Crew's Moreno among 10 Players Selected by Philadelphia in 2009 MLS Expansion Draft

Philadelphia to begin play in 2010 season as league’s 16th club 

NEW YORK — Major League Soccer held its 2009 Expansion Draft Wednesday for the League’s 16th team, Philadelphia Union, which selected 10 players to begin constructing its roster for the 2010 season. Philadelphia selected one player each from 10 of the 15 MLS teams, including forward Alejandro Moreno from the MLS Supporters Shield-winning Crew. 

Philadelphia Union, which will be a member of the Eastern Conference, will play their home opener at Lincoln Financial Field (home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles) on April 10, 2010 and open its home stadium, Union Field, in Chester, Pa., during the 2010 season.

The 30-year-old Moreno was originally acquired by the Crew from the Houston Dynamo on May 9, 2007, in exchange for Joseph Ngwenya. Moreno made 74 appearances, 69 of them starts, in his three seasons with the Black & Gold, totaling 20 goals and 12 assists in that time. He was the Crew’s Budweiser Golden Boot winner during its 2008 MLS Cup championship season, leading the club with nine goals. The Venezuelan international heads to Philadelphia with 200 career regular-season games, 43 goals and 28 assists under his belt.

“While we are very disappointed to lose a player of Alejandro’s caliber and qualities, it’s unfortunately the price of building a championship team with great depth,” said Crew technical director Brian Bliss. “He is a great professional and leader who was a very important part of our three major trophies over the last two years and we wish him happiness and continued success in Philadelphia.” 

Five teams did not have a player selected – FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC. Each of the League’s 15 teams was allowed to protect 11 players, leaving all others unprotected and available for selection by the Union.  

The following is a complete list of players selected in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft: defender Jordan Harvey (Colorado Rapids), midfielder Andrew Jacobsen (D.C. United), goalkeeper Brad Knighton (New England Revolution), forward Sebastien Le Toux (Seattle Sounders FC), midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi (LA Galaxy), forward Alejandro Moreno (Columbus Crew), defender Dave Myrie (Chicago Fire), midfielder Shea Salinas (San Jose Earthquakes), defender Shavar Thomas (Chivas USA), and midfielder Nick Zimmerman (New York Red Bulls).

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