Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union have signed 29-year-old fullback R.J. Allen, the team announced Tuesday.
Allen, a native of Old Bridge, N.J., spent the last four years as a regular contributor for New York City and then Orlando before finding himself without a team entering this season. He played in Denmark prior to joining MLS and is a product of Monmouth University.
“RJ will provide needed depth and cover for our fullback corps,” Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement from the Union. “He has four years of MLS experience and has shown well as a trialist over the past week.”
Ray Gaddis has been starting at right back for the Union, backed up by Olivier Mbaizo. Mbaizo has yet to significantly impress in MLS, despite his clear athletic talents. Gaddis holds the team record for most appearances in a Union jersey.
Allen’s brother, Brandon, played for Bethlehem Steel last season.
Ok, I’ll be the first to comment.
1. This signing is an indication of a FO that is on the ball. Mbaizo out for weeks due to injury. Sign a known quantity backup to a short term contract. Not like what would have happened in the past. We would have had to make due with someone being tasked with playing out of position if the need arose.
2. I always sort of liked RJ Allen’s game when he was with NYCFC. Much more of an offensive threat than Ray will ever be. It’s not often that a defender for a rival team makes on impression on me, but RJ did. I hope we get a chance to see that at some point. As far as whether defensively RJ is better than Ray I’m not sure but let’s just say that he should be able to hold his own on the right.
I like it. Plus I grew up in Old Bridge so there’s that little nugget as well.