Philadelphia Union hire Alejandro Moreno as new color analyst for local television broadcasts
The MLS veteran will join J.P. Dellacamera, who returns for another season as the Union's play-by-play voice.
Philadelphia Union hire Alejandro Moreno as new color analyst for local television broadcasts
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
Former Philadelphia Union forward Alejandro Moreno has been hired to replace Bob Rigby as the color analyst on the team's local television broadcasts. He will join J.P. Dellacamera, who returns for another season as the team's play-by-play voice.
Moreno played for the Union in 2010, the team's inaugural season, and was on six different Major League Soccer teams in his 11-year playing career. He played in 272 games over that span, primarily as a forward, and also made 41 appearances for Venezuela's national team.
The 33-year-old spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons with Chivas USA, and was released by the team at the end of the season. Moreno began working in television during the 2011 MLS playoffs, when ESPN hired him as a studio analyst. He reprised that role last year.
This year, ESPN promoted Moreno to live game commentary, proving color analysis for English-language broadcasts of Mexican national team games.
In addition to Dellacamera and Moreno calling games, Union broadcasts will have a 30-minute pregame show hosted by Tony Limarzi and Peter Pappas. They'll also host the halftime show during home games. Last year, Limarzi and Pappas - who's familiar to many Philadelphia-area soccer fans from his time with the Kixx - worked as the team's radio broadcast crew.
Union academy director Ian Munro, a veteran of the Scottish league who won seven national team caps, will also make some appearances on the pregame and halftime shows.
The introduction of Moreno to the Union's broadcast crew came at the same time as the team's announcement of its local television broadcast schedule for the season. You can get the details here.
Happy to have Alejandro back. He's smart, knowledgeable and articulate.— Yo-Joe- Heard rumor merrill reese was gonna do union games since he is big fan— phillysportsfamily
- Hope Moreno is better in the booth than when he was in a Union kit. Rigby is a nice guy, but is no color analyst. Love Merrill Reese but he isn't going to come to the Union!— crumblinggeorge
Reach Jonathan at jtannenwald@phillynews.com or 215-854-2330.
