Oguchi Onyewu has played on 11 clubs in seven countries in a pro career that began in 2002 when he left Clemson, but he has never until now played in MLS. Almost two years since playing hislast game for Charlton Athletic in England, Onyewu, 34, signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Union. Onyewu […]
philadelphia union
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA-Jamaica: Seven MLS players in Reggae Boyz team
Seven MLS players, including 2016 Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake, are in the Jamaican national team for Friday’s international friendly against the USA in Chattanooga, Tenn. The squad alsoincludes three players from the USL. Jamaica did not qualify for the Hexagonal, resulting in the ouster of German Winfried Schaefer as national team coach. Former […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Moves: Union signs Dutch left back Giliano Wijnaldum
Philadelphia has signed a former teammate of Jozy Altidore to augment its back line. Giliano Wijnaldum comes to MLS from Bundesliga 2 club Bochum after playing for severalclubs in his home country, the Netherlands, including AZ Alkmaar, which counts among its former employees Altidore as well as sporting director Earnie Stewart. Wijnaldum, a former Dutch […]
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MLS Rosters: Who's in and who's out for 2017
The Philadelphia Union signed New York Red Bulls academy product Adam Najem, whostarred at the University of Akron, to a Homegrown contract after acquiring his rights from the Red Bulls for a second-round pick in the 2018 SuperDraft. Atlanta United 2017 Roster (27 players): GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Middlesbrough/ENG, Free Agent), Alec Kann (Sporting KC, […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
MLS Positional Awards: Bingham takes top goalkeeping spot
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) It was a strange year for goalkeepers in MLS. Colorado conceded the fewestgoals with two keepers splitting time right down the middle and the keeper that had backstopped Portland to the 2015 MLS Cup title, Adam Kwarasey, left the league. Several teams,such as New York City FC, were strong in […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
MLS Positional Rankings: TFC duo heads the pack at outside back
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) MLS teams don’t spend much on outside backs. They’ve been only marginallyaffected by increases in the salary cap, none are Designated Players permitted per team, and no team has yet spent any Targeted Allocation Money to sign one. The ideal outside back cantrack and tackle tenaciously, effectively protect the back […]
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MLS Moves: Davies signs new deal with Union
Charlie Davies will be back in Philly next season. Traded by New England to the Union in August less than a week after announcing his cancer was in remission, Davies played just 81minutes in eight appearances before his contract expired at the end of the season. He and the Union, which traded general allocation money, […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
MLS Positional Rankings: Birnbaum and Van Damme command the centerback slots
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) The three-man back line is gaining favor in MLS as well as around the world, but the standardfour-back system prevails. Occasionally, a player will toggle between the central slots, but most players and coaches prefer to establish one side as their own. Steve Birnbaum hasplayed well enough to earn callups to […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Jim Curtin
“I think others have their eyes set on bringing in the DPs and the elite players. I want players to come through the Philadelphia Union and play for the United States national team. Because at the endof the day, this country and this game will only grow if our national team is great. Not good, […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Moves: Whitecaps acquire Sheanon Williams
Veteran right back Sheanon Williams has been traded to Vancouver by Houston. The Dynamo received general allocation money for Williams, 26, who has played 192 games in allcompetitions for Houston and Philadelphia since starting his MLS career in 2010. He joined Philly after a brief stint in the USL with Harrisburg City Islanders. In league action he’s […]