Union Adds Goalkeeper; Signs Sapong

Reports From Philadelphia Union

CHESTER, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union has acquired English-born goalkeeper Matt Jones via loan from Belenenses of Portugal’s Primeira Liga, pending the approval of an international transfer certificate (ITC). Currently on loan at C.D. Tondela, also in Portugal’s top division, Jones holds a United States Permanent Resident Card and will not occupy an international spot upon joining the club. He will be on loan for the remainder of the 2016 season.

“Matt’s experience and ability in big games will be a key asset to this goalkeeping group,” Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart said. “We will count on him to become an immediate contributor, both in terms of his mentoring ability for our younger keepers, but also for his pure shot-stopping abilities.”

Jones, 29, has been with Belenenses since 2012, helping the then-second division club win promotion during the 2012-13 season. That season, Jones appeared in 35 games and kept 16 clean sheets, leading Belenenses to the top of the table in the Segunda Liga. The following season, Jones appeared in 29 games and kept 11 clean sheets. Jones was loaned to C.D. Tondela prior to the 2015-16 season, where he’s appeared in 11 games. He finished his career at Belenenses with 89 appearances, 35 clean sheets and 1.07 goals against average. Prior to Belenenses, Jones signed his first professional contract with Portugal’s C.D. Santa Clara in 2009, where he played until 2011.

Prior to his career in Portugal, Jones was in the United States, attending college at Sacred Heart University of the Northeast Conference (Division I). While there, he was a Second Team All-NEC selection as a freshman in 2005, leading the Pioneers to their first NEC Tournament appearance. Jones was also a two-time First Team All-NEC selection and went on to have a brief stint with the Western Mass Pioneers of the Premier Development League in the United States. He played in four games and made his debut against Harrisburg City Islanders.

Prior to his time in the states, Jones spent time in the Port Vale youth academy – his hometown team. He also spent time at West Bromwich Albion.

PLAYER PROFILE
Matt Jones
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: May 11, 1986 (age 29)
Place of birth: Stoke-on-Trent, England
Citizenship: England and U.S. Permanent Resident
College: Sacred Heart (Fairfield, Conn.)
Height: 6-3
Last club: C.D. Tondela (on loan from Belenenses).
Transaction: Joined the Philadelphia Union as a Discovery Signing on a one-year loan from Belenenses on Feb. 9, 2016.

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CHESTER, Pa.  – The Philadelphia Union has signed forward C.J. Sapong to a three-year contract ahead of the 2016 MLS Regular Season, the club announced Wednesday.

“We value the energy C.J. brings every day and we’re very happy to have him committed to our club for the long term,” Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart said. “His athleticism and natural finishing abilities make him a true difference maker and we have the utmost confidence he will settle in as a leader for the team, ultimately becoming a building block for our club for years to come.”

Sapong, 27, joined the Union on Dec. 8, 2014 from Sporting Kansas City in a trade for the Union’s highest selection in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. During the 2015 season, Sapong appeared in 27 games and started 20. He was the Union’s highest goal scorer, finding the back of the net nine times, while adding four assists. He tied the franchise record for consecutive games with a goal, four, which led to being named a finalist for the MLS Player of the Month in June.

Sapong joined MLS in 2011 after Sporting Kansas City selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft. Two minutes into his first professional game, Sapong broke the league record for the fastest goal scored by a rookie. He was later named the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year with five goals and five assists in his first season. Overall, in his five seasons in MLS, Sapong has scored 29 goals and made 13 assists.

In 2016, the Philadelphia Union will open its seventh season in Major League Soccer at Talen Energy Stadium. The season opener will be at FC Dallas on March 6, with home opener coming two weeks later on March 20 against New England Revolution. For ticket information, visit philadelphiaunion.com/tickets or call 1-877-21-UNION.

PLAYER PROFILE
C.J. Sapong
Position: Forward
Date of birth: Dec. 27, 1988 (age 27)
Place of birth: Manassas, Va.
Citizenship: USA
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Transaction: Signed a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Union on Feb. 10, 2016.
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