Union's new sporting director Earnie Stewart is an MLS vet
Union midfielder Brian Carroll remembers Earnie Stewart as a tremendous teammate when the two played together for 2004 Major League Soccer champion D.C. United.
Union midfielder Brian Carroll remembers Earnie Stewart as a tremendous teammate when the two played together for 2004 Major League Soccer champion D.C. United.
Now Carroll is excited to have Stewart as his boss.
On Monday, the Union announced the hiring of Stewart, a three-time U.S. World Cup performer, as the team's sporting director, effective Jan. 1.
The reason he won't start the job sooner is because Stewart, 46, will complete his duties as director of football affairs at AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, where he was born.
In his role with the Union, Stewart will oversee and guide all technical and soccer-related decisions. A Union team that has missed the playoffs in five of its six MLS seasons was desperate for stability, something that Stewart will provide.
"You look at his resumé and he has won an MLS Cup, starred for the U.S. team and is now a technical director who will bring a wealth of knowledge and hard work," Carroll said.
Stewart registered 101 caps for the U.S. team from 1990 until he retired in 2005. He was a mainstay of three U.S World Cup teams in 1994, 1998 and 2002. In addition, his 111 goals as a professional in the Netherlands make him the highest scoring American in international club play.
In his current role, Stewart guided AZ Alkmaar to the Europa League qualifications in the last six seasons.
"I am thrilled with the opportunity to come to the Philadelphia Union and help create a winning team which the fans can identify with," Stewart said in a statement released from the team.
The MLS offseason is short, so starting Jan. 1 isn't ideal, but it is what has to happen. MLS teams will report for preseason training in late January.
Even though Stewart won't be working with the Union until the new year, he will be highly involved in decision making.
"We certainly expect him to be in the loop, yes," Union chairman Jay Sugarman said in a conference call with reporters.
Sugarman said coach Jim Curtin would be returning. The team chairman did not give exact contract details but said he expects Stewart to be around for quite some time.
"We kind of look at our team and think at least a minimum five-year chunk, so we look at Earnie: Is he willing to commit at least five years?" Sugarman said. "He's willing to commit as long as we want to, so I think you'll see something along the order of five years as a place marker, but this is more about looking into each other's eyes and making a long-term commitment to make this team great and that's the challenge he is singing up for."
The Union are coming off a 7-17-7 season that ended Sunday with a 1-0 win over visiting Orlando City. There have been many failed signings, but the soccer community is in agreement that hiring Stewart is a step in the right direction.
"I think he will be a great addition," said Carroll, 34, who indicated that he plans to play again next season. "This will certainly help move our club in a new direction and take it to a new level."
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