Photo: Earl Gardner
In his weekly press conference on Wednesday, Jim Curtin confirmed Philadelphia Union have acquired 29-year-old US men’s national team midfielder Alejandro Bedoya from Ligue 1-side FC Nantes.
“He’s a special player,” Curtin said, “one who will be with us for a while.”
Curtin said Bedoya, who has signed as a designated player, will arrive from France to join the team before the weekend.
In the official announcement of the acquisition, Earnie Stewart said, “We have laid out very specific goals for our club this season and Alejandro adds the type of quality that can instantly guide us in achieving them. He’s a tremendous player in the prime of his career and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the club.”
The announcement also said, “The Union acquired Bedoya via the Allocation Process after the club secured the #1 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order in a trade with the Chicago Fire.”
An announcement on the Nantes website earlier on Wednesday morning said, “the US international has chosen to give a new direction to his career…participating in the Major League Soccer championship with the franchise Philadelphia Union.” The announcement noted Bedoya “won a place in the hearts of fans” of Nantes since joining the club in 2013.
A native of New Jersey, Bedoya moved with his family to Florida at the age of 10. Rather than enter the MLS SuperDraft, Bedoya signed with Swedish club Örebro SK in January of 2009, going on to make 65 appearances for the club and scoring 8 goals before moving to Scottish Premier League side Rangers in 2011. After one season with the club — which had entered administration and with whom he scored one goal over 12 appearances and was a teammate of Maurice Edu — Bedoya moved to Swedish-side Helsingborgs IF for one season. There he scored 6 goals over 21 appearances. In August of 2013, the midfielder joined newly promoted Ligue 1 side Nantes, with whom he had 77 appearances, scoring 10 goals.
Bedoya earned his first senior cap for the US in a friendly against Honduras on January 23, 2010. While not making the cut for the 2010 World Cup, Bedoya appeared in all four games the US played at the 2014 World Cup. To date he has 53 appearances for the national team, with 2 goals scored.
News of the move to the Union was first reported by ESPN on Monday night, with Bedoya reportedly costing the Union a $1 million transfer fee and a salary “between $750,000 to $850,000.” A later report said that Chicago Fire, who had the top spot in the Allocation Order ahead of the Union’s No. 2 spot, was offering a rival bid for the midfielder. An ESPN report on Wednesday morning before the official Union announcement said said Bedoya would earn $1 million per year and that Chicago received General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money, a future first round pick, and discovery rights on an unnamed player in exchange for the top spot in the MLS allocation order.
The Union originally tried to sign Bedoya last summer. While Bedoya reportedly “agreed to a contract in principle” with the Union, Nantes backed out of the deal. According to the report, the 2015 deal would have cost the Union a $1 million transfer fee with Bedoya making $1.2 million per year. If a report that Chicago received $175,000 in total allocation money between GAM and TAM (later described as $100,000 in GAM and $75,000 in TAM), then the Union put out about as much money in landing Bedoya this year as they would have put out last year.
Signing talent is rarely a bad thing.
So I guess the Union didn’t get the returning national team player treatment that other teams have gotten.
He’s not returning though. Never played in MLS. It’s a stupid rule though. Allocation Order is useless and needs to go.
Signing talent is rarely a bad thing….as mentioned above… but im a bit unsure how I feel about this.
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Yeah….I guess.
Agree, spending that kind of cash on a CDM, striker, Or an LB……I get. But another attacking mid? I’d even understand a CB…….this doesn’t seem like money ball.
Maybe they feel he can play the #8 role? Or he takes over for Ilsinho or Barnetta next year in more of an attacking role.
I was wondering the same about the #8 role……..
Well, let’s look at this from a marketing perspective then. Instantly, bedoya becomes the most recognizable name on our team (at least to American fans, who comprise the vast majority) and should increase national exposure (more fox and espn games possibly?), Shirt sales, etc. From that standpoint, it’s a good move for a great player in his prime that even if he isn’t an immediate solution to our on field problems, hes an excellent addition to the union “brand”
I hear you, but spending major ducketts on name recognition really wasn’t what the plan was…..was it?
There is minimal name recognition. Ask around to people who casually watch MLS or the USMNT. See how familiar they are with Bedoya or his play with the USMNT or Nantes.
Enough soccer name recognition to help fill 18,000 seats. Dude has been part of JK’s 11 or close enough since he’s been coach. Hey, he might end up being worth the money. I was just surprised at the club’s money ball mantra and need. Didn’t seem to fit, even though there is a history of the club seeking his service.
@Alicat215. Most USMNT fans know him, but the casual soccer fan in Philly will maybe barely recognize the name. Bedoya is not going to sell out the remaining seats at Talen Energy stadium. Those of us already interested in the sport and the Union are already attending matches or watching on TV. Casual viewers aren’t tuning in just for him. The Union need to start winning for that to happen. Reality of the Philly sports market.
Jim, it isn’t 1990 anymore, there are 20,000 soccer rats in the area who know who Bedoya is……disagree. Second, while winning may work here…….look at FC Dallas. They are pretty darn good and their stadium is generally empty most weekends!
Well, he can play anywhere in the midfield or out wide, fits the team style very well, not an international player. Definitely improves the team. Maybe not as much as some other positions but maybe so. Maybe the difference between him and whoever he replaces is more than whoever they would get at a different position. We know ES has a plan for this whole thing and there has already been a lot of roster turnover. I also think that the team is higher on Sapong and Fabinho than a lot of fans are, so the priorities are different even if we don’t like that.
Of course he improves the club A, not denying that…….it’s that hefty price tag…that’s all, for something we have an abundance of…..unless he’s going to play the #8 role for now…and like you said…there is a long view the ES has. Trust me, I like CJ……but if a bonafide DP striker came about who scores goals……you buy!
I love CJ but I would love to get that DP striker. I am assuming ES didn’t see anyone who fit what he wanted at this point. Or they just value it differently as they are still scoring goals. Who knows.
Agreed but at the “right” price. Union are probably looking for an Adi type.
It is when you give up what they gave up for the allocation spot for a player they don’t need.
Giving up TAM, GAM, and a 2017 natural first round picks seems a bit pricey for an allocation spot. As far as I know the lowest limit the money given could have been is $50,000 TAM and $50,000 GAM. Meaning Bedoya costs and extra $100,000 at least plus a first round pick. Plus the discovery rights of players can add up to another $50,000. Cost is high to me for a player who we still don’t know where he is going to play or fit with this team.
I do not whole-heartedly disagree with you but I have a few [obvious] points. 1) The Union experienced multiple successes with our recent 1st rounders (which are going to be getting pay bumps in addition to the others getting pay bumps) so I’m OK with losing that pick. 2) This is honestly one of the first times the club has dropped serious dollars and I think it’s a good thing that we can expect more of. 3) Bedoya is a household name in that he regularly plays for the USMNT. Big names sell tickets and I’m all for a crowded Talen.
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I hear you and everyone else complaining about positional needs and I although agree, I also know that Bedoya is a good player who will bring skills, focus, and leadership to a team in desperate need of a mid-season kickstart.
Can’t argue the Bedoya helps ticket sales and is a good player. But the team spent a 1 million in transfer fee 1 million in salary and gave up value at least equal to $200k for ultimately a right winger of which we have 2 with ayuk in the wings to move up. To me this 2.2 million spend for someone in my opinion is not worth it at that price tag. Like I’ve said in previous post I would dropped the $400k or slightly more that it would probably have cost to take Mix from NYCFC. Then at the end of the season I would tried using that allocation money and allocation spot to try to bring over a US striker like Aron Johannsson or someone like that to replace CJ. Also allowing you to sell CJ and bring in another backup. Just not money well spent if you ask me. My problem is not with the player it is with the price tag and needs of this team.
Mix is a mediocre player. No team in this league is interested in him for the salary he’s commanding.
Rumors are NYCFC will pay half his current salary to get rid of him. That is what Nogs salary was and you then flip the player sell him at the end of the year if you don’t like his contract. As far as I’ve heard Mix is only demanding to play not a specific salary.
@Dr. Union. Even if NYCFC is willing to pay half – mind you proabably only until the end of the season – you cannot guarantee that you can sell him in the off-season. Then you are stuck with his entire or most of his salary for 2017. That is a terrible fiscal plan with too much risk for little reward. No one in MLS wants him and I doubt teams abroad are beating down the door. That analysis is flawed because it’s based on the assumption that there is a buyer for Mix that is willing to pay the salary he demands.
His salary is no more than Edu’s he is 4 years younger and he at least is healthy and fits a role. He can play the 8.
He cannot play #8 well. Ifhe could, NYCFC would keep him. Good #8s are not plentiful.
It’s funny, for a myriad of reasons….when I found out we signed Bedoya……Mix and NYCFC was the first thing that popped into my head! No joke. He is much better than Mix though…..IMHO. There is a reason Mix was cast aside by JK and Bedoya was pretty reliable for him. Mix is a horrible #8, you need to create……and destroy as an 8, he’s not that clever and is way too nice in there. Nogs was more nuanced in the way he did it, closing down space and lanes…..and stalling out a match with possession…….
@ Dr. Union. Mix cannot and has never played well at the “8” for any team, including the USMNT. And $800K for a below MLS average 8 is high. Even $400K is high. And you can’t compare him to Edu. Different players with different skill sets. Little upside for Mix or teams in MLS or abroad would be jumping at the chance to get him. NYCFC clearly wants to off-load, yet no takers? The market dictates the value. Hop off the Mix train. It derailed months and months ago.
Bedoya is not a household name. He’s a name that people who consistently watch the USMNT are familiar with. He alone will not put people in the stands. Be realistic.
Yes, but he’s constantly in the top 11 of the national team. He’s now one of the best players in the league and we should be happy to have him. His style fits the team to a T. I don’t know why people are complaining that we spent money on a good player (and it’s honestly not even that much money).
I’m not complaining. I think it’s a great pick-up, but there is a complete misunderstanding that he’s the type of player to draw additional interest to the club.
We need to see an analysis of just how much that extra money really is. It’s money that has earmarks and expires after a certain time. Why wouldn’t you use it to sign a player like Bedoya?
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That said, the whole allocation order thing really needs to go. It’s a setup that can be exploited by teams in the same way the Sixers used NBA draft rules to tank and collect so–called assets. Chicago just got paid for being a bad soccer team.
Completely agree. I get the intent of allocation order, but effectively, Chicago got to hold us hostage and take get a bunch of assets when they may have had no real intent of even considering Bedoya. If Bedoya and Seattle worked out terms, would they have had to trade with Chicago?
Probably the best thing would have been Union/Bedoya/Nantes agree on a deal and Chicago (or any team ahead of the Union) have the right to match it. Otherwise they get nothing.
I think that Chicago was genuinely interested in bringing Bedoya in.
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Remember, they had negotiated a deal with Drogba before MTL pipped them at the finish line.
that’s the premise behind any system of acting in reverse order of finish in any sport.
Well, I’ve always enjoyed having TAM and GAM around, but I’m excited about this move.
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If anyone hasn’t see it, go watch the tribute to him on Nantes’s website. The variety of ways that he scored goals was very impressive, had forgotten about a lot of them.
You can;t say this is bad, getting Bedoya, but one thing is very clear: The Union do not get the same treatment as the mega teams.
I referenced this further up the conversation, but I think this move is at least partly grounded in raising our profile to garner more coverage.
Not sure why Curtin was so secretive about what position/role he expects Bedoya to fill. I’m pretty certain he’s going to be employed as a #8 though.
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I wasn’t sure abut how to rate this deal, and of course time and results will determine the final answer on that, but I think Curtin’s point that when you add a great player to your team, the team improves, regardless of where he’s played, is a fair one. I think this team is better today than it was yesterday.
I like a healthy edu as stand alone HDM @6 stop with the 2Dmids, barnetta back to 10, and employ Bedoya on wing with Ilsinho back to bench… but that’s me.
Given the entire set-up ES & JC have created throughout the organization, I severely doubt you will see a formation switch/change of shape, especially in mid-season.
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In the scheme you describe 8/3 at 1:58 pm who is your #8?
I like the crazy idea of a 4-1-3-2, same back 4, Edu lone 6, Bedoya, Barnetta, Pontius across the midfield and Sapong and Herbers/Alberg as dual strikers.
Yes. Or 4-3-3 as below stated.
I’m scared of the lone 6 unless you have the personnel to dictate a match for a full 90…..keeping it their end. If you are mediocre with a lone 6, you can get exposed bad. Especially if the striker and wingers in an opposing 4-3-3,4-2-3-1, or even a 4-4-2 …check back off the back four into space. Just a thought for you 4-1-3-2 dudes……
Can’t play a 4-3-3 without a physical CDM with above average passing range at the base of the middle triangle. Few players in MLS do so effectively. Stewart and Curtin are banking that when Edu returns that he can slot into that role.
On Twitter Bedoya said last December that his favorite position is the #8 in a 4-3-3. So if he wants to play there and Curtain and Earnie think he is a good fit. Sounds like a solid signing.
Just the fact that they are dropping a lot of coin for a very good player is an amazing step for our team. It’s like the kid is riding without training wheels now. Finally. As for positioning, that’s on Curtin now, and I feel very good they already have a plan and just have to coax some other players. Well done Union, well done.
Did I follow the Union because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I followed the Union?
For those uneasy about what we gave up; I’m okay with losing a first round pick, if our academy is supposed to be the lead method of signing and developing youth going forward.
Also from what it sounds like, Bedo is a signing for the present and the future, so what we’re giving up has to be evaluated over the years he plays for us.
And if this helps right the ship and stop our recent swoon, we’ll be picking mid-to-late first round, where losing a pick isn’t such a big deal.
I agree. The pick is almost worthless if you’re not top 3 (maybe top 5) – which the Union will not be next draft. GAM and TAM are our friends, as we typically don’t splash this kind of cash, but I’m genuinely happy that we are bringing in a quality player to help this team.
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A few things:
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With Barnetta’s contract up at the end of the season, this is a little insurance, in case we move on from him.
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I also have faith in ES. He made this deal happen. I trust he didn’t just go grab a name, and stick him on the field.
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It shows for once, we can spend some money, as a club. That makes me happy.
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When it comes to Bedoya’s position on the field… I say it’s the Sixers mentality… acquire talent, and then figure it out.
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I am happy this got done. It shows the FO believes in this team and this season.
“I also have faith in ES. He made this deal happen. I trust he didn’t just go grab a name, and stick him on the field.”
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^This.
Agreed.
Big Ern’s words make clear the values he sees in Bedoya. It’s his marquee signing. In the tortured world of Don “the Con” Garber’s league-wide roster management, we got screwed (again, Jay). “I’m with Earnie.” Until I’m not.
I like the signing. This gives the Union (at least on paper) a more than adequate chance to stay in the running. They need another Striker but I really like their chances with a combo of Edu and Bedoya with Barnetta moving up. Barnetta is an injury risk and Alberg doesn’t appear to have a 90 minute engine. I don’t think they’re done making moves obviously no a DP. Not only do they need a striker but how long are the going to drag out adding a quality LB?
Bedo instantly changes this team. This feels good: biggest move in team history!
I have a sneaky, albeit small (for now), suspicion that Earnie is indeed trying to move the team toward a Dutch-style 4-3-3…
Interesting thought. I would agree this could work but I would change some players around. The backs are the same as usual.
Barnetta LCM —Carroll CDM —Edu RCM
LW Alberg/Pontius —ST CJ —RW Bedoya
Is there really any difference between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1? Especially the 4-2-3-1 we have played with Barnetta as the #8.
Yeah, three levels as opposed to four. In the 4-2-3-1 you are suppose to have those two in the double pivot stay home….so you have two holding mids who create a “no go” box with the two CB’s in the back four. The cool thing about the 4-2-3-1 one is that it can be tweaked into a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with slight adjustments. The 4-3-3….dependent upon the type relies more on a triangle in the middle of the pitch….and more demanded of your flank backs. To name a few differences. The 4-2-3-1 is a little more defensive in nature than the 4-3-3. Hope that helps…….
Yeah. I understand. I meant the way we play it. We really only lineup in the 4-2-3-1 on paper. We without a doubt shift it depending on if we are in attack or defense. I always thought the way players play is more instructive than whatever formation they want to call it. For example, we were not playing a 4-2-3-1 with Barnetta at the 8 and Alberg at the 10, i would say that was a 4-1-3-1-1 personally.
There is the nuance. Clubs make each system there own. Your 4-2-3-1 can turn into a 4-1-4-1 when your defending, a 4-3-3 can turn into 4-5-1 when you don’t have the ball. Arsenal and Dortmund run their 4-2-3-1 differently than say a Stoke play theirs. Barca’s 4-3-3 is much different than Benfica or Basel’s 4-3-3……
And yeah, Barnetta doesn’t stay home in the double pivot to call it a traditional 4-2-3-1……Nogs would pick his spots to venture up the pitch…he usually tried to stay true to the holding role. Barnetta doesn’t do that……
Subtle differences, but it’s more the tactics established prior to a match, and then the execution and adjustment of those tactics during a match that are infintely more important than the actual “formation.” The formation is more of a template than anything else.
If the cub is moving to a Dutch style 4-3-3……there is NO way BC can hold that 6 role………way too much for him to cover physically……he can’t do it at 35. I wonder if a banged up, aging Mo could do that as well……..
We didn’t give up much. Money gained from recent trade and sales. TAM has an expiration date. Draft picks are what they are – given that it will be a late first round anyhow. Chicago played hardball, but how much did the Union really “lose” after trading away Wenger, Maidana, Lahoud, Pfeffer etc.
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Another point, Bedoya is a versatile player. Can play one the wings and in the middle of the park. Smart move that addresses an immediate need.
I disagree I think we gave up a lot, not so much in the draft pick, but money quite a bit and this does not address an immediate need. Immediate needs were an #8, LB, and ST. Not another Winger/CAM hybrid of which we have plenty now.
I disagree that it’s a “lot” of money. It’s basically a 1.175 million dollar transfer fee for a good player on a good ligue 1 team. That’s not bad at all.
And Bedoya is here to play that 8 we need. He’s looked great at for the NT. And his play style and work ethic translates to the 8 a lot better than Barnetta. Plus, his ability to play 10 or out wide is a PLUS and gives us flexibility. It’s not a bad thing.
So which available players at those spots do you sign instead at this price?
In reality, that is not “quite a bit of money.” It’s really almost nothing for a player of his quality. $1M Transfer Fee and $175K in MLS money. Hop on transfermark and start sifting through Ligue Un midfielders. Check out the est. transfer values for players with similar experience and quality.
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Bedoya can and has played at the “8” at the highest level of the sport.
Your last sentence is the key to this event.
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See Mcb posted at 3:11 pm above.
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If both of you are correct, the puzzle pieces all align.
I really hope they didn’t make the signing because of trying to get butts in seats or expand the fan base. If that was a large driving factor I think the team will be disappointed.
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Bedoya is a really good player and a national team guy but he’s not a household name. The casual sports fan knows Brooks, Bradley, Howard, Altidore, and maybe Pulisic or Wood.
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As far as fit, I think he can play centrally but probably works best if we either invert the triangle or play a diamond.
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It feels like they really wanted a USMNT player but I would have rather had Danny Williams or Greg Garza for half the cost or Aron Johnason for a similar price point.
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The GAM/TAM extortion could come back to bite us in the offseason. Could have been helpful in retaining Pontius/covering some of the other wage increases or bringing in an Alberg level player.
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Basically at this point I think if Earnie is going to be active in the winter he’s either got to sell Blake or get Miami FC to pay an insane price for Gaddis.
Re: household name for Bedoya – spot on. Not sure where people got this idea that he’s a splashy name or a household figure.
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Re: GAM/TAM there is always more Garber$$$ to go around, especially as the cap expands and the league “bestows” money on their franchises to attract talent.
My guess is that Johanson will be available at a cut rate this winter. He won’t be healthy until October, at the earliest. At that point, Bremen may be ready to move on. I’d expect him to be a smaller transfer fee, lower salary, due to being damaged goods. Instead of 1M/1M, I’d expect closer to 750K/750K.
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Not sure we splash for that, but he’ll be on the market in the winter.
Transfer Market still has his transfer fee estimated at $2.8 million US.
They’re listed at the same price: 2,5M
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http://www.transfermarkt.com/aron-johannsson/profil/spieler/119169
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http://www.transfermarkt.com/alejandro-bedoya/profil/spieler/111783
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Bedoya isn’t coming off of a lengthy injury issue.
Vague memory says Pontius’s high salary is this season only.
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My records say nothing, so we’ll have to run it down later.
His contract is up after the season. I imagine he’ll resign but he’s having a heck of a year and don’t think he’s going to take a big cut in salary.
In ES we trust… should be emblazoned on our crest, Once again I will say one word to make any nay-sayer a believer… and that one word is “SAKS”… I need to say no more!!! Saks wouldn’t even have gotten a return phone call from Bedo’s agent! Quality American born, first division international experienced, USMNT player acquired by ES to fill the needed gap on the club to have him compliment and raise the level of players on the team, AWESOME, GREAT JOB ES… we will enjoy the results, that I’m sure!!! UNION UNION UNION UNION UNION UNION!!!!!!!!!
Love the signing. The allocation money is meaningless, and often not even spent. Bedoya is better than Nogs. I repeat Bedoya is better than Nogs!
I would prefer comparable, please. Vincent Nogueira’s absence still hurts. I “liked his style” as is sometimes said of a person.
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I hope he gets to win a championship before he hangs ’em up.
I do think he’s better than Nogs although I would have loved to see this:
Pontius – Barnetta – Bedoya
—–Nogs——–Edu
You can’t make a statement like that until you see the product on the pitch……..I don’t necessarily think Bedoya is whole lot better than Nogs. Trust me, if Nogs were a Yank……….he’d have been on the MNT radar since he was 12! Than of course we would have screwed up his development and he’d now be in the PDL eeking out a living or riding pine in Colorado!
ouch. so true but ouch.
Before we all buy our tickets for the next MLS Cup to be held in Chester in 2016, please remember that Alejandro Bedoya’s conditioning is in rhythm with Europe’s underlying schedule.
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Earnie Stewart’s engine is there, but it will need a good tune up and few laps around the track for testing before Bedoya is ready to win INDY wire to wire.
Remember Barnetta’s first games last year?
It’s a good point. However, he should probably be more match fit than Barnetta was. He’s had the copa and most of his club preseason. Barnetta was unattached when he came over and hadn’t started a league match since early April 2015. Did have a few late game appearences in May.
there was need.
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they spent.
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he is a good player.
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he can help.
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better than the same old same old that is no more.
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i’ll leave the nuance and marginalia for those who believe in a blog’s psychic ability to transform a group of players and coaches in to something better/different/more/other …
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trust Earnie – he’s making progress – I’ll take one quarter impulse speed forward over where we have been.
I say amen brother
2016- there are WC qualifiers in September, Edu was still noticeably limping /favoring his leg at the open practice, Edu, Barnetta and Pontius’ contracts all expire at the end of the season.
How many games will that group play together in the remaining 12? O/u is at 7.5
O/u for 2017 is .5
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“Butts in seats”- Union average for 2016 is 17220/18500. 1280 X $40 avg ticket for 17 games is $870,400. So if they sell out from here on, they’ll break even in 2018.
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He’s your 2017 CAM and that’s fine.
Our playoff run rests on Ale being Nogs-esque when he’s played higher up AND an almost messianic belief that Edu will return, be fit, be a difference maker and not get reinjured in his 6/7/8 matches so we can knock off New England in the WC game.
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I love this signing.
Looks like they got some of the allocation money back by trading Seba to Colorado.
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http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/post/2016/08/03/philadelphia-union-acquire-general-allocation-money-colorado-rapids
Would rather have a like-for-like replacement for #5. Surely there’s a deep-lying playmaker out there somewhere. The influence of Bedoya will be more apparent in a 4-3-3 like a few of my fellow Union fans have suggested on reddit, but I don’t see Curt & Big Earn implementing a new formation at this point in the season. I do see a limp into the playoffs and a quick first round playoff exit. Bedoya had the only real chance against Allemagne in WC ’14 and had a spectacular gol against PSG recently in Ligue 1. Maybe he can find more consistency at the MLS level. Union need a good, two-way guy in the middle though, not gols.
I’m thrilled the Philadelphia Union signed a national team player from Estados Unidos.
Wow, who is this random loser the union are signing? He definitely won’t turn into a club legend and one of the best union players ever. Definitely not.