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Philadelphia Union standing pat on DP front

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Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

  
Fans in Philadelphia have heard the reports from other MLS teams lining up Designated Player signings and have been left wondering when the Union would join the party.

That's not happening any time soon.

According to multiple sources with knowledge of the team's plans, the Philly Union do not intent to bring in any high-priced players via a Designated Player slot this season.

"Why spend $3 million on a player who is going to be around for a year? The team is better of spending that money on academy and training facilities," said a source close to the team.

"It's different if you have a player like David Beckham, who is going to sell a million jerseys, but to give a bunch of money to a player who isn't going to be around long doesn't make sense."

The Union has opened its new PPL Park in Chester and is drawing large and vibrant crowds. A new designated player, even a high-profile signing, wouldn't sell enough tickets to justify the expense at this point in the club's young history.

The team's early approach to building its team has been to focus on youth, with promising prospects Danny Mwanga, Roger Torres, Jack McInerney and Amobi Okugo giving the team a strong foundation for the future.

When asked about the team's philosophy regarding Designated Players back in December, Peter Nowak told SBI that the team would only be interested in bringing in a Designated Player who was interested in a long-term role with the club, not a one-year or two-year mercenary.

The Union is expected to sign Argentine midfielder Eduardo Coudet. The former River Plate player impressed in Philadelphia's recent friendly against Celtic and could slide in and start in central midfield for the Union.

What do you think of this development? Disappointed to hear Philadelphia won't sign a DP this season? Understand the reasoning behind the Union's strategy?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Having been a Philly sports fan for all 34 of my years and a “soccer guy,” I can understand the wisdom of wating to buld with youth. However, the distrustful Philly fan in me comes out and when I hear something like this, I cringe. It harkens back to the infinite wisdom of the Phillies in the late 80’s and early 90’s… Philly fans are very unforgiving when it comes to the perception that their teams are being “cheap,” and if the Union don’t start winning soon, the days of a full capacity PPL Park will be over quicker than they began, no matter how many Sons of Ben supporters show up.

    A DP shows a committment to winning, and while teams like NYRB and even DC have unveiled multiple DP’s to bolster their squads, the Union haven’t even made a ripple. The Union have a weak LB in Jordan Harvey right now, so why not try and bolster an acknowledged weakness with an accomplished LB that wants to come to MLS like Mikael Silvestre of Arsenal? DP’s don’t have to be glamour names, but if you can get one that helps make you better on the pitch than you are right now, why not?

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  2. You mean a DP like Landin? But in all seriousness, the one DP per team so far has not really translated into winning hardware. LA came close with their two DPs last season, but they lost the cup to a team who had a losing record in the regular season. As soon as NY or LA get three DPs, we shall see if this new factor changes anything since this has yet to be tested. It will be interesting to see.

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  3. No, I do not think the profile of cities has anything to do with it, at least in Philly’s case. The issue for this particular ownership group is money and allocating it wisely in areas deemed as priorities for them. It’s a cost/benefit analysis and the Philly F.O. are running and maintaining a specific budget; after all, they have spent a lot on facilities and building infrastructure within the past couple of years (and it sounds like their plan is to build training facilities). And no, their pockets are not as deep as the Red Bull corp. As long as they truly are spending money on building an academy and a youth system, to me that is more important for the health of the club and this league than spending right now on imported names.

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  4. No this in incorrect. If the DP was so important then the few teams with them would be the ones winning the Cup while other teams lagged behind. It doesn’t matter how large the sample is. A DP is supposed to be able to make you better and all anyone is saying is that it has not been proven true. Learn some logic. Philly is going to be just fine building this way. Look at RSL and how good they are this year with no DP’s. Did RSL start off fresh out of the box as a top contender? No it took a few years but now they are on of the best teams in MLS.

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  5. I understand their stance, however, with the current influx of quality DP’s coming in they stand to lose ground against their competitors. It’s not like they couldn’t use some help.

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  6. A DP could only help their marketing. Why settle for good when they can be great?

    You have ably pointed out their success and methodical approach. What they are doing is very commendable. But in no way does it negate the positive–sometimes intangible–effects a quality, creative, high-profile player can have on the team, on game day, on the fans, and for the growth of the Union and MLS brand.

    They have not sworn off a DP, I hope their soft-selling is not a front because they can’t afford one. I’d love to see a big-name player there–who will invest himself in Philly.

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  7. If they can’t afford it, that’s one thing. If they are going to settle for over-the-hill, like Denilson, don’t do it.

    But having a DP gives them opportunity to inspire young fans and players, and raise the level of their image nationally and globally.

    They need to get a good DP.

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  8. I think they state pretty clearly that they would sign a DP to a LONG TERM deal.

    It’s not myopic. They simply have other spending priorities that emphasize long term growth rather than short term splash.

    If a DP were to be a difference maker in terms of them winning a cup, selling merch or selling seats I think they’d be thinking differently.

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  9. There are only two reasons to bring in a DP – marketing and to make a run for a championship. Philly doesn’t need the marketing boost right now, they are selling plenty of tix and jerseys b/c they are new and are tapping pent-up local soccer interest. In terms of soccer quality, even with a DP they won’t compete for the MLS Cup. So might as well use the money this year to build a solid foundation for the future via youth academy, young senior teamers and high quality role players, then pop for the DP once a championship is a reasonable goal. Adding an expensive DP for this year or next just doesn’t make any sense. The fact that Philly’s management can so clearly articulate their plan gives me confidence that they will be a winning franchise within a couple of years.

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  10. As a Philly fan I think the samrtest thing is to create a foundation on which to build the franchise. A DP would be great but isn’t necessary at this point if they don’t fit with Nowak’s plans. The team would be better served investing in a developmental academy to start harvesting the home grown talent. Philly already has USL and PDL teams affiliated with them so they are on the right track.

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