Crew's Moreno Among 10 Players Selected By Philadelphia Union In 2009 MLS Expansion Draft
Published on November 25, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release
NEW YORK - Major League Soccer held its 2009 Expansion Draft Wednesday for the League's 16th team, Philadelphia Union, which selected 10 players to begin constructing its roster for the 2010 season. Philadelphia selected one player each from 10 of the 15 MLS teams, including forward Alejandro Moreno from the MLS Supporters Shield-winning Crew.
Philadelphia Union, which will be a member of the Eastern Conference, will play their home opener at Lincoln Financial Field (home of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles) on April 10, 2010 and open its home stadium, Union Field, in Chester, Pa., during the 2010 season.
The 30-year-old Moreno was originally acquired by the Crew from the HoustonDynamo on May 9, 2007, in exchange for Joseph Ngwenya. Moreno made 74 appearances, 69 of them starts, in his three seasons with the Black & Gold, totaling 20 goals and 12 assists in that time. He was the Crew's Budweiser Golden Boot winner during its 2008 MLS Cup championship season, leading the club with nine goals. The Venezuelan international heads to Philadelphia with 200 career regular-season games, 43 goals and 28 assists under his belt.
"While we are very disappointed to lose a player of Alejandro's caliber and qualities, it's unfortunately the price of building a championship team with great depth," said Crew technical director Brian Bliss. "He is a great professional and leader who was a very important part of our three major trophies over the last two years and we wish him happiness and continued success in Philadelphia."
Five teams did not have a player selected - FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC. Each of the League's 15 teams was allowed to protect 11 players, leaving all others unprotected and available for selection by the Union.
Major League Soccer Stories from November 25, 2009
- Crew To Open Champions League Quarterfinals At Home March 9 - Columbus Crew SC
- Rapids Defender Jordan Harvey Selected In 2009 MLS Expansion Draft - Colorado Rapids
- Revs' Knighton Chosen By Philadelphia In Expansion Draft - New England Revolution
- Crew's Moreno Among 10 Players Selected By Philadelphia Union In 2009 MLS Expansion Draft - Columbus Crew SC
- Philadelphia Union Selects Defender Shavar Thomas From Chivas USA In 2009 MLS Expansion Draft - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Chicago Fire Pick Up Options On Veteran Players Brian McBride And C.J. Brown For 2010 Season - Chicago Fire FC
- Real Salt Lake Claims FW Abe Thompson In MLS Waiver Draft - Real Salt Lake
- Sounders FC Loses Sebastien Le Toux To Philadelphia Union - Seattle Sounders FC
- Sounders FC Waives Brown, Fucito And Neagle - Seattle Sounders FC
- Philadelphia Union Select Chicago Fire Defender David Myrie In 2009 MLS Expansion Draft - Chicago Fire FC
- Toronto FC Roster Untouched In Expansion Draft - Toronto FC
- Earthquakes Midfielder Shea Salinas Selected In 2009 MLS Expansion Draft - San Jose Earthquakes
- MLS Releases Results Of 2009 Expansion Draft - MLS
- D.C. United Loses Andrew Jacobson In MLS Expansion Draft - D.C. United
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