It has been rumored that the Philadelphia Union are close to acquiring attacking midfielder/winger, Roland Alberg. There had been previous speculation, but today, ADO Den Haag, Alberg’s current team of the Dutch Eredivisie, reported that Alberg is currently in the United States finalizing a deal to join the Union. Alberg was also a member of AZ Alkmaar’s youth academy while Earnie Stewart was there, the current sporting director of the Union.
What Can Alberg Bring To The Union
Alberg has experience playing as an attacking midfielder or outside on the wings. With Tranquillo Barnetta presumably occupying the starting attacking midfielder, Alberg could find himself starting on either of the wings. For most Union fans that would be a welcome addition as the Union have not had consistency out of wide players throughout most of their history. This year, they went out and added Chris Pontius and Walter Restrepo. Pontius is a MLS Best XI caliber player, but playing 34 games this year is not likely, and Restrepo is a bit of an unknown commodity in MLS after playing in the NASL before this year.
Alberg Would Improve The Quality Of The Union
Alberg would immediately improve the quality of the Philadelphia Union and the Starting XI, and with the start of the MLS season just a few weeks away, that has to make Union fans happy. This move would just be a continuation of a large roster turnover in Stewart’s first offseason as sporting director for the Union. Stewart has clearly come in with a plan and a vision for what he sees the Union becoming. For a team that has been largely unsuccessful in its first six years, a big turnover was likely needed and having a sporting director with a vision is a welcome sight in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The Union still have a few open spots left on their roster so a few moves are still likely to be made. The Union are still rumored to be searching for a DP level striker as well. Stay tuned to VAVEL as the MLS season grows nearer and nearer.