Mwanga traded, big things ahead?

(Photo: Philly.com)

Earlier today, former first overall pick Danny Mwanga was traded to the Portland Timbers for Colombian forward Jorge Perlaza. Mwanga was the Union’s first pick in the 2010 draft and was brought in with great expectations. Danny had a big 6’2 frame and a solid collegiate goal scoring pedigree but never fully shown as the player we thought he would be. The Union get a 26 year old Colombian who has netted 6 goals in 41 appearances with the Timbers.


Why this trade works 
The Union front office is not one to be trusted these days and every move they make deserves the utmost doubt. All bashing a side (They do deserve bashing) this trade makes sense. Reports for over a year have been leaking out about Mwanga’s lack of commitment and work ethic on the training grounds. His production has steadily dropped year by year. His first year, Danny netted seven goals, last year he had five and this year zero goals in nine appearances. He has looked lost and unmotivated at times.


Jorge Perlaza’s style may fit the Union better. He play withdrawn and work should complement Pajoy better. Perlaza is known for his speed and that plays into the hands of the Union who attempt a lot of over the top balls. The chances of a connection rate are higher now than they were in the post Le Toux era. The Union could also try to play three up top now with Martinez and Perlaza on the wings. With the added speed up top three strikers may actually work.


Ultimately Danny was a player, who was not getting a lot of minutes, and had few bright spots this season with the minutes he received. With Mwanga about to lose his generation Adidas status next year which would cause the Union to take a big cap hit, freeing up some cap space just in time for the transfer window. Economically this was the right move.


Transfer Window looming
With the Transfer window looming, the Union front office has no choice but to go after a number of transfers. If the Union care about their image and the fans they will sign multiple players. A well-known DP player is needed.


All the dumb moves, all the senseless trades could be reversed with a new signing. It is optimistic at best for any fan to honestly believe a player of Drogba’s quality is coming to Philadelphia. No big name player would want to sign with Philly, when there are plenty of better MLS teams to sign with.


But with all the allocation money and cap room, the Union should be able to land someone. The transfer window is going to be a wild ride. We all know the Union have the money, if fans apply enough pressure, the Union will have no choice but to make the big transfer happen.