After approximately one season with the club, Toronto FC has traded defender and midfielder Warren Creavalle to the Philadelphia Union for a second-round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
Creavalle was acquired in July 2014 from the Houston Dynamo. The 24-year-old made 15 league appearances for the Reds and recorded two goals.
"This transaction allows us some flexibility both in terms of our roster and on the cap," Toronto GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement released by the club Friday.
Toronto first traded for Creavalle because of his versatility of being able to switch back and forth from the right fullback and right midfield positions; he also has a few games under his belt at the defensive midfield position. But since joining the Reds, he has struggled to solidify his spot in the team and his evidently become surplus to Toronto head coach Greg Vanney’s requirements.
Despite his struggles this season, the move comes as somewhat of a surprise because of Toronto’s lack of depth at the fullback position. The recent acquisition of Josh Williams off waivers from New York City FC didn’t help his cause, however.
Creavalle first broke into the league when the Dynamo selected him in the second round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, 37th overall, out of the University of Central Florida.
The Union think differently of Creavalle and believe he will grow into a solid player.
"Warren's versatility will be a great addition to our group," Philadelphia technical director Chris Albright said in a statement. "He's a young player who has played a lot of games in our league and we look forward to him contributing immediately.”
Creavalle joins a struggling Union side that currently sits last place in the Eastern Conference with a 6-4-13 record, good for 22 points, six points out of a playoff spot.
In total, Creavalle his recorded five goals in 78 career appearances in MLS.