David Accam is a dream come true for the Union.
"At the end of the season, we talked about adding players and David was at the top of our list," Union sporting director Earnie Stewart said. "I didn't think that would be a real option. When it comes along, it's incredible."
Shocking as it was for Stewart, the Union pulled 27-year-old Accam from the Chicago Fire for allocation money at the 2018 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 19. With his ability to create one-on-one opportunities and punish teams on the counter-attack, Accam, who had 14 goals and eight assists last season, is a perfect fit in the Union's 4-2-3-1 system, and the exact type of "difference-maker" the team was looking for.
"David is known in the league for his speed, but when we scouted him we noted just how good he is on the ball," Union manager Jim Curtin said Tuesday at the official introduction of Accam at Talen Energy Stadium. "The space he creates for others because he is so dangerous. When he gets one-on-one, his quality will take over games and it'll create a lot of space for the rest of our players."
From Accam's perspective, he's joining an established attacking group. Specifically mentioning Union leading scorer C.J. Sapong and winger Fafa Picault, Accam expects to have space to work.
"We have enough quality on this team already," he said. "I just have to do my part."
On top of his offensive acumen, Accam knows MLS. What attracted the Union to the speedster is not only his skill but his familiarity with the league. Unlike European players that take time to adjust to the climate, travel and style of play, Accam should make an instant impact on the Union.
"He's been now, for multiple years, a top attacking player in our league," Curtin said. "He's got the statistics to back it up. The fact that he has a familiarity with the league, he knows the defenders will be grabbing and kicking him for 90 minutes, and that matters a great deal. It makes the transition more seamless.
"He's a great fit for us."
But snagging that perfect fit wasn't free. Acquired in one of the largest trades in Union history, the attacker was moved by the Fire in exchange for $1.2 million in combined allocation money. According to Stewart, the speedster, who was ripe for a new deal, signed an extension with the Fire before the team moved him to Philadelphia.
"Our understanding is that David has an obligation now with the Union through 2020," Stewart said.
Despite scratching out a significant name off their wishlist, the Union aren't quite done adding players, with the expectation that they bring in a playmaking midfielder. But that doesn't mean they'll be going on a shopping spree.
"I think we are in a better place than we were last year with the acquisition of David," Stewart said. "There will be a little more happening but not much more because I believe the foundation is solid. With the acquisition of David and one more player in the near future, we'll be in good shape to compete for the playoffs."
