Photo: Earl Gardner
He was the Philadelphia Union’s first-ever draft pick, and now he is a member of the Portland Timbers.
In the latest installment of the KYW Philly Soccer Show podcast, co-hosts Greg Orlandini of KYW NewsRadio and PSP’s Eli Pearlman-Storch are joined by Kerith Gabriel, Philadelphia Daily News Union beat reporter and co-host of 610 WIP’s The 90th Minute,to break down the trade of forward Danny Mwanga.
Mwanga had seen his playing time fluctuate since last season as he struggled to find his place in a crowded field of forwards.
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In part two, Greg, Eli and Kerith discuss the Union’s possible targets in the upcoming summer transfer window, which opens on June 27.
One name being thrown around is defender Carlos Bocanegra, who is coming off a long European career with stints in England, France, and Scotland, and is the current captain of the US National Team.
The pod also look at one positive with the team: the Union are in the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup, with a win over DC United on Tuesday night. This sets up a match on June 26th at PPL Park against the Harrisburg City Islanders.
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Hey – this is a fan from Portland. I’ve followed Philly due to Danny Mwanga. I am just listening to your broadcast on Danny/Jorge trade. Really fun to listen to. Truly astute comments form you although the fellow on the phone is struggling to make sense). Jorge is not a bad trade, but I think you will be disappointed, for many of the reasons you cite on your show. His basic attribute is speed and he works… but that is about it. He will need support from the staff and that seems unlikely. Something is truly fouled up with the overall management of the Union.
But the main thing – I appreciate many of the nice things you say about Danny, it sure seemed like folks there really loved him… and that is a huge incentive for a kid like Danny. Of course, Nowak et al are lost deep deep in a dark forest when it comes to player development.
Timbers have pretty sketchy management as well… but at least they brought Danny home. We are so excited to have him here. He will have such fan support, he’ll get time on the field, he will score goals.
I’ll still root for Union, except when they play Timbers..
Kimo
Thank you for listening. Danny being the first ever pick, and being a pretty good guy, made a lot of people connect with him. How a team can’t develop a guy with us talent and attributes is beyond me.
Good talk. Conclusion= new coach.