CHESTER, PA (October 4, 2021) – Philadelphia Union today announced that Technical Director, Chris Albright, has come to an agreement with FC Cincinnati to become their new General Manager. Albright, who has been the Union’s Technical Director for more than seven years, will join Cincinnati as their new GM effective immediately.
“I want to thank Chris for the ambition and passion he has brought to his role these past seven years,” said Philadelphia Union Principal Owner Jay Sugarman. “Chris was a leader in our locker room as a player and continued that leadership as a member of our technical staff. His ability to recruit and develop players has helped drive our success and positioned the Union among the top clubs in the league. He has our appreciation and good wishes as he takes this next step in his career.”
“Chris has been extremely focused and efficient in accomplishing the club’s goals and has set the standard high when it comes to securing players and managing the salary cap,” said Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner. “He has an incredible grasp of the MLS roster rules and regulations that he introduced me to when I first arrived. I’m grateful for our collaboration over the last couple of seasons and wish him the best in Cincinnati.”
“Chris embodies everything about the city of Philadelphia. During his time here, he has been responsible for establishing a winning culture, one that led the club to lift its first trophy,” said Head Coach Jim Curtin. “He was able to turn a young franchise into a perennial playoff contender year in and year out, and his ability to recruit, sign and manage the salary cap is the best in MLS. Chris will always be a friend first, but he is also an incredible colleague who was able to grow the Philadelphia Union into the club it is today. I know he’ll have the same success in Cincinnati as he starts this new challenge and wish him all the best.”
“Once it became clear that Philly was getting a team in 2009, it quickly became a dream of mine to be a part of this organization, and I’m extremely grateful for my time here,” said Chris Albright. “I want to thank Jay Sugarman for giving me the opportunity and trust to help build this team into what it is today. I’d like to thank Richard Leibovitch for his unwavering support and enthusiasm. I would also like to extend a special thank you to Richie Graham for helping to make both playing here and being an executive a reality. Without him, there would be no Philadelphia Union for me. It’s been incredible to work with Ernst Tanner and thank him for his leadership and guidance, and everything that I’ve learned from him these past 3 years. Thank you to Pat Noonan, Garrison Draper, Josh Gros, Dan Nolan and Brandon Comisky, as well as all the coaches and support staff that make our jobs easy to do and a pleasure to come to work. Thanks to Jim Curtin for being the steady hand that has guided our club for these past 8 years. It’s been an honor to work alongside him in establishing a culture and continuing to set the bar higher every year. To the Philly fans, thank you for letting us hear the good and the bad and always keeping us honest. Most importantly, I’d like to thank my wife and kids for having the love and patience to continue on this soccer ride. It was the ultimate dream to bring a trophy back to a city that has always been my home. While I look forward to this new chapter with great excitement, the Union will always be a part of me.”
Albright joined the Union as an Assistant Technical Director in January 2014, before being promoted to Technical Director a few months later in June. Over the course of his seven seasons in his role, Albright was integral to both the recruitment and development of players as well as salary cap management, propelling Philadelphia to one of the top clubs in spend efficiency the last three seasons.
A Philadelphia native, Albright played high school soccer for Penn Charter before playing for the University of Virginia where he became an All-American. Following his two-year collegiate career, Albright signed with D.C. United where he helped D.C win its third MLS cup. Albright would go on to play for five clubs over 14 seasons in MLS where he played making 235 appearances and scoring 11 goals and adding 22 assists in regular season play. He also accumulated numerous awards and accolades over that time including: three MLS Cup titles, named a three-time MLS All-Star, a two-time winner of the Supporters’ Shield, a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, and earning a spot on the MLS Best XI in 2005 as well as earning 22 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
