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Philadelphia Union sign veteran defender Chris Albright
The 33-year-old full back will spend 2012 with Philadelphia, his fifth MLS club in a 13-year career.
Feb 13, 2012 3:06:00 PM
By Nick Rosano
The Philadelphia Union have signed 33-year-old defender Chris Albright, the team announced on Monday. Per league and club policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The veteran right back, a Philadelphia native, has played for D.C. United, the LA Galaxy, New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls since joining MLS in 1999. He was originally allocated to the Miami Fusion as part of the Project-40 program, but was traded to D.C. without making an appearance for the now-defunct Florida side.
During his time in MLS, Albright has won three MLS Cups – one with D.C. in 1999 and two with LA in 2002 and 2005 – and has been named to the All-Star team three times, all during his time with the Galaxy. He earned MLS Best XI honors in 2005 and was named the Galaxy's Defender of the Year in 2006.
Despite successful spells with Los Angeles and D.C., Albright's later career was plagued by injury troubles. After playing a full season following his trade to New England in 2008, he suffered a season-ending injury in 2009 after making just one appearance. He went to New York in 2010 and recaptured a starting spot, but saw his apperances limited by injury in 2011, leading New York to release him at the end of the season.
In addition to his MLS career, Albright has earned 22 caps for the U.S. senior national team, scoring one goal. He was named to the U.S. squad for the 2006 World Cup, but did not appear in a game in Germany. He was also part of the U-23 team that finished fourth at the 2000 Olympics, where he started six games for the U.S. and scored two goals.
The veteran right back, a Philadelphia native, has played for D.C. United, the LA Galaxy, New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls since joining MLS in 1999. He was originally allocated to the Miami Fusion as part of the Project-40 program, but was traded to D.C. without making an appearance for the now-defunct Florida side.
During his time in MLS, Albright has won three MLS Cups – one with D.C. in 1999 and two with LA in 2002 and 2005 – and has been named to the All-Star team three times, all during his time with the Galaxy. He earned MLS Best XI honors in 2005 and was named the Galaxy's Defender of the Year in 2006.
Despite successful spells with Los Angeles and D.C., Albright's later career was plagued by injury troubles. After playing a full season following his trade to New England in 2008, he suffered a season-ending injury in 2009 after making just one appearance. He went to New York in 2010 and recaptured a starting spot, but saw his apperances limited by injury in 2011, leading New York to release him at the end of the season.
In addition to his MLS career, Albright has earned 22 caps for the U.S. senior national team, scoring one goal. He was named to the U.S. squad for the 2006 World Cup, but did not appear in a game in Germany. He was also part of the U-23 team that finished fourth at the 2000 Olympics, where he started six games for the U.S. and scored two goals.
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