Rumors have finally become reality, as Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon officially signed with the Philadelphia Union on Thursday. The 39-year-old recently was recently playing in the German Bundesliga with FC Koln, but has been out of contract since the end of the year and had been linked with the Union for a couple of months. The Union also announced the signing of Carlos Valdes, a defender who most recently played Colombia's Club Santa Fe. Terms of the contracts were not released.
Philadelphia Union Sign GK Faryd Mondragon, D Carlos Valdes
Both players bring international experience to a team that was sorely lacking in it. Mondragon brings 50 international caps, alone far more than the entire Union have combined. Valdes only recently made his debut for Colombia, but already has four caps. Brian Caroll (eight), Justin Mapp (five) and Michael Orozco-Fiscal (one) are the only other players who have appeared for their senior national teams and none of them have ever been regular contributors.
“We are very happy to have agreed to deals with both Faryd and Carlos,” Union coach Peter Nowak said in a team release. “It is great to have an experienced player, such as Faryd, show his desire and commitment to become a member of the Philadelphia Union family. We believe he will be a valuable mentor to our younger players.
“We also believe Carlos will have a big impact in the center of the backline. Along with Faryd, we have added two Colombian internationals who will solidify our defense and provide competition for our returning players. We believe Carlos will be an important player for the club, both on the field and in the locker room.”
The two Colombians are being brought in to bolster a defense that never quite fulfilled Nowak's hard-nosed image. The 49 goals allowed were the second most allowed in MLS last year, as the Union failed to find any consistency along their backline or in goal. Danny Califf had four different center back partners, six different players had time at right back and goalkeeper Chris Seitz lost his starting job about two-thirds of the way through the season.
The addition of Mondragon gives the Union a clear starting goalkeeper, and creates a close-to-ideal hierarchy. Brad Knighton will likely be a reasonably experienced backup and newly drafted Zac MacMath can be groomed as the keeper-of-the-future.
Valdes' addition could be equally helpful. Assuming he starts alongside Califf, that allows Nowak to find a home for Orozco Fiscal. Jordan Harvey, who started 27 games last year, will likely be the starting left back and Sheanon Williams played well during his seven starts at right back. Orozco Fiscal will likely compete for time at multiple positions.
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