Philadelphia Union have announced they have acquired goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre on a short-term loan from Carolina RailHawks. Per club and league policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed. The team has also announced Rais Mbolhi did not travel to Vancouver.
“We have evaluated all of our options and feel that Brian gives us the best opportunity to get a result in Vancouver,” technical director Chris Albright said. “We have confidence in the familiarity he has with both our players and staff. Rais remains a member of the Philadelphia Union and we will continue to evaluate all options in the best interest of the club.”
Sylvestre, 22, spent the entire 2015 preseason with the Union before signing with Carolina. He was originally a product of the Schulz academy and joined the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program in 2010. In 2011, he made five appearances with the PDL team and debuted with the Whitecaps reserves on June 20.
In 2013, Sylvestre joined the Harrisburg City Islanders and made three appearances for the club. His professional debut came against the Union during the 2014 U.S. Open Cup, where Sylvestre helped carry the Islanders into extra time, where the Union ultimately won 3-1.
The club also announced that league pool goalkeeper Trey Mitchell will join the team in Vancouver to provide cover at the position. Mitchell is from Alta Loma, Calif. and played collegiately at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
