The Philadelphia Union announced on Friday afternoon the signing of goalkeeper Kerry “Chase” Harrison. Harrison joins the Union from the Harrisburg City Islanders.

The signing comes after news of the concussion suffered by Union back-up goalkeeper Thorne Holder during a reserve league match against Columbus Crew on Sunday. It was Holder’s second concussion of the 2011 season. With Faryd Mondragon out with a broken finger, Holder’s injury left only Zac MacMath on the Union’s goalkeeper list.

Tweets from the USL earlier in the week announced that Harrison was training with the Union.

Harrison originally played for the City Islanders in the 2009 season, earning eight shutouts and finishing with an 8-4-4 record and a 0.81 GAA, and was named USL-2 GAA Champion and All-League Second-Team goalkeeper. In the 2011 season, the goalkeeper registered a total five shutouts in goal earning a 1.3 GAA and an 8-6-6 record and helped lead the team to the USL PRO Championship Final.

In 2010, Harrison played for Crystal Palace Baltimore as well as the Richmond Kickers. The goalkeeper was called up by DC United to replace back up starter Troy Perkins at the end of the MLS regular season in 2010 before signing on with the Columbus Crew for their run in the playoffs.

A graduate of Virginia Tech, Harrison first joined MLS in 2006 when he was drafted by Real Salt Lake in the third round of the Supplemental Draft.  Harrison spent the majority of his time with RSL on loan to USL-First Division clubs, first with the Virginia Beach Mariners in 2006 and then with Rochester Rhinos in 2007.  As a starter for the Rhinos he had a 7-5-6 record with a 1.28 GAA.  In 2008, Harrison was traded to the Portland Timbers where he earned a 1-5-0 record and a 1.76 GAA.

Harrison played his college soccer with Virginia Tech, recording 24 career shutouts, eight in a single season during his senior year, as well as a 1.12 GAA.