MLS Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union Sign Pair of 2014 MLS SuperDraft Picks

Published on March 5, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


Chester, Pa. (March 5, 2014 ) - Philadelphia Union announced today that the club has signed midfielder Pedro Ribeiro and defender Richie Marquez and waived midfielder Matt Kassel. Ribeiro (15th overall) and Marquez (44th overall) were selected by the Union in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ribeiro, 23, spent four years at Coastal Carolina, scoring 31 goals and notching 26 assists during his collegiate career. A product of Reading United A.C., the Union's PDL Affiliate club, the native Brazilian had a decorated career at Coastal Carolina, receiving NSCAA Second Team All-American honors (2013), Big South Attacking Player of the Year (2013) and First Team All-Big South (2013, 2012, 2011), among others.

Marquez, 21, earned NSCAA All-American honors in his junior (2012) season and D3soccer.com All-American honors his senior (2013) season. Additionally, the defender was named to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) First-Team in each of his four years at the University of Redlands. During his senior year, Marquez helped lead the Bulldogs to six shutouts and a 0.85 GAA en route to becoming the only SCIAC member to earn NSCAA All-American honors.

Kassel, 24, signed with the Union in the beginning of the 2013 season. He appeared for the Union five times during the season for a total of 90 minutes.

The Union open the 2014 season this Saturday, March 8 on the road against Portland Timbers at Providence Park (10:30 ET, CSN). Philadelphia will play the home opener at PPL Park Saturday, March 15 against the New England Revolution (4 p.m. ET, CSN).

Full or partial season ticket plans and single game tickets are on sale now. Call 1-877-21-UNION (Press 1 for Tickets) or visit www.philadelphiaunion.com/tickets for tickets and more information.

Transaction: Philadelphia Union sign Pedro Ribeiro and Richard Marquez, waive Matt Kassel.

(Round 1, No. 15 overall)

Name: Pedro Ribeiro

Position: Midfielder

Age: 23

Birthdate: 6/13/1990

Height: 6-4

Weight: 208

Hometown: Belo Horizonte, Brazil

School: Coastal Carolina University

(Round 3, No. 44 overall)

Name: Richard Marquez

Position: Defender

Age: 21

Birthdate: 5/26/1992

Height: 6-2

Weight: 180

Hometown: Pomona, Calif.

School: University of Redlands

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