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New Union defender happy to be back in Philly

Defender Chris Albright has been a longtime Major League Soccer starter, a three-time all-star, and a three-time champion, so the Penn Charter graduate has pretty much done it all during his career.

Penn Charter grad Chris Albright (right) signed with the Union on Monday. (AP Photo/ Kevork Djansezian )
Penn Charter grad Chris Albright (right) signed with the Union on Monday. (AP Photo/ Kevork Djansezian )Read more

Defender Chris Albright has been a longtime Major League Soccer starter, a three-time all-star, and a three-time champion, so the Penn Charter graduate has pretty much done it all during his career.

Now the Philadelphia native is getting the chance at another first - coming home.

Albright, who signed Monday as a free agent with the Union, is ecstatic that the latest of the five MLS teams he has played for is in his backyard.

"It's always been a dream of mine, obviously, to come home and play, but the timing was right at this point and it made sense for myself and, more importantly, the organization," Albright said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters. "The timing just worked out, and I am thrilled."

Albright became a free agent when the New York Red Bulls did not pick up the option on his contract. He said he had other choices, but this is the one he preferred.

The 33-year-old Albright, who has 22 caps with the U.S. national team, is well past his all-star days, but he brings valuable experience to the Union.

He isn't expected to be a starter. Danny Califf and Carlos Valdes are the central defenders, and Sheanon Williams and newcomer Porfirio Lopez are expected to be the outside backs. Yet with a 34-game MLS season, plus the possibility of a player such as Williams moving up to the midfield, Albright could find his way into the lineup.

Albright, who has started 195 of 225 career regular-season games in 13 MLS seasons, understands the situation.

"I am at the point now where I want to win and I am excited that I can try to do that with my hometown team," he said. "If that means coming off the bench or working with the young players with the reserve team and try to better the whole group any way I can, I am willing to take on any role."

Last year, Albright had an injury-plagued season with the Red Bulls, appearing in just eight games and making six starts.

He was an all-star from 2004 through 2006 with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He won MLS titles in 2002 and 2005 with the Galaxy and in 1999 with D.C. United.

Albright has been training in Florida with the Union, whose third MLS season begins March 12 in Portland.