Eric Ayuk’s loan to the Swedish first division, which was finalized earlier this week, was mostly about getting the 20-year-old midfielder playing time and experience in a top-flight league. It also demonstrates the roster flexibility having a USL team provides the Philadelphia Union have when it comes to international players.
Ayuk’s departure for the season means the number of international players on the first-team roster has gone from 11 to 10. And while that number is still two more than what’s allotted by the league, having Bethlehem Steel FC means the Union really have 15 international roster spots.