Top Stories

Union announce return of Carlos Valdés from loan

CarlosValdes (ISIPhotos.com)

By TATE STEINLAGE 

As of Monday, the Philadelphia Union sit just one spot out of playoff contention. A big move involving a familiar face could help change that.

The Union announced Monday that defender Carlos Valdés has returned to the club on a new multi-year deal after spending almost 19 months on loan.

Valdés joined Philadelphia in 2011 and proved to be instrumental in helping the franchise reach its first postseason appearance. The Colombian followed up his first season in Major League Soccer by earning a spot on the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star roster.

Valdés was then loaned to Independiente Santa Fe in 2013 — the club he was originally acquired from — and San Lorenzo in 2014 before joining Colombia in Brazil for the World Cup. He made one appearance at the World Cup, playing all 90 minutes in Colombia’s win vs. Japan.

The 29-year-old has made 65 appearances for Philadelphia, scoring three goals during that stretch. Valdés will be available for selection when the Union host the Montreal Impact Saturday at PPL Park.

What do you think of the move? See Valdés being the defensive anchor the Union need to reach the playoffs?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. With regard to next season I would put up Carroll, Cruz and Fabinho in the expansion draft. I would loan out Blake and have MacMath be backup. The dream actually would be to loan MacMath to Everton and have Howard mentor him to a couple of seasons. Have him play on Evertons U23 squad.

    Reply
  2. Valdes is great. For me he takes Cruz spot in the lineup as far as minutes. If Maidiana is still hurt put Brown in over Cruz. Can’t wait for Saturday even if he doesn’t start.

    Reply
  3. Well in reality Valdes only had one WC appearance vs. Japan in the last group stage game. However, I understand the sentiment….he is a humongous upgrade over Ethan White. If it were my choice I would move Okugo back to CB and put Edu in a midfield position. Valdes and Kokomo have played together and done well together which will also make it easy for Gaddis and Williams on the wings to help out Cruz and whoever plays the other side. This is exactly what we needed… C’mon the U……Dooooooooooooooooop!

    Reply
    • But we’ve seen before that Valdes can be one of the top CBs in MLS without a vastly improved Okugo or Mo beside him. Adding that World Cup experience to a player that we already know does well for us is great no matter how you look at it.

      Reply
  4. Valdes is a bigger pick up than MBohli for the Union. It won’t get the coverage cause we already know the name as a Union player and, while he played and did well in Brazil, he didn’t have any performance as memorable as MBohli against Germany. The thing is Zac was good and pushing his way into the top tier of MLS keepers. MBohli will likely be better and help improve out defense, but Valdes is replacing Ethan White. We’ve seen that Valdes and Okugo was one of the best CB pairings we’ve ever had. MBohli makes this a better team, but he doesn’t push them as far as Valdes does.

    Reply
  5. Great signing for the Union! Roster now has 3 players with WC experience. Starting 11 should be Mbohli (GK), Williams, Valdes, White, Gaddis, Edu, Okugo, Noguiera, Maidana (when healthy), Le Toux & Casey … with Fabinho, Fred, and Brian Brown as super subs!!!

    Reply
    • Unfortunately, all the midfield wants to play centrally. I think the Union move Edu or Okugo back, and play Cruz, who at least plays wing.

      McMath is either starting or leaving.

      Reply
      • This is trickier than it looks. I think you start Edu/Okugo and Valdes right away, but keeper… not sure.

        One would say it would be smart of McMath to stay and make Blake the odd man out. Keeper is an old man’s game and in my opinion while he’s learned lots through this trial by fire, he would have been and is still better off apprenticing for a few more seasons under a more experienced veteran. Trouble is I’m not convinced Mboli is that. His WC experience is admirable, but he’s been in crap club situations. Plus, Philly cannot afford to drop any more points, and this is the time of the season where a miscommunication between a new keeper and back line will cost you dearly.

        Glad I’m not the coach, think it’s a real minefield if they are really serious about making the playoffs this season. Personally I think it’s too late without some serious bed-crapping by the current leaders.

    • I am happy to get Valdez back but I would not pair him with White. Berry and Okugo are both better than him. I would move Edu up and bench the washed up Carroll for good.

      Reply
      • The washed up Carroll is about the fifth option in central midfield. Lahoud is far enough ahead of him that I don’t expect to see him become first choice ever again.

Leave a Comment