Philadelphia Union announced on Saturday that they have released five players – Aaron Wheeler and four trialists, Aaron Simmons, Aodhan Quinn, Navid Nasseri and Petros Kanakoudis – from their preseason roster.
Wheeler, 26, originally joined the Union prior to the 2013 season and made 25 appearances and nine starts. During that time, he had one goal and one assist.
“We want to thank Aaron for his time with the club and we wish him the best as his continues his career,” Union technical director Chris Albright said.
In addition to Wheeler, four other players were released from trial duties after the team ended its first phase in Clearwater, Fla. Simmons, a defender, was selected by the Union with the No. 51 overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Quinn, a midfielder, was selected by the Union with the No. 52 overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft and spent last season with USL-side Orlando City. Both Nasseri, a midfielder, and Kanakoudis, a defender, will re-join their clubs overseas after two-week trial runs with the Union.
The Union will once again depart for Clearwater for their final phase of Spring Training on Monday, Feb. 16.
