FC UNION BERLIN NEWS

Jordan Siebatcheu - Scores and assists Pefok scored a goal and had an assist while taking two shots (one on goal), creating a chance and making three tackles during Saturday's 2-1 win over Leipzig.

Impact Pefok opened the scoring in the 32nd minute before setting up a goal in the 38th to play a hand in both Union goals. The goal was the second of the season for the forward while his assist was number one on the campaign.

AUGUST 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sheraldo Becker - Involved in both Union goals Becker scored a goal and had an assist while taking two shots (one on goal), crossing three times inaccurately and creating two chances during Saturday's 2-1 win over RB Leipzig.

Impact Becker set up Pefok in the 32nd minute before scoring himself in the 38th to play a role in both Union goals. The goal and assist were both the second on the season for the forward as he finished with team-high totals in shots, crosses and chances created in the win.

AUGUST 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

VAR denies Mané but not Bayern in 2-0 win over Wolfsburg

Sadio Mané had two goals ruled out through VAR but Bayern Munich still managed to beat Wolfsburg 2-0 in the Bundesliga

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Niko Giesselmann - Leader in multiple stats Giesselmann took two off target shots, crossed five times (two accurate) and created two chances during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Mainz.

Impact Giesselmann was held off the scoresheet as he only lacked end product on Sunday. The wide man finished with team-high totals in shots, crosses and chances created in the draw.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Julian Ryerson - Ties for team-high in shots Ryerson took two off target shots and crossed three times inaccurately during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Mainz.

Impact Ryerson was held off the scoresheet before subbing off in the 82nd minute. The wide man sent in the second highest amount of crosses on the team while tying for the team-high with two shots in the draw.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Frederik Ronnow - Five saves in clean sheet Ronnow kept a clean sheet while making five saves during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Mainz.

Impact Ronnow helped Union earn a point by shutting out Mainz on Sunday. The clean sheet was the first of the season for the keeper while his five saves upped his season total to seven.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Julian Ryerson - Makes lineup Ryerson is listed in the starting lineup for Sunday's match against Mainz.

Impact Ryerson may have taken a knock in the last match against Hertha Berlin but it wasn't enough to keep him out of the lineup long-term. With two starts in two games, Ryerson is doing well early in the season and will hope to avoid more injury issues.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Timo Baumgartl - Still working way into form Baumgartl (match fitness) is not expected to be in the squad against Mainz on Sunday, per Bundesliga.com.

Impact Baumgartl has resumed training with the squad but was unable to go through a full preseason due to testicular cancer. Once back to full match fitness, the defender should be a near-lock for the starting XI considering he featured in all 25 of his appearances last season in which he garnered 59 tackles, 37 interceptions and 56 clearances.

AUGUST 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fabio Schneider - Remains sidelined Schneider (knee) will not be an option against Mainz on Sunday, per Bundesliga.com.

Impact Considering Schneider's status was not mentioned in Union Berlin's pre-match presser, he probably should be considered out indefinitely until the club provides an update. Even once cleared to play, the midfielder will be hard-pressed to break into the starting XI, making him a relative non-factor in fantasy contests.

AUGUST 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dominique Heintz - Misses opener Heintz missed Saturday's 3-1 win over Hertha Berlin due to undisclosed reasons.

Impact Heintz didn't seem to have any issues heading into this match but the manager wasn't sharing much information ahead of the contest and as such nothing came out about his presence. He started in just seven games last season and looks set to remain an option off the bench.

AUGUST 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pefok scores on Bundesliga debut as Union beats Hertha 3-1

United States forward Jordan Pefok has scored on his Bundesliga debut to help Union Berlin defeat Hertha Berlin 3-1 in their first league game of the season

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Frederik Ronnow - Two saves for win Ronnow made two saves and one clearance in Saturday's 3-1 win versus Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Ronnow made two saves during Saturday's win on the way to his first win as a starter in the Bundesliga. The keeper is in a golden situation, brought in as a starter for one of the top defensive units in the league. Ronnow should be able to make the most of that, nearly converting the clean sheet in the first match of the season.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Julian Ryerson - Comes off injured Ryerson (undisclosed) came off with an injury and had four shots (two on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-1 win over Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Ryerson came off injured in the second half of Saturday's win. He was replaced by Niko Giesselmann who projects to be ahead of Ryerson in the depth chart long-term either way. Ryerson will hope to recover in time for a Sunday trip to Mainz, though Giesselmann is a likely starter even if Ryerson does recover.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Janik Haberer - Assists Saturday Haberer assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), two crosses (one accurate), and four chances created in Saturday's 3-1 win versus Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Haberer provided one assist on the way to the win Saturday. The midfielder had mostly fallen out of the starting XI for Freiburg when joining Union Berlin but he looks set to be a major part of the team with his new club. Haberer got the start and played 70 minutes on the way to creating four chances, more than he did in 2020 and 2021 combined for Freiburg. Haberer will be hoping to stay in the starting XI during the early portion of the season.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Christopher Trimmel - Assists in opener Trimmel assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal), 12 crosses (one accurate), and five corners in Saturday's 3-1 win over Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Trimmel has already passed his assist total from a weird 2021/22 season. After finishing with eight and nine assists in 2019 and 2020 respectively he failed to get on the board in 2021/22, but looks to have corrected that already. Trimmel is a consistent producer who creates chances in bunches though entering his age-35 season it's unclear what his role will look like with Union Berlin.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Robin Knoche - Nets rare goal Knoche scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 3-1 victory against Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Knoche scored in the opening match of the season, a rare return for the central defender who failed to score in the entirety of the 2021/22 campaign. Knoche may not be a major goal threat but Union Berlin had one of the most impressive defenses last time out and Knoche is a central part of that defense that earned eight clean sheets on the way to a fifth-placed finish.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sheraldo Becker - Scores, assists in win Becker scored one goal and assisted once from three shots and two chances created in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Becker scored and provided an assist to kick-off the 2022/23 campaign. The forward was excellent last time out in the Bundesliga with four goals and six assists. Becker looked to have good cohesion with new man Pefok and will hope to build on this strong showing during a tough early schedule.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jordan Siebatcheu - Nets on debut Pefok scored one goal to go with four shots (two on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 3-1 win over Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Pefok scored his first goal for his new club in his first start in the Bundesliga. The forward joined from Young Boys where he was consistently prolific in the Champions League and Europa League and looks to be fitting in perfectly with Union Berlin. Pefok and Union Berlin are looking for another top half finish after taking home fifth in the 2021/22 campaign.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

USMNT roster watch: Players with most to gain from summer transfers

A number of USMNT players moved during the summer transfer window, but only a select few can boost their World Cup stock, writes Doug McInty...

AUGUST 3, 2022

Timo Baumgartl - Back in training Baumgartl (illness) was pictured in training with Union Berlin on Wednesday.

Impact Baumgartl has been out since April after a testicular tumor was discovered during a check up, but he has returned to the squad now ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga opener. The 26-year-old's exact fitness is unclear at the moment, but he will hope to be able to feature at some point in August. Dominique Heintz is likely to start alongside Robin Knoche and Paul Jaeckel in Union's back-three until Baumgartl's fit enough to return.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fabio Schneider - Set to miss out Saturday Schneider won't be in the match-day squad to face Hertha Berlin on Saturday due to a knee injury, per Bundesliga.com.

Impact Schneider has yet to make his senior debut with Union despite having come up through the club's academy. In his 10 outings with the U19 squad, the midfielder recorded three goals and should at least be a bench option once given the all-clear.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pefok scores on Union Berlin debut, Frankfurt wins in cup

United States forward Jordan Pefok has scored on his debut for Union Berlin to help the team reach the second round of the German Cup

AUGUST 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

MATCHDAY: Frankfurt, Union Berlin face tricky cup games

Eintracht Frankfurt and Union Berlin face potentially tricky opening games in the German Cup

JULY 31, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Timo Baumgartl - Targeting August return Baumgartl (testicular cancer) is eyeing a return to training in August, according to Sebastian Karkos, of BZ-berlin.de.

Impact Baumgartl is targeting a return in August after a testicular tumor was discovered during a routine check up at the end of the 2021/22 season. The defender is a crucial part of the Union Berlin defense when healthy, making 25 starts last time out. Baumgartl is one of three Bundesliga players to have a testicular tumor discovered during the off-season, alongside Marco Richter and Sebastian Haller.

JULY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Frederik Ronnow - Features in friendly Ronnow started during Saturday's friendly against Udinese.

Impact Ronnow only played in seven matches last season but could be in line to start during the coming campaign after Andreas Luthe was moved on to Kaiserslautern. If this comes true, it will be Ronnow's first big chance in the top German division.

JULY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE