Philadelphia Union defeats Celtic FC in exhibition soccer match

The "trialist" tag on journeyman midfielder Eduardo Coudet is just a temporary formality.

In the Union's 1-0 defeat of a sluggish Celtic FC side last night at PPL Park, Coudet, who has been training with the Union for weeks, controlled the center of the pitch perhaps better than any of the other players who have had the role this season. He only played one half, but his diligence was rewarded in the 23rd minute after he slotted a crisp pass at the top of the 18-yard-box to forward Sebastien Le Toux, who bypassed Celtic goalkeeper Dominic Cervi and calmly placed the ball into the back of the net.

Union manager Peter Nowak said the team is "very close to making a deal" with the 35-year-old Argentine midfielder.

"He has been with us for a while and tonight we just wanted to give him some minutes, but we've known of his abilities for a while,'' Nowak said. "We are looking for someone to come in here and be a leader, and he fits that mold."

Given his trial status, Coudet was unavailable for comment, but with the summer transfer window closing, it appears Nowak plans to go the route of finding diamonds in the rough rather than precious stones, like other Eastern Conference counterparts. Just yesterday, Red Bull New York welcomed French star Thierry Henry as the latest big name to join the league.

Last season, Coudet played alongside Union defender Michael Orozco Fiscal at San Luis FC, of the Mexican First Division. During a 17-year career, Coudet has been involved with numerous teams, most notably Argentine first division club River Plate, and Celta Vigo, formerly a team in Spain's La Liga, but currently in the second division. It's said Coudet has more than 50 career goals, to go with his playmaking abilities.

"I have played with him for 2 years and he was always a playmaker and he gives a lot of assists . . . but he's a leader in the midfield and that is going to help us out a lot," said Orozco Fiscal. "Hopefully, he comes here with the same mentality he had in San Luis."

The win marked the Union's first against an international opponent - and outside of MLS - and the big-name opponent didn't appear to faze Nowak's young club.