach in place there is a question over what is best for the USMNT-eligible players on the team - to go to Spain or play two friendlies in Florida with a mostly MLS-only squad.

McGlynn has been considered for the past two seasons as one of the next players in line for a European move but despite his progression and impact to the Union attack his fit in their system remains a question, especially as a new coach seemingly even more committed to the Red Bull way enters. Interest abroad has reportedly cooled for McGlynn and featuring for the USMNT would be a better shop window if Tanner is looking to deal him.

Time will tell on that front.

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2. ⛰️ Font Signs with Colorado Springs Switchbacks

Anthony Fontana’s European adventure has come to an end (for now). The 25-year-old from Delaware is back in the U.S. and reuniting with former Bethlehem Steel teammates Zach Zandi and James Chambers to solidify the Switchbacks’ title defense in the USL Championship.

Fontana played with Switchbacks’ head coach Chambers and Zandi for the Bethlehem Steel in 2019. The Newark, Del. native signed a homegrown contract with the Philadelphia Union in 2018 and had the option to return for the 2022 season but opted to head to Serie B in Italy where he found playing time even more limited before a stint with PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie.

“Football is an up and down sport, at every low there was always one person that always had my back, that was [Switchbacks Head Coach] James Chambers,” Fontana said in a news release. “I can’t wait to fight for him and the club.”

The former Penn Fusion and Union Academy standout made 10 appearances and logged 350 minutes of playing time in the Netherlands but recently mutually agreed to terminate his contract with the club. Prior to competing in the top-flight in the Netherlands, Fontana logged just 18 minutes in three appearances for Ascoli Calcio in Italy’s Serie B.

“I’m extremely excited about joining and helping the team try to repeat what was accomplished last season,” Fontana said.

Zandi might not be the only fellow Union Academy grad on the field for the Switchbacks in 2025. Matt Real, who was released by the Union after spending the 2024 season on loan in Colorado Springs, could return and Brandan Craig could be another Philly bred option on the back line.

3. 🐍 Tweet of the Day: I’ve Had It

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Bradley Carnell Is…

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Union II roster decisions for 2025 were released.

• Here’s a player movement tracker for players with ties to Philadelphia.

• Soccer Parenting is looking for parents to complete their annual survey.

• Kensington SC is joining new summer league The League for Clubs.

• The Union will be playing the Czech League leaders as part of their preseason trip to Spain.

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