(Terry McLaughlin/ASN Philadelphia)

Piotr Nowak put to rest the confusion behind the omission of Orozco-Fiscal from the Union’s roster in a conference call from Greece this afternoon.  

Orozco-Fiscal’s loan deal, according to Nowak, expired January 1, 2011 and when pressed as to why there was no mention of his return to San Luis before today, Nowak responded, “It seems to me that we forgot what the rules are and weren’t paying attention to the details of the contract”. The Union had the chance to act on the option to buy that is customary for all Major League Soccer loans but it was declined. He stressed that in spite of the roster compliance date, the Union’s roster is still not complete. The departure of Orozco-Fiscal, a 29 game starter, thins a defensive corps that with the earlier acquisitions of Faryd Mondragon and Carlos Valdes, many thought was much improved.

What’s your take? Did the Union miss out on not signing Orozco-Fiscal outright? Are you sad to see Orozco-Fiscal go? Worried about the defense all over again?  

Courtesy of Ergotelis FC's Website

Stefani Miglioranzi continued what’s fast becoming a Union trademark, finishing games – whether they’re regular season or preseason – with only 10 men on the field. Miglioranzi was ejected, the second ejection of the preseason, in the 88th minute of the friendly vs. Ergotelis FC played earlier today at the Pancretan Stadium. The Union were holding onto a 1-0 lead until the ejection of Miglioranzi led to a converted equalizer from the penalty spot.

In better news, however, new signing Carlos Ruiz found his first Union goal tapping a Justin Mapp service into the net only 27 minutes after stepping onto the field a member of the Union for his debut. Faryd Mondragon showed well in net, shutting out Ergotelis, before stepping aside for a younger line-up in the second half.

Surprisingly, we have rosters! They don’t look to be “in formation” but you can certainly see that Orozco Fiscal did not play a part in this lineup. The picture and rosters are courtesy of Ergotelis FC’s website:

First Half: Mondragon, Califf, Carroll, Harvey, Mapp, Miglioranzi, Mwanga, Nakazawa, Ruiz, Torres, Valdes.

Second Half: MacMath, Agorsor, M. Farfan, Mclnerney, Okugo, Pfeffer, Richter, G. Farfan (TRIALIST), Keon Daniel (TRIALIST), Houapeu

The picture above is clearly of the second half line-up and the Union players are as follows from the top left to the bottom right: Z. Pfeffer, Okugo, Macmath, TRIALIST (Keon Daniel), Miglioranzi, Valdes, Houapeu, McInerney, M. Farfan, Agorsor, TRIALIST (G. Farfan), Richter

What to pull from all this? That’s a formidable “starting XI” the Uion have fielded above. We also have confirmation that both Gabriel Farfan and Keon Daniel are still in camp with the squad and there’s a distinct possibility they could be sticking around. It’s also clear Michael Orozco Fiscal did not play a part in this friendly. Does that mean he is gone? No drawing concrete conclusion but it’s definitely a strong possibility.

More pictures, quotes from Piotr Nowak, Carlos Ruiz, Faryd Mondragon, and a game recap (translated) at the Ergotelis FC link above.

The Union – having flip-flopped dates – will now play third division Hersonissos FC at the same location this Wednesday, March 2.

AND THE WINNER IS…….

This proves that when Nowak says he is looking for the youth to win us games he means it.

Union_James, come forward and claim your prize. E-mail me at bbonnette@americansoccernews.net. If you are at the game on Saturday, let us know where and we will meet you at your seat and pass along your new Union scarf.

Thank you to all those who submitted entries – we will undoubtedly have more of these in the near future. One very soon as a matter of fact – probably after the August 5th game.

To check out other entries, head here.

[polldaddy poll=3523886]

Michael Orozco Fiscal’s first goal for the Union also produced an odd post-goal celebration that the cameras caught but most spectators missed out on. This photo needs a caption. Winner – decided by a reader vote – will win a Philadelphia Union scarf (one that we can hopefully hand deliver at the next home game).

We need 10 entries to make this worthwhile! This Philadelphia Union scarf needs a good home and you’re going to give it one.

We will pick what we feel are the three best entries and put them up to an ASN Philly reader vote sometime next week.  

Let’s hear’em (comment section)! See below for a bigger picture…

Michael Orozco-Fiscal debuted his thumb-sucking celebration against Toronto...on Saturday night, it was back (Terry McLaughlin/ASN Philadelphia)

Position: Defender

Born: February 7, 1986

Hometown: Orange, California

Height: 5′11″

Weight: 160

Previous Club: San Luis FC (FMF)

College: None

Salary: $150,000 (2010)

How acquired (Union): Acquired on loan from San Luis FC with an option to buy on January 29th, 2010

Stats

2010 with Philadelphia: 29 games, 2 goals, 1 assist

2006-2009 with San Luis F.C:  70 games, 3 goals

Media Scouting Report

“Looked the more comfortable and composed of the two center backs. Did well to hack clear a dangerous rebound in the opening stages and deflect an Edwards shot in the second half. Showed enough to prove he has a future at this level, especially with his physical play” – Kyle McCarthy, Goal.com after Orozco’s only senior USMNT cap

“The left sided back was out of his element against Japan, but could do no wrong today. He didn’t make many runs on the left flank but when he did the USA capitalized. Orozco essentially assisted — though it may not come back that way on the stat sheet — on the USA’s go-ahead goal late in the second half. Much better effort from the left back” – Cory Mull, Evening Sun

Did  you know?

Orozco has exactly one international cap to his name. An appearance in a 2-1, late qualifying loss to Trinidad and Tobago.

Played semi-pro soccer at a young age with his father in Mexico, they manned the midfield together

Orozco was discovered by a coach at Necaxa. He joined them for a while until that same coach moved to San Luis F.C. and presented his interest to sign Orozco.

Most American soccer fans will remember Orozco’s elbow and subsequent ejection early on in a key group match-up vs. Nigeria at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. There were even Facebook groups started requesting he be banished from all things US soccer. Glad to know that never happened.

If Orozco makes it through the third minute, he’s normally one of the best defenders on the field. Three minutes into his debut with San Luis, he was ejected. Three minutes into the match vs. Nigeria during the Olympics, he was sent off. Let’s hope he can make it through the third minute of Philadelphia’s debut! 

Did you know that before there were developmental contracts to sign, a young Michael Orozco auditioned both with the Galaxy and Chivas USA, unable to win a professional contract.

Fan Scouting Reports

Submit your thoughts on Orozco below. Any we like, we’ll post here.

Also check out our other player profiles HERE.