Earnie Stewart is the Philadelphia Union’s new sporting director
USMNT legend and National Soccer Hall of Famer Earnie Stewart is returning to MLS. Stewart has signed on as sporting director for the Philadelphia Union, leaving a similar role at Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar. Stewart officially takes the role in January.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to come to the Philadelphia Union and help create a winning team which the fans can identify with,” Stewart said in a press statement. “I look forward to working with everyone at the Union to establish a clear playing philosophy and use my experience to create a competitive edge in our methods of recruiting and developing players at all levels of the club, from the Academy up through the First Team. From the first moment I spoke with the Union about the direction they wanted to go I was excited about the long term opportunity and my ability to help execute on our shared vision. I would like to thank AZ for giving me the chance to follow my ambition in coming back to the United States and I remain committed to fulfilling my duties here at AZ Alkmaar through the end of the year,” said Stewart. “I will work my hardest to hit the ground running for the Union and be ready for the important decisions the club will make entering the 2016 season.”
The Philadelphia Union finished 9th in the Eastern Conference in the recently concluded 2015 regular season, missing the playoffs by 12 points. They were runners-up in the US Open Cup, losing the final to Sporting Kansas City at PPL Park. The club parted ways with CEO Nick Sakiewicz earlier this month. Philadelphia has been looking for a sporting director since last year.
As a player, Stewart spent two seasons in MLS, winning MLS Cup with DC United in 2004. He spent most of his playing career in the Netherlands with VVV Venlo, Willem II, NAC Breda, and finishing with a return to VVV Venlo for the 2004-05 season. He has 101 caps with the USMNT, playing in three World Cups. Stewart was technical director at NAC before moving to AZ as director of football affairs in the summer of 2010.
