Happy Tuesday, readers! The Philadelphia Union are back in Florida along with Union II as both teams prep for the season ahead. Two weeks to go until the Champions Cup opener in Costa Rica.

In the email today:

1. 🏆 Philadelphia to Host Six World Cup Games

On an hour-long broadcast that really could’ve just be an email, we learned on Sunday afternoon that Philadelphia will be hosting six FIFA World Cup games in 2026. Five group games and one knockout game on July 4th.

The news that the USMNT will be playing all of their group games on the West Coast was a disappointment and somewhat surprisingly the July 4 game is controversial in some circles.

One post I saw on my personal social feed from a person who is usually measured in his opinions called the decision “dumb” because of all of the other activities that will be happening that day to celebrate the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence.

Still others are mad that it’s highly likely neither team playing will be the USA. The idea of England playing one of its former colonies in a game on America’s birthday is too much for some folks’ tastes apparently.

There’s still plenty of time before the schedule shakes out with plenty of qualifying still to go. In the meantime, let’s just be happy Philadelphia is playing such a big role and that the final will be easy drive up I-95 in New Jersey.

2. 🤩 Cavan Sullivan Hype Train Can’t Be Stopped

The Cavan Sullivan hype train has been chugging along for several years now but the news lately of interest from Europe and more news Monday that he’s with Philadelphia Union II in preseason in Florida is bound to speed that up even more.

The 14-year-old younger brother of Quinn Sullivan is an exciting player to watch - he’s arguably the most talented prospect at his age the academy has had in its ranks to date - but he’s also still got a long way to go.

Getting an opportunity to train and play in some of Union II’s preseason matches will be another important step for him. He’s certainly earned the opportunity in his performances playing for the Union U17s.

GIVEAWAY! Paid subscribers to The River End or Philadelphia Soccer Now will get a chance to win this framed Andre Blake newspaper. The deadline to join and enter the giveaway is February 29.

3. 🐍 Tweet of the Day: Brotherly Love

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Keeper Wars Results

Conventional wisdom appears to be that new signing Oliver Semmle will get the bulk of the minutes this season when Andre Blake is away on international duty. Though no one voted for him, don’t count Andrew Rick out.

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• In part 2 of his Mac Attack series, Greg Oldfield looks back at the Philadelphia Fever era of Dave MacWilliams’ career. To read the first two parts, use the code FREEPASS at checkout after creating a membership account.

• Inter Miami has had a bit of a disaster of a preseason tour and if that translates into less than great results in the regular season that might not be such a bad thing.

• Union II striker Jose Riasco and the Venezuela U23s are still alive in Olympic qualifying with a massive game against Brazil on Thursday.

• Union Academy grad Ryan Becher has signed with St. Louis City 2 for the 2024 season with an option for 2025.

• WSFS Bank Sportsplex in Chester and Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington will be busy again this weekend hosting the Best of Cup, a youth tournament that is pitting some of the top teams in the region.

• Check out a photo gallery of the Union U17s vs New York Red Bulls on Saturday in Chester.

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