Union re-sign striker Sapong
With the Union practicing in Clearwater, Fla., as they prepare for the March 6 Major League Soccer opener at FC Dallas, a lot is going on both on and off the field.
With the Union practicing in Clearwater, Fla., as they prepare for the March 6 Major League Soccer opener at FC Dallas, a lot is going on both on and off the field.
The team announced Wednesday that it has signed forward C.J. Sapong to a three-year contract. Sapong, who led the Union with nine goals last season in his first year with the team, had been signed through 2016.
Essentially, as a team spokesman explained, the old contract was torn up, and this is a new three-year deal.
No terms were disclosed, but last season, according to MLS Players Association figures, Sapong earned a guaranteed $142,000.
"We're very happy to lock him up for a little while, and it gives him peace of mind, and confidence goes a long way with a striker," Union coach Jim Curtin said during a conference call.
Curtin weighed in on a number of other issues, too.
He said that there is good competition at most spots. One interesting position is center back, where he named No. 2 overall SuperDraft pick Joshua Yaro, along with holdover Richie Marquez, Brazilian Anderson Conceicao, and a surprising fourth name, Ken Tribbett, as candidates for the two starting spots. Tribbett was signed by the Union's USL affiliate Bethlehem Steel.
Maurice Edu, still recovering from offseason sports hernia surgery, is rehabilitating in Philadelphia, but Curtin expects him to join the team in the next phase of preseason, which will begin Tuesday.
While Sapong is the obvious starter up top in the Union's 4-2-3-1 system, Curtin said he is also high on Fabian Herbers, the No. 6 overall selection from Creighton.
Striker Maazou Moussa, who was a trialist with the Union, is no longer with the team.
Highly regarded Brazilian midfielder Ilsinho remains on trial with the Union and has obviously impressed Curtin. He will play in an exhibition match Thursday against the Chicago Fire. "He is a very creative player," Curtin said.
Goalkeeper Matt Jones, recently acquired on loan from Portugal's Belenenses, was brought in to challenge for the backup position. Curtin reiterated that Andre Blake is the No. 1 and that Jones and John McCarthy will be battling to back him up.
Recently signed Dutch midfielder Roland Alberg has impressed Curtin. "He is a very talented player who can score a goal from midfield and can shoot from distance," Curtin said.
Alberg, according to Curtin, is back in Holland, taking care of paperwork, but is expected to rejoin the team next week.
Curtin said that midfielder Chris Pontius, acquired in the offseason from DC United, has looked extremely sharp, scoring a number of key goals in training.
The Union will return to Philadelphia on Friday and travel back to Clearwater Tuesday for the second phase of their training camp.
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