Union Names New Assistant Coach

Report From Union.com

Philadelphia Union have added former U.S. Men’s National Team player and coach Mike Sorber to the technical staff as an assistant coach, the club announced today. Sorber, who also played in MLS, coached alongside Union Team Manager John Hackworth with the USMNT and remains the only U.S. international to have played for and coached the United States in a FIFA World Cup. He joins the Union with over 10 years of coaching experience and holds a USSF “A” Coaching License.

“I’m really pleased to be joining the Union and am looking forward to getting started with the club this year,” Sorber said. “I have always admired this organization and the passion that the fans in Philadelphia have for their teams and I’m grateful to play a part in this team’s success going forward.”

Sorber began his coaching career in 2001, working as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Saint Louis University. He joined the USMNT in 2007, where he worked under Bob Bradley. During his time on staff as an assistant coach with the U.S. National Team, he helped the squad capture the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and knock off No. 1 Spain in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Sorber also coached the 2010 USMNT FIFA World Cup squad that finished first in Group C and advanced to the Round of 16. The Missouri native spent two seasons with the Montreal Impact (2011-2013) before joining the Philadelphia Union.

“Having worked with Mike before, I know that we not only share a common coaching philosophy, but a level of trust and confidence with each other,” Team Manager John Hackworth said. “He is someone that knows this league very well as both a player and a coach and we’re excited about adding someone to our staff with his knowledge and experience.”

From 1992-1998, Sorber played in 67 matches with the USMNT National Team. He also represented his country in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, starting in all four matches the Americans played.

Sorber began his professional career with UNAM Pumas in the Mexican Primera Division, where he played in 51 games during two seasons with the club. He also was named to the Mexican First Division All-League Team, becoming the first American player to achieve that honor

Sorber joined Major League Soccer and was allocated to the Kansas City Wizards in 1996. During his five seasons MLS, he made over 170 League appearances with three different clubs (Kansas City Wizards, New York MetroStars and Chicago Fire), recording nine goals and 17 assists.