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Awaiting official word from Philadelphia Union on the hiring of Mike Sorber as an assistant coach #mls #usmnt
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) February 1, 2014
I can confirm that former #USMNT and #IMFC assistant Mike Sorber will replace Brendan Burke on the Union's coaching staff.
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) February 1, 2014
The Philadelphia Union worked quickly to fill their assistant coach vacancy after Brendan Burke's departure earlier this week, adding Mike Sorber to their coaching staff. Sorber previously worked as an assistant coach on the United States Men's National Team under Bob Bradley from 2007 to 2011.
It was a surprise to many when Brendan Burke decided to leave his post as assistant coach with the Philadelphia Union last Wednesday after resigning his position as head coach of Reading United a little over a month ago. According to Charlie Cuttone of Philly Soccer News, Burke left PPL Park to pursue college head coaching opportunities closer to his hometown Boston, Massachusetts.
Sorber, 42, was one of Bob Bradley's top aides during Bradley's four year tenure and worked alongside John Hackworth from 2007-2009. After Bradley was fired in 2011, Sorber left and joined the Montreal Impact as an assistant coach under Jesse Marsch. Marsch lasted one season, and when Marco Schällibaum took over head coaching duties Sorber became the head North American scout and assistant to the technical staff for the Impact. However Schällibaum was also shown the door after one season, and the Impact decided not to retain Sorber's services after they hired former Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas.
As a player, Sorber was capped 67 times for the USMNT including 4 starts at the 1994 World Cup. On the club level, Sorber played two seasons with Mexican side UNAM Pumas before joining Major League Soccer. In 5 seasons of MLS, Sorber racked up 125 appearances with the Kansas City Wizards, New York/New Jersey Metrostars, and Chicago Fire.
Sorber's only other coaching experience was 5 years as an assistant coach for his alma mater Saint Louis University from 2001 to 2006. Sorber also speaks fluent Spanish, which will greatly benefit dealing with players from the Latin American market like new Designated Player Cristian Maidana.