In a further endorsement of the strength of the Union's academy, three of its products now in MLS have been called up to the U.S. under-20 men's national team for next month's Concacaf World Cup qualifying tournament.
Defenders Mark McKenzie and Matthew Real and midfielder Anthony Fontana are among 20 players on the squad for the tournament, which will start Nov. 1. But they won't all be there right away. McKenzie has been allowed to stay with the Union for as long as their playoff run goes. Real and Fontana, however, have left Bethlehem Steel even though they're in the midst of the USL playoffs.