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Three Philadelphia Union players have been called up to the U.S. Men's Under-23 National Team for a friendly against Mexico on Feb. 29.
The Philadelphia Union announced the signing of veteran defender Chris Albright earlier today (via Philadelphia Union). Terms of the deal were not disclosed, per league and team policy.
Albright, 33, is a Philly native who has played for D.C. United, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution and the New York Red Bulls over the course of his 13-year career. Albright won MLS Cup titles with D.C. United (1999) and the Galaxy (2002, 2005). He also won 22 caps for the U.S. Men's National Team.
Albright was limited last season by injury and only played in eight matches (six starts) for the Red Bulls. Over the course of his MLS career, Albright has been named an All-Star three times and scored 11 goals and 22 assists. He was also named to MLS' Best XI in 2005.
Albright should provide the Union with necessary depth at the right back spot.
For more coverage of the Union, visit our team page or our blog The Brotherly Game
The Philadelphia Union announced today that they signed Colombian forward Lionard Pajoy. In addition, Philadelphia stated that Pajoy received his visa and will join the team in preseason camp soon. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Pajoy enjoyed the best season of his career in 2011, leading Itagüí Ditaires in scoring with 13 goals and adding three assists in 27 starts. During Colombia's Clausura championship, held in the second half of the calendar year, Pajoy tallied 10 goals in 18 starts. The 30-year-old struck for a hat trick against Real Cartagena on October 1, 2011. (via Philadelphia Union)
Union manager Peter Nowak said about the signing
"He's very physical and very fast," Nowak said. "He can change the game with everything. He's a different option. He's all over the place and very mobile and he can always create something for whoever is gonna play up top with him." (via Philadelphia Union)
The 30-year-old forward has scored 47 times in 215 career appearances.
For more coverage of the Union, visit our team page or our blog The Brotherly Game
Philadelphia Union manager Peter Nowak announced on Feb. 1 that center back Danny Califf will wear the captain's armband this season (via Philadelphia Union). Califf was previously the captain before now departed goaltender Faryd Mondragon joined the club last season. In fact, Califf, Mondragon and Alejandro Moreno are the only three players to wear the armband for the Union. Moreno, who now plays for Chivas USA, filled in during two games that Califf missed in 2010.
Last season when Mondragon was injured, the Union were unbeaten in seven straight games that Califf was wearing the armband.
Nowak said about naming Califf captain once again:
"I think it's a natural thing right now that Danny Califf will take over as captain," Nowak told the media after the team's open training session at YSC Sports. "He was [next in line] behind Faryd when Faryd went down [with a broken finger on Sept. 3], and Danny took over as captain. So we're not going to change anything with that."
Nowak also named guys he had in mind to wear the armband in a potential Califf absence: Carlos Valdes, Brian Carroll, Gabriel Gomez and Sheanon Williams. Everyone on that list is either a defender or a defensive midfielder.
Califf was honored to be the captain again.
"It's an honor obviously, every time you get to slip it over your arm," Califf said in response to his appointment.
The Union begin the 2012 MLS campaign against the Timbers on March 12.
For more coverage of the Union, visit our team page or our blog The Brotherly Game
The Philadelphia Union announced that they completed the transfer of midfielder Roger Torres (via Philadelphia Union). Torres has been on loan from the Colombian side América de Cali since the 2010 season. Terms of the deal were not discussed, per league and team policy.
Union manager Peter Nowak said about Torres
"We're very happy to keep Roger in Philadelphia and see the benefits of the investment we've made in him," said Union manager Peter Nowak. "Roger has shown the ability to be a valuable playmaker and we look forward to helping him continue his development."
Torres is glad to be back with the club
"I'm thrilled to remain in Philadelphia, where I've become comfortable with my teammates and the coaching staff," Torres said. "I love to play in front of our fans at PPL Park and will continue working hard so I can help the team reach its goals."
Torres has made 19 starts and 46 appearances for the Union. He scored all three of his goals last season. Torres also has eight assists. The Union's 2012 campaign begins March 12 against the Portland Timbers.
For more coverage of the Union, visit our team page or our blog The Brotherly Game
The Philadelphia Union have reportedly struck a deal to send Sebastien Le Toux, the club's all time leading scorer, to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Le Toux himself has confirmed the deal on twitter. The Union will receive a sum of allocation money return. Le Toux reacted to the news saying it was his "saddest day in his Philadelphia Union story."
Just got traded to Vancouver !Saddest day for me in my Philadelphia Union story.... Still can't believe it
— Sebastien Le Toux (@SebastienLeToux) January 31, 2012
Union fans were breathing a sigh of relief over the weekend when reports broke that Le Toux's possible transfer to the Bolton Wanderers of the English Premier League fell through and it appeared as the club's most popular player and prolific scorer would remain in Philly. Now, he's gone and so far there aren't a whole lot of explanations as to why. Union boss Peter Nowak said only that the team was looking to "invest in the future."
"We wanted to invest in the future," said Nowak. "We have a very good foundation with youth pieces here. We want to keep the group intact and we think this [decision] will make them even stronger. With our resources we have, we'll reinvest in our youth.
"If you want to keep a sustainable, competitive advantage, then you have to create the room," Nowak added. "We don't have the NBA's luxury tax or salary cap, where you can blow the team out of proportion."
One reason may have been that the team completed the permanent transfer of Colombian Roger Torres, who had previously been on loan. The 20 year old Torres says he's "thrilled" to be a permanent member of the Union.
"I'm thrilled to remain in Philadelphia, where I've become comfortable with my teammates and the coaching staff," Torres said in a press release. "I love to play in front of our fans at PPL Park and will continue working hard so I can help the team reach its goals."
In two seasons with the Union Le Toux scored 25 goals and recorded 20 assists in his two seasons with the Union.
For more reaction, check out our Union blog The Brotherly Game.
The Philadelphia Union officially opened their 2012 preseason camp on Jan. 25 (via Philadelphia Union).
However, the team won't jump straight into soccer oriented training. The players are expected to keep in shape during the offseason but the Union will ease into what will be seven weeks of preseason training.
The club will begin by conducting entrance physicals on Wednesday night, followed by concussion and Omegawave testing - a system that monitors players' biological systems and provides a picture of how they respond to the physical and mental stress of training - on Thursday. Friday will consist of fitness testing, including vertical leap assessment and the Beep Test, which measures endurance.
The first full training session will not take place until next Monday. The Union will travel to Orlando to train from Feb. 5-19 as part of their sponsorship deal with Bimbo Bakeries USA. As part of the trip, Philadelphia will play USL Pro side Orlando City on Feb. 18 at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The Union begin their 2012 MLS season on the road against the Portland Timbers on March 12.
For more coverage of the Union, visit our team page or our blog The Brotherly Game.
Union's Freddy Adu, Jack McInerney, Amobi Okugo Called Up To U-23 National Team For Mexico Friendly
Three Philadelphia Union players have been called up to the U.S. Men's Under-23 National Team for a friendly against Mexico on Feb. 29.
Freddy Adu, Jack McInerney and Amobi Okugo were called up by coach Caleb Porter for the 10-day training camp which starts on Feb. 19 and ends with the Mexico friendly on the 29th at 10 p.m. at FC Dallas Stadium (TV: Univision). Besides the Mexico match, the U-23 squad will also face FC Dallas from MLS on Feb. 22 and the San Antonio Scorpions, an NASL side, on Feb. 24.
This will be the fourth camp held by the U-23 National Team in preparation for the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament (March 22-26) which will be held in Nashville with games played at LP Field. The two finalists in the tournament will qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
Here's is the complete roster called up by Porter:GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)
DEFENDERS (7): Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Ike Opara (San Jose Earthquakes), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo), Zarek Valentin (Montreal Impact), Jorge Villafaña (Chivas USA)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (Gent), Dilly Duka (Columbus Crew), Jared Jeffrey (Mainz), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union), Michael Stephens (LA Galaxy)
FORWARDS (8): Freddy Adu (Philadelphia Union), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Tony Taylor (Estoril Praia)
For more coverage of the Union, visit our team page or our blog The Brotherly Game
Feb 16 5:01p by Pat Johnston