Nowak tabbed as Union's first coach

The MLS expansion Philadelphia Union has selected its first head coach, Peter Nowak .

Philadelphia will introduce Nowak on Friday.

The only man to ever win an MLS Cup as a player and head coach, Nowak will leave his post as a U.S. national team assistant coach to take over as the mentor for the Union, which is set to begin play in 2010.

Nowak was a star on the Polish national team before leaving Europe to play with the MLS' Chicago Fire in 1998.

Nowak spent five years in the Windy City before retiring. A year later he took over as coach of D.C. United and led the club to the MLS Cup title in 2004, his first season in charge. He spent three years as D.C. United’s head coach, compiling a 42-27-25 record during that time.

“Peter epitomizes the core values that we are building our organization around,” said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “His fierce competitiveness will translate to the pitch and resonate powerfully with our loyal supporters and all soccer fans in the Philadelphia region. Peter was our primary target from the outset and we’re ecstatic that he’s as excited about this opportunity as we are about him. Philadelphia Union will be in the hands of a proven champion for years to come.”