Yet another freshly-retired MLS player officially joined the league's coaching ranks on Tuesday, as the Philadelphia Union announced that local product and former defender Chris Albright has been named the team’s assistant technical director.
“I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my career, and am grateful for this opportunity with the Philadelphia Union,” said Albright in a statement. “It was an honor to finish my playing career with my hometown club and I’m hopeful for more successes here as I transition into a new role with the organization.
“I’m obviously passionate about this area, the product we put on the field, and the development of soccer in this region as a whole.”
Albright retired in October after a 15-year playing career that included 235 matches, 11 goals and 22 assists with five MLS clubs. A striker who was converted into a fullback early in his pro career, he won the MLS Cup with D.C. United (1999) and the LA Galaxy (2002, 2005), earned MLS Best XI honors in 2005 and was selected to the MLS All-Star team in three consecutive seasons (2004-2006) as a member of the Galaxy.
Albright also earned 22 caps with the US men's national team and was a member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup team in Germany.
- Find further coverage at PhiladelphiaUnion.com
His duties for the Union will revolve around player management and movement, and will also include business development and community outreach efforts throughout his hometown.
“We’re extremely excited to have Chris join our staff,” Union manager John Hackworth said. “He is a respected figure among our coaching staff and in our locker room and his knowledge and experience as an MLS player will be an excellent addition.”
