Union to introduce Colombian stars today

More than a month since his deal was reported, Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon is expected to be one of two newcomers the Union is scheduled to introduce this afternoon at a Center City watering hole.

In fact, the announcement has taken so long, the event will take place at Fado Irish Pub (1500 Locust) perhaps because Union brass could use a drink after the diligence required to draw the 39-year-old to Philadelphia.

First reported in the German magazine Kicker, the Daily News confirmed rumors on Dec. 13 that Mondragon had agreed to a contract, pending approval from Major League Soccer. Formerly of German first-division side FC Koln (Cologne), Mondragon was scheduled to arrive via free transfer after the Dec. 20 winter break in the Bundesliga.

However, additional games with Cologne and what a source close to the situation said were immigration issues kept the deal for the 6-2 netminder from being made official sooner, despite being one of the club's worst-kept secrets. With his pedigree, Mondragon could receive the team's first designated player tag, which would make him the highest-paid player on the Union and possibly the highest-paid goalkeeper in MLS. The average starting goalkeeper in MLS earns $125,010, according to the players' union website.

The Colombian connection will continue with the expected introduction today of central defender Carlos Valdez, as well. Valdez, 25, is a 6-1 sweeper who, like Mondragon, is on the Colombian national team. He was the captain for Colombian club Santa Fe. It is unknown how this move will affect current Union captain Danny Califf, normally the team's center fullback.

"We will be announcing some guys next week that will add some serious strength to our back line," Union manager Peter Nowak said last week at the MLS SuperDraft in Baltimore in discussing pending moves. "You have to have stability. You can't have a revolving door, especially in the back. The back needs to be stable, and that's what we are trying to establish during this offseason." *