Philadelphia Union Sign US International Oguchi Onyewu

It was known that the Philadelphia Union were looking for a veteran center back in order to improve their line. It seems like they’ve found him.

Oguchi “Gooch” Onyewu brings a vast amount of experience to the Philadelphia Union while checking all the boxes that the team would like. While Earnie Stewart was adamant to state that Gooch was in Philadelphia to keep fit and train with the team instead of being on trial, he also never closed the door on extending a contract offer to him. Per the team release, he will join the team as a Discovery Signing meaning that another player can be added to the discovery list.

Gooch echo’s Jim Curtin’s wish to turn the Philadelphia Union into a factory for US internationals. There’s no better way to set up the young center backs than to bring in someone with Gooch’s experience to tutor them. He has amassed 69 caps for the National Team and was a member of both the 2006 and 2010 world cup teams.

“Oguchi is a big, physical presence who brings experience and veteran professionalism, important traits that we believe will be an asset for our group of young defenders,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart. “He provides excellent depth at the center back position and we are pleased that we were able to add him to our squad.”