Defender Danny Califf appears headed for Philadelphia Union, according to Soccer365.com.
The 29-year-old fringe U.S. international will cut short his contract with FC Midjylland in Denmark to move to the Union, according to Soccer365. Califf confirmed only that he is leaving Denmark for Major League Soccer, and Soccer365 cited an anonymous source saying the Houston Dynamo, who hold Califf’s rights, would trade him to Philadelphia.
Califf captained Aalborg to a league title and UEFA Champions League appearance in 2007-2008 two years ago, but he has struggled to keep a regular starting spot recently with Midjylland. He last played in MLS with the San Jose Earthquakes, which is why Houston – who moved from San Jose – hold his rights.
Houston is one of the only teams that didn’t see the Union pick one of their players, so if the deal goes through, it may be that Philadelphia agreed to leave Houston’s players alone in consideration for a Califf deal. Califf would appear to slot in at center back with Shavar Thomas, indicating Union manager Peter Nowak may not go with a regular 3-5-2 formation, as some suspect.
Califf has 23 caps for the U.S. national team. He has been on the outside looking in recently, and he was upfront in telling Soccer365 that the need for regular playing time in order to make the World Cup roster is part of what’s motivating his departure from the Danish league. The move could help him if Oguchi Onyewu can’t return from his injury in time. With Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit likely assured roster spots, there’s not much room for more center backs on the roster. If Onyewu is healthy, Chad Marshall of the Columbus Crew probably has the inside track on the fourth slot. If Onyewu is out, that leaves Jimmy Conrad, Clarence Goodson, Michael Parkhurst and probably Califf competing for a fourth central defender spot, unless national team coach Bob Bradley goes with five, due to Bocanegra’s ability to also play left back.
What do you think of Califf signing for the Union? Good move? Will you only believe it (and any of the speculated Union acquisitions) when you’ll see it? Weigh in below in the Comments section.
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