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McInerney on the national team would affect the Union

Union team manager John Hackworth opened his press conference Wednesday saying that he wasn't going to comment on the fact that Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl reported that forward Jack McInerney has earned a spot on the final 23-man roster for next month's Gold Cup.

If Jack McInerney sees action in the Gold Cup, he would be the first active Union player in the team's four-year history to compete for the senior U.S. national squad. (Ron Cortes/Staff file photo)
If Jack McInerney sees action in the Gold Cup, he would be the first active Union player in the team's four-year history to compete for the senior U.S. national squad. (Ron Cortes/Staff file photo)Read more

Union team manager John Hackworth opened his press conference Wednesday saying that he wasn't going to comment on the fact that Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl reported that forward Jack McInerney has earned a spot on the final 23-man roster for next month's Gold Cup.

"I have seen the report from Sports Illustrated and Grant Wahl on Jack McInerney, and I am not going to talk about that today," Hackworth said. "That has not been confirmed to me at all, and I won't address it."

The news was confirmed Thursday morning by the U.S. Soccer Federation.

If the 20-year-old McInerney sees action in the Gold Cup, he would be the first active Union player in the team's four-year history to compete for the senior U.S. national squad. The Gold Cup will be staged July 6-28 in 13 U.S. venues.

Later in the press conference, Hackworth was asked, if McInerney were named, what would it mean to the franchise?

"I think it would be great," Hackworth said. "We talk all the time in our locker room about the fact that if anybody gets individual accolades or honors, that is a reflection of every single person in the room, coaches, players support staff. So it would be important and a big step for us."

McInerney is tied for the most goals in Major League Soccer, with 10.

"It would also be challenging because we would be losing the leading goal scorer in the league and having a tough stretch of games in front of us," Hackworth said. "I am confident those guys are ready to step up and seize the opportunity."

The Union have already lost midfielder Keon Daniel, who was named to the Trinidad & Tobago team. Daniels left after the Union's 3-0 win on Sunday over the visiting New York Red Bulls to join that national team.

McInerney will definitely play for the Union in Saturday's crucial game at PPL Park against FC Dallas.

By Saturday, Hackworth and the team will be able to officially address McInerney's appointment.