The first team was off this weekend so we’ve had a chance to catch our breathe a bit. Union II, however, did continue their impressive start to the season staying unbeaten in front of the home fans on Sunday afternoon. For those keeping track at home that’s 13 games unbeaten between the first and the second teams to start the MLS and MLS Next Pro campaigns.

In the email today:

1. 💸 Union Swap International Roster Spot for GAM

The Philadelphia Union will have one fewer international spot available for the remainder of 2024 and into the 2025 season but they'll also have $350,000 more to spend next season after a deal announced yesterday with Nashville SC.

The Union sent Nashville one of their 8 international roster spots to Nashville in the deal which will mean they'll have 7 spots the rest of this season and in 2025. Nashville is paying the Union $350,000 in general allocation money in 2025.

The Union currently have six of their 8 international spots occupied. Both Richard Odada and Joaquin Torres require international roster spots but both are out on loan.

That leaves Daniel Gazdag, Mikael Uhre, Jose Martinez, Olwethu Makhanya, Jesus Bueno and Tai Baribo occupying roster spots per the roster posted on the MLS website.

Moves of this nature are typically a signal of pending roster moves by Sporting Director Ernst Tanner but in the case of the $350k Tanner won't have that to put toward any deals until next season.

The summer will likely see some movement with international players on the roster, however. Richard Odada's loan with Danish side Aalborg BK expires on June 30. Baribo continues to languish on the bench with 0 minutes this season and just 151 total minutes since being acquired last summer.

2. 📚 Favorite Soccer Books

Today is World Book Day so it’s a great time to take a look at some favorite soccer books.

Here’s some of ours. Let us know what’s missing.

• Accidental Heroes: The Grassroots Movement that Saved the Columbus Crew

• Among the Thugs

• Distant Corners

• Fever Pitch

• From Football to Soccer

• Inverting the Pyramid

• Miracle on the Mon

• Pretty Poly: The History of the Football Shirt

• Scheisse! We’re Going Up!

• Soccer in a Football World

• The Miracle of Castel di Sangro

• Trautmann’s Journey: From Hitler Youth to FA Cup

• Gods of Soccer: The Pantheon of the 100 Greatest Soccer Players (According to Us)

• Building the Yellow Wall: The Incredible Rise and Cult Appeal of Borussia Dortmund

3. 🎧 Tweet of the Day: DOOP on the Playlist

4. 💧 Water Cooler: What To Do With Tai Baribo

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• The Union stayed in-house with the hiring of their new academy director, tapping Jon Scheer for the job succeeding Tommy Wilson. The former Blue Hen standout and assistant coach has been in the organization since 2018 so he’s a good choice for maintaining stability and continuity.

• Union II just keeps refusing to lose and they’ve also started to get the hang of penalty shootouts too.

• Is Ray Gaddis the next Union alum to find post-career success in the booth? He’s fresh off his debut in Atlanta.

• Speaking of players in the booth, Lancaster native Zarek Valentin is getting his feet wet in broadcasting while rehabbing an injury for Minnesota United.

Philadelphia Union One Planet Pre-Match Jersey Now Available. Order at the MLS Store.

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