Union send Hoffman to LA

CHESTER, Pa (The Phanatic Magazine) - The Philadelphia Union have traded second-year forward Chandler Hoffman to the Los Angeles Galaxy for a conditional draft pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.

Hoffman. the 13th overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft out of UCLA, is a promising player but dispensable since he wasn't expected to get much playing time in 2013.

"Chandler and I had an honest conversation about where he stood and we decided that this trade gives him an opportunity that he would not have had within our team this season,” said Union Team Manager John Hackworth.  “Our organization thinks very highly of Chandler, both on and off the field, and we wish him the best of luck as he continues to develop in his career.”

The Union, who scored just 37 goals in 34 matches last season, re-acquired star striker Sebastian Le Toux in the offseason along with veteran Conor Casey, a pair which will join the ascending Jack McInerney up front.

Le Toux is Philadelphia's all-time leading scorer, netting 25 markers and adding 20 assists for the Union during the franchise's first two seasons. Philly also added some much-needed size in front of goal by selecting Casey, the former Colorado Rapids star, in the second stage of the MLS re-entry draft. Casey was let go by Colorado after the 2012 season but is the Rapids all-time leading goal-scorer with 50, and helped lead Colorado to the 2010 MLS Cup.

The 20-year-old McInerney, meanwhile, led the Union with eight goals in 2012, including a franchise-record four-game goal-scoring streak. A pair of high-energy diminutive options, the popular Roger Torres and Antoine Hoppenot are also in reserve and were above Hoffman on the depth chart.

"It has been truly an honor and blessing to wear the Blue and Gold and I want to say a huge thank you to the @PhilaUnion and @SonsofBen for all the love and support I have received since day 1 of joining the team," Hoffman Tweeted after learning about the trade.

"I wish all the fans and the organization nothing but the best."

In his lone season in Chester Hoffman appeared in seven games, starting in two, and scored the game winning goal against the Bundesliga’s Schalke 04 in a friendly.  He also netted four goals in a Reserve League match against D.C. United, setting a Union record for most individual goals scored in a Reserve League contest.