And we’re back. Your weekday Philadelphia Union newsletter was on a brief hiatus but we’re back with a similar ambition (and low-entry paywall) to keep you up-to-date on the latest happenings in the world of the Philadelphia Union and local soccer.

In the email today:

1. 📷 You Know It’s Silly Season

You know it’s silly season again when a photo of some friends grabbing a bite after training together leads to speculation that a certain younger brother might be headed to a different club in Europe.

Yes, it’s January and as the MLS offseason quickly comes to a close the news is coming quickly…for other teams around the league at least.

FC Cincinnati signed Miles Robinson and may be selling Brandon Vazquez, Zack Steffen and Djordje Mihailovic appear to be headed to the rockies and that was just Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Union are targeting a 21-year-old in Bolivia for a potential loan deal.

January is fun for everyone but Union fans it always seems.

The fear of course is that the team that underachieved running it back in 2023 is complete, minus a DP striker, a star left back and a captain. Nothing is definitive (still)on any of those three fronts but neither is the urgency to panic. Preseason starting soon and a game in Costa Rica on February 20 is no cause for panic. Skepticism yes, but not panic.

In the meantime, all that’s left to do is stalk Instagram accounts, avoid senseless arguments on Facebook and find hangers for your soccer jerseys stuffed in the back of your closet.

2. 💰 Meme of the Day: $ugarman

3. 📽️ Video of the Day: Top 10 Union Goals

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Union Mood Check

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Gilbertsville, Pa. native Leon Maric, who played locally at FC Delco, Union Academy, Penn Fusion, St. Joseph’s and West Chester United is up for NISA Goal of the Year

• Former Lafayette College goalkeeper Alex Sutton is Carolina to the Core now. He signed recently with MLS Next Pro indie Carolina Core FC.

• USWNT midfielder Andi Sullivan joined husband Drew Skundrich and fellow PA Classics alum Russell Canouse at a club event over the holidays to discuss their careers in professional soccer. All three play in the DMV: Sullivan at Washington Spirit, Skundrich at Loudoun United and Canouse at DC United.

• The Icarus Cup is coming back to Philadelphia for a fourth year in July.

• Bethlehem Steel FC will be represented at this year’s NFL Pro Bowl. Former Steel defender Brandon Aubrey was selected for his standout rookie season kicking for the Dallas Cowboys.

• Name the former Philadelphia Union player who made his Arsenal debut the same year as Jack Wilshere.

Thanks for reading! It’s great to be back.