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Noone impresses at Union training camp in Mexico

News is scarce coming out of Guadalajara, Mexico, where the Philadelphia Union continues training camp for its inaugural Major League Soccer season. But the recent play of camp invitee JT Noone, a former Temple All-America, is no secret.

Union coach Peter Nowak said former Temple star J.T. Noone is "a very possible candidate" to make the team. (File photo)
Union coach Peter Nowak said former Temple star J.T. Noone is "a very possible candidate" to make the team. (File photo)Read more

News is scarce coming out of Guadalajara, Mexico, where the Philadelphia Union continues training camp for its inaugural Major League Soccer season. But the recent play of camp invitee JT Noone, a former Temple All-America, is no secret.

Union manager Peter Nowak and his contingent have been accessible only by e-mail request and conference call. Nowak admitted yesterday via teleconference that his team is "cut off from the outside world."

"In Mexico, it's more mental; the guys are out of their comfort zone," Nowak said. "There is no Internet, or other outlets. It's just soccer, 24-7. But being together and interacting [with each other] has been the best for us so far."

That interaction apparently bodes well for Noone, the undrafted forward who also played for the Ocean City (N.J.) Barons of the Premier Development League (PDL). In the Union's pair of scrimmages in Mexico, Noone has a goal and an assist and is quickly earning the respect of coaches and teammates, according to Nowak.

Given his status as a trainee, Noone, per league policy, was unavailable for comment, but Nowak spoke at length about his potential.

"He is a very possible candidate [for making our roster]; he can play at striker and at right midfield," Nowak said. "We still need to push him on the tactical part [of his game] and he needs to get the ball off his feet faster, but as a coaching staff we have been pleasantly surprised."

Should he not make Nowak's 24-man roster (18 dress), Noone has a viable chance of being placed on one of the Union's two developmental squads from the United Soccer Leagues: USL-1 affiliate Reading United A.C. or USL-2 side Harrisburg, a team the Union added to its family earlier this week.

"I don't consider it a bad thing to have a player in the developmental leagues," Nowak said. "To me, it's all about learning. As far as JT is concerned, [if it doesn't work out] we will talk to him about joining our team in the future."

Coming home

The Union returns to Philadelphia tomorrow and will have nearly a week off before departing for Tampa, Fla., on March 11 - the final phase of training camp. In Tampa, the team will play MLS side FC Dallas (March 14) and the USL's Tampa Bay Rowdies (March 19). Both games are at the University of Tampa's Pepin Stadium.

5 minutes with Fred

The Daily News picked the brain of Brazilian midfielder Fred about camp, life in Mexico and the newborn daughter he has seen very little of since his acquistion from D.C. United:

Daily News: How comfortable are you playing in Peter's system? Does it pose any challenges to your style or has the transition been seamless?

Fred: I feel very comfortable because this is my original position. When I was in D.C., I played 3 years in the wrong position [more defensively], which was frustrating at times. Here, I have the chance to go back to my original place on the field. Playing there allows me to feel more comfortable because I can feel the team.

DN: Subsequently, how have you been utilized? Are you used more as an attacking mid or are you given opportunities to roam?

Fred: I'm back to playing attacking midfielder, and I also have the freedom to move around the field. But of course, I need to defend as well, like everybody else on the team, because the MLS is a very tough league to play in.

DN: You recently became the father of a baby girl. Has it been tough to focus on both soccer and the welfare of your daughter?

Fred: It's been a little difficult of course, but this is a job. I have to focus and concentrate while I'm at training camp. I'm happy now because my wife and daughter are in D.C., so it's only 2 more days here in Mexico, and then I'll get to see them and spend some time with them before we head to Tampa.