Make no mistake about it, 2016 is a big year for Philadelphia Union captain Maurice Edu. Since joining the club prior the 2014 season, the 29-year-old has rotated between center back and his natural defensive midfielder role, often to fill a pressing need for head coach Jim Curtin.
This year, coming off a nagging groin injury that finally resulted in surgery, Edu’s role remained a bit of a question mark as Curtin and sporting director Earnie Stewart played coy for much the preseason. On one hand, Edu’s sheer ability led him to being a valuable asset on the back line, trying to salvage a group leaking too many goals.