Sources: Vitoria, Fred, Others Will Not Return To Philadelphia Union
By Kevin Kinkead
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As MLS teams begin to reveal their offseason roster moves, the Philadelphia Union has thus far remained quiet.
But sources tell CBS Philly that at least four players will not return to the club.
Steven Vitoria's loan will be allowed to expire, and the center back will return to Portugal. The Toronto-born Vitoria was on a season-long loan from Lisbon's SL Benfica.
Additionally, the team will not pick up the option on veteran midfielder Fred.
Fellow veterans Brian Carroll and Conor Casey were on similar, one year plus option deals. It's unclear right now whether those players will return to the team.
A source close to the situation tells CBS Philly that Eric Bird and Antoine Hoppenot will not return to the team. Bird, a second round draft pick, did not see the field this season. Hoppenot has been with the team since 2012 but only played 4 minutes in Jim Curtin's first full season at the helm.
Bird, Hoppenot, and homegrown player Jimmy McLaughlin, who is struggling for senior team minutes, could theoretically end up with the Union's new USL affiliate, Bethlehem Steel FC.
Another source close to the team tells CBS Philly that at least one player has asked for a trade.
Additionally, CBS Philly confirmed on Monday that midfielder Danny Cruz will not return to the Union. Cruz spent the year on loan in Norway and will remain in Europe.
