Peter Nowak and the Philadelphia Union introduced their first summer signing today. Josue Martinez is a 21-year old Costa Rican international who fits the Nowak mold as someone who can slot in at multiple positions. ""He's a very humble guy. He has a different qualities with his speed, and can play as a central striker or on the wing," Nowak said.

Retro Football Kits - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Throughout history, people have been kicking a ball but the earliest scientific evidence suggest that it was an exercise from a military manual in the second and third BC in China it was called Cuju. Modern football took years in the making after the Chinese forgot about cuju.

Philadelphia Union

The big news of the day is that Jimmy McLaughlin is the Philadelphia Union's second homegrown signing. Ed has all the details here. McLaughlin said he has spoken to Zach Pfeffer about turning pro. ""It's a business and you're playing for a spot every day.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011 season.

What a roller-coaster ride 2011 was for Philadelphia's favorite Frenchman.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

With their first three picks in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, the Union selected two strikers and a holding midfielder. All teenagers and, thus, long term projects, fans were still a bit surprised to see a veteran striker and holding middie arrive during the offseason.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011 season.

It was a disappointing second year for Jack McInerney.

Peter Nowak spoke to the press today, only hours after the Union announced Costa Rican left back Porfirio Lopez as the team's fifth offseason signing.

"Porfirio [Lopez] has a great capacity going back and forth and taking pride at defending, and that's a part we take a look at very closely," Nowak said.

There is one thing you have give to the Philadelphia Union, so far during this and the previous off season they've had needs on the team and pretty much filled them up. After the inaugural season it was painfully obvious to anyone that wasn't Helen Keller that Chris Seitz was not going to be the answer at Goalkeeper.

Featured image: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011 season.

In an effort to prop up a struggling attack, the Union announced the signing of Serbian forward Veljko Paunovic on 13 June 2011.