Friday, June 17, 2011

Former MLS All-Star Eskandarian joins Union technical staff

Former Major League Soccer player Alecko Eskandarian has joined Philadelphia Union’s technical staff as Youth Technical Director, effective immediately, the club announced.

Joining the Union from the University of Virginia, where he served as assistant coach for the Cavaliers’ men’s soccer team in 2010-11, Eskandarian will oversee the club’s academy under the direction of Coach John Hackworth, assist Brendan Burke in MLS Reserve League competition, as well as help manage club partnerships in the region.

“I am extremely excited to join the Philadelphia Union family as it is a first-class organization from top to bottom with a passionate fan base,” said Eskandarian. “Not only are the Union dedicated to being one of the top clubs in MLS today, they have placed a strong emphasis on building for the future. The foundation for a world-class youth academy is already in place, and I look forward to using my experience to help take it to the next level.”

As a player, the US forward was selected number one overall in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United, where he captured the 2004 MLS Cup while playing for Team Manager Peter Nowak. Eskandarian was named MLS Cup MVP after scoring two goals in a four-minute window to lead D.C. past the Kansas City Wizards.

After leaving the Black and Red in 2006, Eskandarian represented four other MLS teams (Toronto FC, 2007; Real Salt Lake, 2007; Chivas USA, 2008-09; and LA Galaxy, 2009) before being forced to retire due to concussions. The two-time MLS All-Star logged a total of 136 MLS matches, scoring 36 goals and adding 13 assists. Eskandarian earned his first and only cap with the senior U.S. Men’s National Team on May 27, 2003 against Wales.

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