Union Claim Nizar Khalfan From Whitecaps, Release Gonzalez And Holder In Waiver Draft

by Scott Kessler on Nov 23, 2011 6:01 PM EST in Offseason Content

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 6: Nizar Khalfan #16 of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC celebrates his goal in the second half against Real Salt Lake at the Bell Pitch at BC Place Oct 6, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His goal made the score 3-0. (Photo by Kim Stallknecht/Getty Images)

After losing veteran midfielder Justin Mapp to the Montreal Impact in the Expansion Draft, the Philadelphia Union claimed fellow midfielder Nizar Khalfan from the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Waiver Draft.

The Union also released central defender Juan Diego Gonzalez and goalkeeper Thorne Holder. Waiving Gonzalez and Holder opened up two international roster spots, one of which was needed to acquire Khalfan.

Khalfan is a Tanzanian international, having represented his country in 25 officially sanctioned FIFA games, scoring five times. The 23-year-old's time with the Whitecaps wasn't nearly as successful as his international career, spending 48 games between Vancouver's USL and MLS editions, scoring only three times. He potentially fills in directly at left midfielder for the departed Mapp, but worries about his endurance make him more likely to be an impact substitute later in games.

Each of the Union's two released players did not see the field last season. Gonzalez and Holder both spent time either not being included in the team's game day squad of 18, or with the medical staff.

Holder was hampered all season by multiple injuries, including a couple of concussions. The former Trinidad and Tobago youth international started the season off as the Union's second string goalkeeper, but injuries and strong showings from fellow rookie Zac MacMath in practice pushed Holder down the depth chart. Late in the season, Holder was injured against the Columbus Crew in a reserve game and did not return from it. Emergency goalkeeper Chase Harrison joined the Union, taking the role of back up while Faryd Mondragon recovered from surgery on his right ring finger.

Gonzalez was signed in August of 2010 and made a few starts for the Union, but was quickly relegated to the bench, where he was seldom seen by the end of the 2011 MLS season. The 31-year-old has had a hard time settling with any club during his 14-year soccer career, playing with 10 different teams over that span, none for longer than two seasons. The Colombian center back made around $193,000 in guaranteed compensation last season, making him one of the worst values in MLS.

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Ya know, I’m satisfied with how today turned out. I appreciate the contributions Justin made to the Union in the past year and a half, but we were likely to lose somebody and I’m more excited to see some of our up and coming talent on the lineup sheet than I am to see Mapp.

A third string goalie eating up an international slot doesn’t make much sense in a league with restricted rosters. No offense to Thorne but it wasn’t meant to be.

JDG was hailed as a solution to our defensive woes last summer and then became a very expensive depth player who never saw the pitch and ate up an international slot. Too expensive, no production, needed to be moved along.

Had the day been all about losing players, I might be a bit more mixed in my reaction. But just when you think the FO doesn’t pay attention to the little tricks and twists of MLS rules, Nowak and Hackworth snag a speedy winger in the waiver draft. You point out that he may not be a 90 minute player, but it appears that as a sub (22 appearances, 9 starts, 1066 minutes) he was effective enough to create 4 goals and score 1. Nowak is about the contibutors, the “I can have 4 guys for the price of Feilhaber” players and it sounds like for 60K, Khalfan is that kind of guy.

by PSPTim on Nov 23, 2011 8:08 PM EST reply actions

I agree.....

but the truth is, we got better just by Mapp being picked. minus 3 nice left foot shots on goal a year about sums it up. Its big DP time in Philly. at least I hope.

by Damodeg on Nov 23, 2011 8:17 PM EST reply actions

I also agree...

We opened up a bunch of money from players that were not contributing at all, as well as dumping off Mapp. He had his moments of brightness but overall he did not contribute much. It is nice to see that some of the young guns will have some more room to grow.

by UnionFan11 on Nov 24, 2011 2:44 AM EST reply actions