The official list of Union players in health and safety protocols has been released. This is heartbreaking for the Union as they enter the biggest game in club history. Hopefully, some players will be removed from this list, but only time can tell.

Union Players in Health and Safety Protocols

• Alejandro Bedoya
• Joe Bendik
• Andre Blake
• Cory Burke
• Jack Elliott
• Jakob Glesnes
• Ilsinho
• Alvas Powell
• Sergio Santos
• Quinn Sullivan
• Kai Wagner

If players are fully vaccinated, that would mean they are exempt from the five-day quarantine period. In the past, Jim Curtin informed the media that his players were in fact, vaccinated. MLS describes health and safety protocols as a player that can be listed as questionable or out for the following reasons.

• Quarantine due to participating in high risk behavior
• Quarantine related to being a high risk close contact
• Pending COVID-19 test results
• An inconclusive COVID-19 test result
• A positive COVID-19 test or a confirmed case
• Other illness not related to COVID-19

The list has six starters in health and safety protocols. That list includes the entire back line, the two center backs in Glesnes and Elliot, and of course, goalkeeper Andre Blake.

Blake is arguably the best goalie in the league, and why the Union advanced to the next round in penalty kicks. Unfortunately, Blake is not the only goalie in the protocols as second-stringer Joe Bendik is out. This leaves homegrown keeper Matt Freese as the next man up in goal. 

We are around 24 hours from kickoff, so these next few hours will be crucial to see if Jim Curtin will have more players available for the Eastern Conference final. Of course, we move regardless.

Make sure you’re down at Subaru Park early tomorrow. Our friends at The Gambler have a pregame show happening in the fan plaza. Event kicks off at 1:30, then we move into the game and have postgame immediately following the match.

Mandatory Credit: USA Today