The Philadelphia Union added a pair of young players on Tuesday, signing defender Ken Tribbett from their USL club, Bethlehem Steel FC, and 2016 SuperDraft selection Cole Missimo.
Tribbett, 23, was an original signee for Bethlehem Steel this winter, but has been training with the Union throughout the 2016 preseason. A four-year starter at Philadelphia’s Drexel University, the 6-foot-2 center back turned pro in 2015, playing in 28 matches for USL club Harrisburg City Islanders.
“We have always valued Ken’s ability and potential, which was a prime reason we were so adamant to keep him within our organization,” Union sporting director Earnie Stewart said in a club statement. “However, once camp started, Ken displayed a next level in his game and it became evident he needed to be a permanent fixture with our first team. We’re delighted with his progress and we believe in his ability to make an impact for our club this year.”
The 64th overall selection in January’s SuperDraft, Missimo joins the Union after four years at Northwestern University. The winger is the fifth member of the 2016 draft class to sign with Philadelphia, joining rookie defenders Joshua Yaro, Keegan Rosenberry and Taylor Washington and first-year forward Fabian Herbers on the Union’s roster.
“We have really been encouraged by the young class we have assembled this offseason and Cole is an important piece to that,” said Stewart. “He will provide the kind of depth on the wing that we value here and we have the confidence he will harness his potential into developing into the player we know he can be.”
