Zach Pfeffer

Brian Sciaretta, in an interview with Pfeffer, revealed that Hoffenheim's interest in Pfeffer is beyond a simple partnership with the Union. He made it clear that this loan was not reciprocation for the Union taking Kai Herdling on loan in 2012.

From Keith Pompey of Philly.com: The Philadelphia Union have loaned local product Zach Pfeffer, only 17, to TSG Hoffenheim of the German Bundesliga.

The former Philadelphia Union academy standout played at Virginia and tweeted that his next step is to play for the under-20 United States Men's National Team.

A daily round up of Philadelphia news and links. The Brotherly Game's Union Freekicks on May 8, 2012.

Christian Hernandez's summer proclamation to ESPN Rise that he would be going pro appears to be on its way to becoming true, if clues to the identity of a major New Jersey soccer agency's newest client point in the right direction. Hernandez could become the Philadelphia Union's second ever Home Grown Player signing, and third acquisition of the 2011-12 MLS Offseason.

His junior year of high school has been great for Hernandez, who is the star of the nation's best high school team in the country. St. Benedict's has ranked at number one on ESPN Rise's ranking list for most of the 2011 season. At his last game with St. Benedict's, Hernandez told ESPN Rise high school soccer reporter Sheldon Shealer that he plans on going pro.

Cameron Keys, a member of the Philadelphia Union's academy system, was named as a part of US Soccer's 36 player under-15 national team camp. The goalkeeper joins the national team system as the country's two year cycle to prepare for the next under-17 World Cup begins.

The Brotherly Game's daily link round up of Philadelphia Union news. Union Freekicks on 9/26/2011.

The 16-year-old Pfeffer recently had his appendix removed, which kept him on the sidelines for a couple of weeks. Dave Zeitlin, of MLSsoccer.com and CSNPhilly.com, reported on the surgery and quoted Union assistant coach John Hackworth as saying it was a setback for Pfeffer's World Cup hopes.

Dave Zeitlin, of MLSsoccer.com and CSNPhilly.com, reported live from the Philadelphia Union's Reserve League game against the DC United reserves that the Union's Zach Pfeffer underwent appendix surgery recently.