UPPER MERION, Pa. – About an hour into the Philadelphia Union’s first official practice of the preseason on Monday, Carlos Valdés walked into YSC Sports.
But while his Philly teammates were running around the two indoor turf fields, Valdés walked slowly around the indoor training complex while dressed in street clothes. Soon after, Union technical director Chris Albright offered an explanation for the noticeable omission, confirming the rumors that the club is shopping the Colombian center back.
“All I can say regarding Carlos is there’s a negotiation ongoing,” Albright told reporters following Monday’s practice. “Nothing is finalized as of yet. We hope to have further news shortly but in the interest of the negotiation, we’re going to resist commenting any further.”
Albright, who had a phone pressed to his ear for most of the team’s training session, did not offer any other details about the potential move, but recent reports have linked the 29-year-old defender to Nacional de Montevideo in Uruguay. A Union spokesman could not confirm the team the Union are negotiating with, and Valdés politely declined comment when approached by reporters.
If Valdés ends up elsewhere – as appears likely – it would mark a sad end to what seemed like a very happy reunion less than six months ago. After starring for the Union in 2011 and 2012, Valdés was loaned out in 2013 (with Colombia’s Santa Fe) and part of 2014 (with Argentina’s San Lorenzo) to boost his chances of making Colombia’s World Cup team.
After Valdés fulfilled his dream of making the World Cup, playing in one game for a Colombia team that advanced to the quarterfinals, the Union worked hard to end the loan and secure his return from San Lorenzo, welcoming Valdés back to Philly with much fanfare in early August.
At the time, Valdés appeared to be thrilled about the move, saying: “When I left Philly, I always was thinking to come back one day because I think this is my second family. I love the fans. I love the team. I love the people of Philadelphia. I love my teammates. As soon as the World Cup finished, I was thinking about coming back to Philadelphia.”
But the Colombian center back was not at his best in the eight games he started last season, and it now looks like that’s how his tenure in Philly will end – this time, perhaps, for good.
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
