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Charlie Davies caused a flurry of speculation with a training camp photo that seemed to reveal a possible mystery trialist for the Philadelphia Union:
SQUAD #philadelphia #union pic.twitter.com/YhvvTG738X
— Charlie Davies (@CharlieDavies9) February 3, 2017
The mystery was soon solved:
@CharlieDavies9 @PhilaUnion Mystery player: Indy Eleven GK @keith_cardona (ex-NYRB Academy, MD Terp, USYNT, Liefering - Austria 2nd Div) pic.twitter.com/UiT1XLRgce
— Union Rumors (@UnionRumors) February 4, 2017
Indy Eleven's Keith Cardona, whose presence in the Union's preseason camp was subsequently confirmed by a place in the starting lineup for Philly's scrimmage with D.C. United on February 4.
Haven't yet identified Union's GK or RM. otherwise: GK, Fabinho, Marquez, Onyewu, Gaddis, Herbers, Creavalle, Jones, RM, Alberg, Sapong
— Steven Streff (@streffsoccer) February 4, 2017
This has solved the Union GK mystery. Keith Cardona, of Indy Eleven. https://t.co/GfE9ONXGFN
— Steven Streff (@streffsoccer) February 4, 2017
As noted, Cardona is a New York Red Bulls Academy product. He also has the distinction of being the only player to date to move from the RBNY development pipeline to Red Bull's European soccer projects. Back in 2014, Cardona accompanied Santiago Castano on a trial with FC Liefering - the lower-division Austrian club that is effectively RB Salzburg's reserve team. Surprisingly, since Castano was the Academy 'keeper RBNY had elected to give a pro contract, Liefering signed Cardona.
By March 2015, Cardona's Austrian adventure was over, and he signed with NASL's Indy Eleven. The 24-year-old has served as Indy's back-up 'keeper for two seasons, and was expected to return to the club for 2017.
Philadelphia Union is famously partial to acquiring goalkeeping talent.
Best of luck, Keith.