Union decline options on 4 players

Chester, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union have declined contract options on Levi Houapeu, Morgan Langley, Ryan Richter and Joe Tait, the club announced today.

The move frees up two international roster spots.

Selected 41st overall in 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Houapeu saw action in Reserve League matches against NY (4/10), D.C. United (5/16) and Columbus (8/21) before suffering a season ending injury in mid-September.

A Swarthmore College product, Langley became the third player to follow the path from Harrisburg to Chester when he signed with Philadelphia on September 15, 2011. He appeared in one first team match for the Union, subbing on in the 80th-minute against the Columbus Crew on September 17. He also saw time in three Reserve League matches.

Selected fifth overall in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft, Richter signed with Philadelphia on March 1 after a trial with the club. Richter was featured in each of Philadelphia’s 10 Reserve League matches. He made his Union debut on July 21 during a friendly against Everton and scored his first goal in a Philadelphia kit against the Harrisburg City Islanders during a friendly on August 24.

Tait spent three weeks on trial with the Union before signing with the club on September 13.  He played in three Reserve League matches, where he had one assist. He was also featured in the friendly against Harrisburg, scoring the fifth goal in the Union’s 5-3 victory.