Photo: Nicolea Stoian

Union says no to White

The Philadelphia Daily News/Philly.com writer Kerith Gabriel is reporting that Haverford School and FC Delco product Jeremiah White has not been invited to travel with the Union for preseason training in Orlando.

“They basically called me 2 days before we were supposed to leave and said they don’t have any more roster spots,” White told the Inquirer. “My agent [Ryan Alexander] told me earlier in the week that this was a team still interested in signing me. So I must say I am a little confused, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I wish the team the best of luck going forward.”

Thirty-three players were at the first week of preseason training competing for thirty roster spots. It is unclear at present if any other players have also not been invited to train in Orlando.

In accordance with league rules, the Union had no comment on the decision.

In an interview with the Philly Soccer Page last February, White said that, “I would love to sign for the Union.” However, financial reasons—as well as a desire to play in the Middle East—led to him signing a six-month contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.

White said in the interview, “I spoke to the coach, and he said he will wait for me.”

With family ties and friends still in the Philadelphia area, White was clearly looking forward to returning home. “When I come home to play in Philadelphia, it’s going to be very special for me,” he told the PSP. “I still have a lot of good years left. When I come home, I’m not looking at it like a guy who is just trying to get a paycheck and make ends meet. I take coming home to play very seriously. I love Philadelphia and when I get there, if they will have me, I will do everything I can for the team to be the best.”

White told the Inquirer, “It’s unfortunate that’s not going to become a reality, but, like I said before, I wish the Union all the best going forward.”

Perlaza to Portland

Yesterday we linked to a story that Colombian forward Jorge Perlaza, linked to the Union since December, was waiting for a work permit.

Apparently, Perlaza has received his work permit, but he isn’t coming to Philadelphia as Soccer By Ives is reporting that Jorge Perlaza, is heading for Portland.

“According to sources within MLS, Portland is set to bring Colombian striker Jorge Perlaza on trial and the Timbers are on the verge of signing the 25-year-old Colombian.

Perlaza had been linked to the Philadelphia Union earlier in the winter, but it is Portland where he is headed. If signed, he would join a strike force that already includes newly-acquired Kenny Cooper, first-round draft pick Darlington Nagbe and USSF Division 2 standouts Eddie Johnson and Bright Dike.”

Oh, well.

More from Cesar Arias

On Monday, we linked to a story from Colombia that said 23-year-old Colombian striker Cesar Arias was in talks with the Union. On Tuesday, the Spanish language edition of Goal.com Arias confirms that talks have been going on with the Union and that, while the talks have been positive, nothing has been agreed. (I’m paraphrasing from two different online translators. You can view one crappy translation here.)