Philadelphia Union To Play Friendly Against Deportivo Saprissa As Part Of Josue Martinez Transfer Deal

(All translation help from @barbcvphilly)

A Costa Rican news outlet, Teletica Deportes, is reporting that Deportivo Saprissa will play the Philadelphia Union in a summer friendly during the 2012 MLS season. Deportes says that the Union areed to play Saprissa as part of the two teams' transfer that ended with striker Josue Martinez joining Philadelpia.

Teletica listed the possible date of the friendly as during the summer, June of 2012, but did not include if the Union would host Deportivo at home at PPL Park, or on the road in Costa Rica. Due to the length of the trip, and the timing of the friendly (during the 2012 MLS regular seaosn), the game would most likely be played at PPL Park.

Last year, the Union played two friendlies in the Philadelphia area, beating English Premier League club Everton 1-0 and losing to La Liga giants Real Madrid 2-1. Saprissa's gameday squad for the friendly may include members of the Morada's academy system, similar to rosters that the Union employed against both Everton and Madrid last year.

The Union have yet to play a soccer team from Central America in any type of game, and have only played one game against any non-MLS North American team, a friendly win against CD Chivas de Guadalajara in 2010.