Union's Curtin praises Barnetta, who will exit at season's end
After the Union announced Tuesday that midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta would not return when his contract expires at the end of this Major League Soccer season, coach Jim Curtin had the highest of praise for the three-time World Cup selection from Switzerland.
After the Union announced Tuesday that midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta would not return when his contract expires at the end of this Major League Soccer season, coach Jim Curtin had the highest of praise for the three-time World Cup selection from Switzerland.
"I can't say enough good words about him," Curtin said before the team's training session. "Pedigree-wise he is the best player the Philadelphia Union has ever had."
The Union are in their seventh season.
Barnetta, 31, signed an 18-month contract with the Union in July 2015. He said Tuesday that he was returning to FC St. Gallen, where he began his professional career.
"It was just a hard decision because it was always my dream to go back and play for my team where everything started," Barnetta said in an interview before training.
Barnetta's salary this season is $687,500, according to MLS Players Union figures, but Curtin said money was not a factor in the player's decision.
"Tranquil is not about money," Curtin said. "When Tranquil was signed, he was very adamant on taking an 18-month deal, which was shocking to us because we had a much longer-term deal on the table and it was guaranteed money."
Barnetta said playing for the Union and in MLS exceeded his expectations.
"It was even better," he said. "I didn't know what really to expect because this was kind of new and everything went so great and I had a great experience and I would always do the same decision again."
This season, Barnetta has been among the most important players on the team. He has five goals and four assists in 26 games for the 11-11-9 Union, who are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The top six make the playoffs, and the Union have three regular-season games left.
Barnetta, who missed a 1-1 draw in Toronto on Saturday with a knee injury, says he hoped to be available Saturday against the Red Bulls in New York, but it's too early to tell.
He sent a letter to Union fans Tuesday, expressing his appreciation for their support.
"I always tried to have good connection with the fans, but here it was really special because I am not from the area, but they still supported me every single time and that is a big thing," he said. "I will miss them for sure and try even more the last games here with the Union."
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