Dave Zeitlin recalls that when Philadelphia Union CEO and operating partner Nick Sakiewicz hired Peter Nowak as head coach three years ago, he said Nowak was his "first, second and third choice" to lead the club and that he "fits the market and fits our organization."

At some point in the eight months since then, however, that sentiment began to change. Sakiewicz said Nowak has been let go because of “philosophical differences.”

“At some point, you wake up in the morning and you realize this isn’t quite the way you want the Union brand represented,” Sakiewicz said. “I’m not a wine connoisseur, but I know what good wine tastes like. When I sipped the wine recently, it didn’t taste so good. ...

“Make no mistake, this is not about wins and losses or our performance as a team. We have a very good team. We have very good players. This is more about philosophical differences about the way [owner Jay Sugarman] and I envisioned this club. Sometimes that happens – the head coach and ownership aren’t on the same page. That’s why I felt it was really important to make the change and give John [Hackworth] the opportunity.”

“This badge,” Sakiewicz added, tapping the Union crest on his jacket, right above his heart, “will always come first."