The Philadelphia Union may be off to a strong start in 2016, but they're not just standing pat when it comes to upgrading the squad.
A Tuesday report by Kevin Kinkead of the Philly Voice revealed that the Union have been scouting 19-year-old Colombian forward Mateo Casierra and that the club rates him highly.
The club confirmed their interest to MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday in an emailed statement: “It’s our duty as a club to constantly evaluate players that may be available. Mateo is a talented, young prospect and any team would be interested in acquiring his services.”
The MLS primary transfer window closes at 1 am ET on Thursday, May 12 and the secondary window won’t open again until July 4.
The right-footed striker has been with Deportivo Cali since last year, scoring 12 goals in 38 appearances and helping his side win the 2015 Colombian Apertura trophy.
Casierra also recently scored two goals in a Copa Libertadores group stage match against Boca Juniors, coached by former Columbus Crew SC star Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Deportivo Cali finished last in their group and did not advance to the knockout rounds.
Orlando City duo Cristian Higuita and Carlos Rivas were the most recent imports from Deportivo Cali, both joining their MLS squad in January 2015 ahead of the Lions' expansion season. And this week reports emerged indicating that Italian giants AC Milan are eyeing Higuita, who is on Colombia's 40-man preliminary roster for the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
CJ Sapong is currently the only natural target striker on the Union roster with experienced wingers Sebastien Le Toux and Chris Pontius also capable of playing the position. Rookie Fabian Herbers has been an option off the bench as a withdrawn forward.
