Philadelphia Union Shopping Former First Overall SuperDraft Pick Danny Mwanga?

by Scott Kessler on Jan 11, 2012 7:14 PM EST in Offseason Content

COMMERCE CITY, CO - JUNE 04: (L-R) Carlos Valdes #5 and Danny Mwanga #10 of the Philadelphia Union leave the field after Mwanga scored the equalizing goal as they played to a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on June 4, 2011 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Among the Philadelphia Union's many offseason moves was the acquisition of withdrawn forward, and occasional winger, Josue Martinez. The Costa Rican international striker was expected to help push Danny Mwanga and Jack McInerney for a starting role alongside Sebastien Le Toux. However, according to Soccer By Ives, the Union's addition of Martinez may have made Mwanga surplus to the team's requirements in 2012.

Ives writes in his last mock 2012 MLS SuperDraft that the Union are "believed to be shopping forward Danny Mwanga" and named Dom Dwyer as Mwanga's replacement if a trade went through. Dwyer did not make a case for a top ten selection after a somewhat average combicombine, but did score 16 goals in 21 games last year for the University of South Florida.

Mwanga was drafted first overall by the Union in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, making him the first player ever drafted by the Philadelphia franchise. Though showed off his potential during his rookie year, Mwanga's 2011 was filled with disappointment in playing time and effort, based on rumors that the 21-year-old striker was not giving his full efforts during training sessions (which may have led to a benching at one point).

2012 will mark the first season that Mwanga will count against the Union's salary cap, and his salary is due to be around $230,000 in guaranteed compensation. Mwanga graduated the Generation Adidas program after averaging around 1,500 minutes played per season.

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“…based on rumors that the 21-year-old striker was not giving his full efforts during training sessions (which may have led to a benching at one point).”

When did that happen? I follow the team really closely and don’t remember those rumors. Was it based on something or just conjecture because he wasn’t getting playing time? I am honestly curious, because it would make a lot of sense. However, I can’t really believe that they would be shopping him?!

by NBizz5 on Jan 11, 2012 7:22 PM EST reply actions

There have been rumors about a lack of effort.

Not substantive enough to write articles on.

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by Scott Kessler on Jan 11, 2012 7:28 PM EST up reply actions

Not so sure if I like this or not. What sort of return could you get for Mwanga? Another pick? Money? A player?

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by ayydamn on Jan 11, 2012 7:46 PM EST reply actions

Also not a fan

Unless it’s because of some “behind the scenes” reasons we don’t really know.

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by iamrobk on Jan 11, 2012 7:57 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah I mean if Mwanga lives upto his full potential, we’ll probably lose him to a supreme team eventually, but I’m sure thats a ways out. If he’s slacking and all, then this might not be a bad move if you get the right return.

Season Ticket Holder - Supporters Section of the Philadelphia Union
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Rutgers University Meteorology Undergrad

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by ayydamn on Jan 11, 2012 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

Well, he’s kinda expensive too which plays a role — it’s not just a question of is Mwanga good, but is he better than the alternative of what you could use that salary cap money for.

Anyhow, I could see the Union seeking an international slot and maybe allocation money (to pay off Torres’ transfer?) and part of any Mwanga trade.

by Laaaaazzz on Jan 11, 2012 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve got one name for the Whitecaps to trade you guys, and it’s Al Location.

Manager at Vancouver Whitecaps and western Canadian soccer website Eighty Six Forever and infrequently-posting flunky at Edmonton Oilers blog The Copper & Blue.

by Benjamin Massey on Jan 11, 2012 7:59 PM EST reply actions

This would be the first move by the front office that I really didn't like.

Sophomore slump is common, give the kid another year.

by Dean_Moriarty on Jan 11, 2012 8:00 PM EST reply actions

To be honest, it depends on what it nets us...

If it was an amazing deal that some one wanted to over pay stupid value for him then be my guest.

What would make you feel better about getting rid of Danny?

<----------- Crazier than a shit house rat

by Jerral Wayne Jones on Jan 11, 2012 9:21 PM EST up reply actions

who knows if it is all about sophmore slump, could be because hes now on the Unions Salary, or some other reason then just his play. Doesn’t mean i like it, but if it happens and nets us something worthwhile i wouldn’t be against it.

by Rhayes on Jan 11, 2012 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

Two Words…..

International Spots.
Some other teams have them, we need them.

by unionchris on Jan 11, 2012 10:11 PM EST reply actions

A second rounder and DeLuz got one from DCU for NYRB.

Mwanga for spots would be ridiculously undervaluing him.

Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank

by Scott Kessler on Jan 11, 2012 10:14 PM EST up reply actions

not straight up of course, but they must be looking for spots included in a possible deal

by unionchris on Jan 11, 2012 10:19 PM EST up reply actions

A team would...

…have to be very sold on Mwanga as a real contributor to trade for his contract, in my opinion. Mwanga’s guaranteed compensation was $226K on GA in 2011. If you compare with Brek Shea, who came off GA after 2010, his 2010 compensation was $108K, and went up to $128K off GA in 2011.

The best 2011 scenario for Mwanga and the Union is that they tried to keep him GA by limiting his time, and that his loss of minutes contributed to a lack of form. I think Danny stlll has plenty of potential. It’s a matter of who will be on the books for paying that $230+K salary, and whether he can return to the form that had everyone so high on him in the last offseason.

by earl_of_reed on Jan 12, 2012 7:38 AM EST reply actions

Also...

Why is everyone so high on Roger Torres? What exactly did he contribute last season? Assists? Goals? If you can calculate how much his running around the field and losing the ball helps the team, he’d be MVP. Obviously, the guy has energy, and is a nice spark, but it only helped the team about once or twice all season. He’s no David Silva, setting up goals with great passes. But then again, the U front line is no Man City.

Torres Stats: 25 games, 6 SOG, 3 goals, 2 assists.
Mwanga Stats: 28 games, 20 SOG, 5 goals, 4 assists.

by brianveitz on Jan 12, 2012 8:33 AM EST reply actions

Torres

Torres isn’t a striker. You wouldn’t measure his output merely in goals and assists. Those of us who watch every minute of every Union game realize the skill and creativity demonstrated by Torres. He can affect the outcome of a game in ways that aren’t necessarily tangible on the stat sheet.

by Buzzkill_Ed on Jan 12, 2012 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

^ this

Torres provides a creativity needed and lacking when he’s not in there. Him and Marfan are probably our 2 most creative players and open all types of possibilties with their great passing (especially chippers).

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by Talon Talent on Jan 12, 2012 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

makes sense....

I argued this point a couple of months ago about how the Union do not designate players so that they stay on the MLS payroll and not the Unions payroll. Mwanga @230K is alot of money for a player scoring roughly 6 goals a year, but i think we all agree he has a ton of potential. They have a ton of salary not counting against the cap when you consider GA, home grown and Apprentice players.

Everyone points to this as investing in youth, but it really is an investment in the bank balance sheet. Last year they did not use roster spots 26-30 so they could have additional allocation money and didn’t have to spend from their own pockets. I think a little depth at D could have gone along way in those slots, especially considering it costs me $7.50 for a Miller lite at the stadium!

I just feel, more like i surmise, that Novak and company are mandated to to the best they can without going into ownerships pockets.

It could become Eagles 2.0 Keep them good, keep the paying customers paying and filling the stadium, but do not impact the bottom line. If they win, great! If they don’t, well as long as the customers keep coming back, oh well Think about it, if they used a DP slot for Adu or for the cost of the transfer for Martinez was paid utilizing a DP slot then they could have easily fit Mwanga under the cap with room to spare.

Instead, they will trade Mwanga for a draft slot (read a G.A. player) and an intl slot. Supporters buy into the youth movement theme and Sak and crew take the money and run……

Let me state in closing that I like Mwanga, but I’m not in love with him. It is just that this potential move could be indicative of things to come and representative of things that have allready come to pass.

by dangeroo on Jan 12, 2012 9:44 AM EST reply actions