Soccer Philadelphia might make steal of the decade from RBNY Academy by Jake Landau February 3, 2017 Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin (Photo by Double G Media) Adam Najem left college as one of the best number 10’s to grace his level of play in the past decade. The pedigree and legend of the Akron college program continues on with Najem. He had been involved with the New York Red Bulls Academy since a young age and showed well at each key age. When the Red Bulls lowballed him with the minimum rookie salary, he looked for other suitors. Philadelphia acquired his rights before the preseason started and he has apparently lit up the training fields in Clearwater, Florida where the Union are currently training. Coach Jim Curtin on a conference call today stated, “Najem has been excellent in training. He has gotten goals and assists in training at a level that would translate to MLS. He has been very strong and covered more ground than anticipated according to the training data. I’m not saying he is the next Mauro Diaz but his size and ability are comparable to a Mauro Diaz or Benny Feilhaber. He has great attributes for a young number ten. He would have been a top 5 player in the combine if he was included this year.” When asked about the potential for a signing, Curtin elaborated, “We’ll see what’s coming in the next few days, hopefully something can come from him.” If this initial assessment from Curtin is accurate, this could turn out to be a certified insane trade from the New York Red Bulls. Credit has to be given as the Red Bulls Academy continues to pump out incredible talents, but to leave a player like Najem on the table seems to be a lazy decision. Not only did they lose out on one of the best prospects in a position that needs depth (Kljestan doesn’t get any younger), but they gave a key rival a piece of the pie. Post Views: 1,362 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Jake Landau Latest posts by Jake Landau (see all) Union set record with fourth straight win - May 24, 2017 Union tops Dynamo for third straight win - May 18, 2017 Union Blow Past DC for Second Straight Win - May 14, 2017 Union and Red Bulls Limping Into Weekend Contest - May 5, 2017 Related TopicsAdam NajemAkronjim curtinNew York Red Bullsphiladelphia unionSoccer Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 The Most Catastrophic Boat Trip Since the Titanic; the New York Giants by John Venezia | posted on October 4, 2020 Women in Sports Interview Series: It’s a sure bet with Philadelphia native, Erin Kate Dolan (VIDEO) by Denise Gonzalez | posted on March 17, 2020 Exclusive Interview: SNY Personality, Maria Marino, Shares Career Journey (VIDEO) by Sunil Sunder Raj | posted on January 28, 2021 How Former NFL Scout and Coach Chris Landry Became an Entrepreneur and Sportscaster by Anthony Paradiso | posted on March 23, 2021 More in Soccer You Know I’m Right, Episode 95: Soccer Commentator Tommy Smyth (Audio/Video) On the 95th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... Competition Quickly Rises For Serie A Competition Rises For Serie A: Serie A is a professional Italian Soccer league where... Trinity Rodman Registers for the Womens NWSL Draft Dennis Rodman’s Daughter registers for the NWSL Draft At the age of 18, Trinity... From Inspired to Being an Inspiration: Sports Broadcaster & “The Morning Roast” Host Kate Scott (VIDEO) 95.7 FM “Morning Roast” radio host Kate Scott is a woman of many firsts... NWSL and A+E Networks announce three year broadcasting deal Erica Skroski discusses 2017 College Draft and evolving Sky Blue FC culture