Nick Piccone
There were rumors swirling the last few days that the Philadelphia Union were looking to add United States Men’s National Team midfielder Alejandro Bedoya to their squad. And on Wednesday, they made it happen. Bedoya will be joining the Union as a Designated Player, according to an official press release:
Philadelphia Union have acquired the services of U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Alejandro Bedoya from FC Nantes. Bedoya will join the Union as a Designated Player. Bedoya has earned 53 international caps including four FIFA World Cup appearances.
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. Union sporting director Earnie Stewart commented on the acquisition.
“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,” said Stewart said. “He’s a tremendous player in the prime of his career and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the club.”
The 29 year old joins the Union from FC Nantes of France’s Ligue 1. He originally joined the club in August of 2013, and immediately made an impact for the newly-promoted club by playing in 31 league games and registering five goals. Overall, during his three years in France, Bedoya played in 87 league games and scored 11 goals. He also added three goals in nine cup games.
Bedoya has also had professional time with Helsinborgs IF (2012-13), Rangers FC (2011-12) and Orebo SK (2009-11). Bedoya signed with Sweden’s Orebo after a successful collegiate career at Boston College. He spent one year in Scotland before returning to the Allsvenskan (the top flight of Swedish football), with Helsinborg.
At the international level Bedoya continues to be an indispensable option for USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, coming in with 53 career caps over the last seven years. Bedoya, who was born in Englewood, N.J., appeared in all four World Cup matches for the USMNT in 2014, and was a driving force in the team’s semifinal run during the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Overall, he’s scored two goals and handed out eight assists in his international career.
Bedoya is from Englewood, NJ. According to the official transaction, the Union used their number one spot in the Allocation Ranking Order via a trade with the Chicago Fire, where they gave up “general allocation money, targeted allocation money, the club’s natural first round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, and the Discovery Priority on a player to be named later.” ESPN is reporting Bedoya would receive an average annual salary of $1 million.
And that wasn’t the only move the Union made on Wednesday. They traded Sébastien Le Toux to the Colorado Rapids for general allocation money. Le Toux was a fan favorite when he was traded the first time around in 2012, and returned in 2013. He’s made 21 appearances so far this season, with two goals in 13 starts. Apparently, his name wasn’t good enough to make the headlines, though.
Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart did have this to say about Le Toux:
“Sebastien has been a wonderful servant to the Philadelphia Union and we cannot thank him enough for his exemplary time and commitment. We want to wish him the best of luck in Colorado and in his future endeavors.”
UPDATE: Moments after this post was published, the Union made another move. They’ve acquired Charlie Davies.
Philadelphia Union have announced the acquisition of forward Charlie Davies from New England Revolution in exchange for General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money and the Union’s natural first round selection in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. The Union also received New England’s natural third round selection in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
“Charlie adds another dynamic dimension to our attack and is exactly the type of player we targeted during this window,” Sporting Director Earnie Stewart said. “We’re thrilled to be able to add another player of quality and look forward to welcoming him to the club.”