Fourth-place in the East isn’t enough for Earnie Stewart.
The Philadelphia Union’s first-year sporting director got off to a fast start this offseason, making several draft day deals to acquire the second, third and sixth overall selections, trading for MLS vet Chris Pontius and adding midfielders Roland Alberg and Ilsinho from abroad.
The moves have worked pretty well, helping the Union – who haven’t made the playoffs since 2011 – stay above the red line for nearly the entire 2016 season.
But Stewart wants more – a lot more. He made a trio of huge moves to help his club on Wednesday, signing USMNT midfielder Alejandro Bedoya from French club Nantes, sending longtime Union midfielder Sebastien Le Toux to Colorado and acquiring forward Charlie Davies in a trade with the New England Revolution.
The transactions are all part of Stewart’s master plan, outlined in the latest episode of MLS Insider, to help the Union not only become MLS champions, but transform into the gold standard of US clubs.
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No one watches MLS, it’s dumb
We have the Eagles
Not a union fan but I like how they have drawn from history to name their team. And even the supports are named son of Ben. I feel more MLS teams should take imagery and names from the region as being a new league it gives it a more historic feel. Names like galaxy, redbulls (so corporate) ect. are so fucking lame. All the good names like that are taken by the other leagues in this country anyway.
Stewart speaks fluent English considering he grew up in the Netherlands.
Earnie Stewart is the BEST thing that ever happened to the Philadelphia Union. I hope I can get to see this team win a trophy some day soon
💙⚽️💛
i love that man more than anyone else ever…
Truly amazing transformation my team sporting KC needs someone like him.
Soccer is so boring. No shots on net, no scoring.
Union til I die!
I love the union especially that we are developing players unlike teams like NYFC, LA who just bring in late thirty year olds for millions of dollars who only have a year or two left
Signing Alejandro Bedyoa and Charlie Davies I hope gives us a boost
i love you union!!!
Man, I'm jealous. The Union's FO actually shows up to the games.
Once Earnie has that machine up and running Philly is going to be the team stacked with quality homegrown talent. Catch up MLS, we need more for the USMNT
man philly is looking good now!
The MLS acknowledging the Union? I guess with all this Bedoya and Earnie Stewart stuff going on you don't have much choice, eh?
Guus hiddink for coach
Ernie Stewart for athletic director for the US Men's National Team
DOOP
Wow, I'm so happy seeing Philly getting attention. Earnie Stewart is awesome, and our quality is definitely noticeable despite our dip in form. As a fan you dream about all the changes you wish would happen, and Earnie's brought that uniformity to the organization, they have a style and vision, and tools to achieve that.
All for naught, they'll never make any real money playing in that bandbox.
Union for MLS Cup!
Props to everyone that builds the MLS up, instead of tearing it down. You all see the beauty in a sport that is starting to take the reigns in the US. You're the reason this sport is so beautiful. Thank you.