Philadelphia Union pass on Honduran vet Wilson Palacios, look to extend Fernando Aristeguieta's stay

Union pass on Honduran vet Palacios, look to extend Aristeguieta's stay

Wilson Palacios_Honduras

CHESTER, Pa. – Mired with the worst points-per-game average in MLS, the Philadelphia Union will have a lot of decisions to make when the summer transfer window opens next month.


They’ve already made one of them.


Although the Union are looking to improve their roster, head coach Jim Curtin said on Tuesday that the club decided to pass on English Premier League veteran and Wilson Palacios.


The 30-year-old Honduran midfielder, who played in the last two World Cups, had been on trial with the Union earlier this month but didn’t impress the technical staff enough to get offered what would have had to have been a hefty contract.


“We’re not going to move forward with Wilson,” Curtin said. “He’s a player we respected a great deal -- a guy who played at the highest level. But in terms of fit right now and need, we’re not in the process.”



Ravaged by injuries, the Union will continue to look for upgrades at certain positions. They’ll also have to figure out solutions for a couple of players on their roster, including high-priced goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi, who they’ve been shopping for months and has recently been linked to teams in Turkey.


On top of that, Curtin told reporters Tuesday that striker Fernando Aristeguieta’s loan from French club FC Nantes expires soon but that they’re looking to find a way to keep him longer.


Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.