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Union nab Jeff Parke

Philly native traded to Union from Seattle for cash and draft pick

Philadelphia Union announced today the acquisition of defender Jeff Parke from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for allocation money and a first round pick in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

“We are excited to have Jeff join our team.”, said team manager John Hackworth. “He is one of the top center backs in the League. His character and experiences as both a person and a player will definitely be welcomed in our locker room.”

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...der-jeff-parke

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Casey coming to Philly

Colorado's all-time scorer comes to Philly for "fresh start"

It wasn’t that long ago when Conor Casey was the “it” guy in Major League Soccer. There was a time in where Casey’s name (and goals being scored at a high rate) were synonymous.

On Friday, the Union selected the former Colorado Rapids forwards with the No. 5 pick in stage two of MLS' re-entry draft in the hopes that finally Philly has the big man on attack it's always yearned for.

Casey had three consecutive seasons (2008-10) where his goal count ended in double digits, with arguably his best season arriving in 2009, when he finished the season with 16 goals in just 24 regular season appearances. The following year, Casey netted 15 more in both MLS regular season play and the playoffs, leading Colorado to its first ever MLS Cup title, in which he was named the MVP. It was the Rapids first appearance in an MLS Cup since 1997, and Casey was instrumental in leading the charge

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...-can-we-expect

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Newest recruits
Trade No. 29 pick to RSL, nab Okai and two Supplemental picks


INDIANAPOLIS – The Philadelphia Union selected forward Don Anding and Stephen Okai with the No. 26 and No. 31 pick in the MLS SuperDraft inside the ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center. The Union was originally scheduled to select with the No. 26 and No. 29 picks, but traded away its 29th spot to Real Salt Lake, for the No. 31 selection, in addition to two first round selections (No. 12 and No. 17) in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft next week.

Anding, 21, a senior forward from Northeastern University, was a 2012 College Player of the Year semifinalist and an NSCAA third team All-American. A native of Amity Harbor, N.Y., Anding was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year in his junior season (2011) and was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 2009. Anding is considered by scouts to have great speed but Union manager John Hackworth feels his strength is his versatility.

Don Anding bio and video
http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/don-anding

Stephen Okai bio
http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/stephen-okai

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Salary-cap issues & difference of opinion lead to Union's decision on Adu


WAYNE, Pa. – At some point during this past offseason, Philadelphia Union manager John Hackworth presented Freddy Adu with a clear-cut choice: renegotiate your pricey contract or don’t come back for the 2013 season.

Adu opted for the latter, thereby ending his rocky tenure with the Union after one-and-a-half years. The onetime MLS prodigy is now being shopped to other clubs around the world, according to Hackworth.

“Basically what happened was we presented Freddy with a couple of scenarios that we would feel comfortable with bringing him back,” the Union manager told a group of reporters following the team’s open training session Monday. “Freddy came back and said, ‘Hey I’m going to stick with my current situation and play under the current [contract].’ We made it very clear that was his choice and he has that option. He’s under contract with us. But if he made that choice, then he wasn’t going to be coming back as part of the team.”

While the financials were the driving force behind the divorce – “he’s on a long-term contract that makes it hard for a team in this league with salary cap restrictions,” Hackworth admitted – Adu’s role on the team was another reason why the marriage didn’t last.

Adu made it clear at many points last season that he was unhappy with playing on the wing and constantly being subbed out of the game in the second half. But Hackworth never budged and instead gave the keys of the car to Michael Farfan, who will likely continue to be the club’s top playmaking midfielder in 2013

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...s-decision-adu

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Union expand on partnership
with Harrisburg City Islanders in MLS-USL Pro merger


Another step in improving soccer development in the United States was announced today as MLS announced a massive merger with the United Soccer Leagues’ Professional Division. The deal will see many MLS clubs field its reserves within USL Pro, giving those players more opportunities to get in real game scenarios.

With MLS ‘ old structure reserve players only saw 10 matches a year spaced out over a nine-month stretch. With this format, teams are housed within the USL Pro schedule providing the opportunity for more than double the matches in a competitive league that many MLS teams, like the Union use as a feeder system to the big show.

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...usl-pro-merger

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Philadelphia Union reveal 2013 local television schedule and television talent

ESPN color man Alejandro Moreno joins Union broadcast team

“Local soccer fans can once again count on Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network to provide unparalleled Philadelphia Union coverage, with 20 high definition games and the return of the “State of the Union’ magazine show,” said Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia President Brian Monihan.

The Union’s weekly magazine show entitled “State of the Union,” which airs bi-weekly on Friday nights on The Comcast Network and Comcast SportsNet returns for its third season. Air times are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on The Comcast Network and 11:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet.

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...evision-talent

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2013 Depth Chart: Philadelphia Union

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2013 PHILADELPHIA UNION TERTIARY JERSEY