Harriel signs on as a Homegrown

The Union’s latest Homegrown player signing is from … well, he’s from Florida. And his acquisition wasn’t exactly free.

In a welcomed return of MLS roster mechanism minutiae, the Union Friday signed defender Nathan Harriel to a Homegrown contract, after acquiring his rights from Orlando City with a firstround pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.

Harriel joined the Union Academy in 2018. The native of Oldsmar, Fla., played regularly with Union II at right back last year. The 5-11, 169-pound Harriel has been capped at four youth national team levels.

Harriel, 19, will stay with Union II in 2020. His MLS contract will kick in next Jan. 1.

“Nate is a promising young player who has a lot of potential to thrive in our style of play,” sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a club statement. “He can dominate wide areas with his speed and looks to play forward quickly after winning the ball. His versatility on the backline makes him a valuable asset to the team and we look forward to watching him develop as he continues to progress through our system.”

Tanner has traded or passed on his picks in each of the last two SuperDrafts. With the wealth of talent from the Academy — i.e. players like Harriel — there hasn’t been a need to look externally. •••

The Union will conclude Group A play at the MLS Is Back tournament without midfielder Jose Martinez.

Martinez, the on-theedge holding mid, apparently went over the line in Tuesday night’s 2-1 in over Inter Miami, suspended one match and fined an undisclosed amount for violent conduct on Andres Reyes.

After hitting the turf off an aerial dual with the center back in the 40th minute, Martinez kicked out at Reyes, making glancing contact to the midsection. The play was reviewed via VAR but no discipline was given by referee Silviu Petrescu. Martinez was on a yellow card. The Venezuelan has picked up yellows in all three of his MLS matches but has impressed with his aggressiveness.

Without Martinez, Warren Creavalle is likely to start in Monday’s game against Orlando City (8 p.m., FS1). Matej Oravec or Cole Turner would be the reserve. Both would be making their debuts. The Union have already sealed progress to the knockout stage.