Photo: Courtesy of Harrisburg City Islanders
Philadelphia Union announced on Tuesday the signing of central defender Ken Tribbett.
With his signing to the Union, Tribbett’s contract with Bethlehem Steel FC has been terminated.
Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart said in a statement, “We have always valued Ken’s ability and potential, which was a prime reason we were so adamant to keep him within our organization. However, once camp started, Ken displayed a next level in his game and it became evident he needed to be a permanent fixture with our first team. We’re delighted with his progress and we believe in his ability to make an impact for our club this year.”
Before signing with Bethlehem Steel, Tribbett played in 2015 for then Union-affiliate Harrisburg City Islanders where he was a finalist for USL Rookie of the Year, making 28 starts and scoring three goals. Before that, Tribbett was a four-year starter at Drexel University. While with Drexel, the 23 year old played for Ocean City Nor’easters (2013) and Michigan Bucks (2014) in the PDL.
With Tribbett’s signing, the Union roster now looks like this:
GK (3): Andre Blake (GA), John McCarthy, Matt Jones
DEF (8): Anderson Conceicao (INT’L), Fabinho, Raymon Gaddis, Richie Marquez, Keegan Rosenberry, Ken Tribbett, Taylor Washington, Joshua Yaro (GA/INT’L)
MID (12): Roland Alberg (INT’L), Eric Ayuk (INT’L), Tranquillo Barnetta (INT’L), Brian Carroll, Warren Creavalle, Maurice Edu (DP), Leo Fernandes, Sebastien Le Toux, Cole Missimo, Vincent Nogueira (INT’L), Chris Pontius, Walter Restrepo
FWD (2): Fabian Herbers (GA/INT’L), C.J. Sapong
DESIGNATED PLAYERS (DP): 1
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS (HG): 0
INT’L ROSTER SPOTS FILLED (INT’L): 7 (Blake, Fabinho, Jones, and Le Toux have green cards)
GENERATION ADIDAS PLAYERS (GA): 3
Based on his performances so far, this was a no-brainer. It may also mean that Yaro will take his spot in Bethlehem.
Uh-huh. Well deserved.
It would seem so. I’m more than happy they have given him a spot on the senior team. Good for Ken and the team. The commitment to youth continues.
Is there a presser today? Kinkhead is going off with Curtain quotes on twitter. My favorite so far “…at this time, amobi is a great player but not a target.” Whew.
Yeah, I think it was a 1:30 presser? (and thanks for the reminder to check Twitter!)
Thanks! Can’t wait for the PSP recap. I apparently skimmed the first paragraph of newsy news today too quickly…oops my bad.
All 4 : yes indeed.
Thank you too!
Been waiting for this shoe to drop, no surprise. He looked good to me in live streams of City Islanders games last season.
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Those of us who read this blog who are lawyers, am I wrong to read anything into the formality of the language that his contract with BSFC was terminated? That sounds as though there is a strong degree of separation between the two organizations.
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Yes, guilty as charged, I grasp at every wind-blown straw fragment to try to understand how the relationships between the two rosters will work.
Good question. I hope someone has the answer.
I gotta feel like that termination language is more to keep MLS HQ and the Players Union happy that the Union aren’t breaking any rules with the CBA or salary cap.
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Happy to see Tribbett get signed. He’s played well so far and it’s always nice to have a fellow Dragon in the side.