Who will soon be leaving the Union? In a story that is otherwise a yawner—now that he's actually gone, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Marc Narducci offers some criticism of Carlos Ruiz and says the Union are better off without him—is included a piece of very big news for Union fans. Describing the efforts the Union have underway to acquire a "young international striker" in the summer transfer window, a source tells Narducci that the Union "will make another move with one of their own players.

The NASL announced Thursday afternoon that Strikers midfielder Eduardo Coudet has been suspended by the NASL for 6-games following last nights league match against the Puerto Rico Islanders.

According to witnesses and visible from the Puerto Rico Islanders highlight video on Youtube, Coudet protested a penalty kick incorrectly given by the referee.

The NASL announced Thursday afternoon that Strikers midfielder Eduardo Coudet has been suspended by the NASL for 6-games following last nights league match against the Puerto Rico Islanders.

According to witnesses and visible from the Puerto Rico Islanders highlight video on Youtube, Coudet protested a penalty kick incorrectly given by the referee.

[As we inch closer and closer to the Union's 2011 season opener this Saturday in Houston, the Brotherly Game will analyze the roster as it stands heading into the team's first competitive game. Today's feature on defense will be followed by the midfielders tomorrow, and the forwards on Friday.]

After an inaugural season in which the Philadelphia Union allowed 49 goals (T-2nd worst in league), it didn't come as much of a surprise when the team made a splash in the transfer market to upgrade its defense.

Seattle set a high bar for expansion teams in 2009. And it was clear early on that the Union would struggle to reach similar heights during their inaugural campaign.

Still, 31 points from 30 games did not do justice to a team that seemed to undo quality performances with sudden and unexpected errors.

The Philadelphia Union announced on Tuesday that they have waived Cristian Arrieta.

Arrieta had fifteen starts in sixteen appearances for the club with 1,343 minutes played. His first start, in the Union season opener against DC United, came only a day after he signed with the club.

The solidification of the defensive lineup with Sheanon Williams at right back and Michael Orozco Fiscal partnering with Danny Califf in the middle resulted in the marginalization of Arrieta as a starter.

By AVI CREDITOR

The training wheels have been taken off, and the Philadelphia Union is ready to ride with the big boys.

After an inaugural season that ended well short of a postseason berth, the Union has made a number of personnel moves to shore up what was a shaky defense in 2010 while providing support for its budding attackers as well.