The Philadelphia Union Release Goalkeeper Thorne Holder

Thorne Holder, a former Trinidad and Tobago youth international, was released by the Philadelphia Union today.

Holder started the season off as the Union’s second string goalkeeper, but a concussion and other injury problems relegated him to last on the depth chart, behind Faryd Mondragon and Zac McMath. The 25-year-old had not seen any playing time with the Union’s first team during the 2011 MLS season, but had played a bit versus Everton in last Wednesday’s friendly.

By waiving Holder, the Union open up an international slot that can be used on a new player, if the Union so choose to use it as such. The team still has one discovery claim left for the season, which would allow the Union to bring in one more non-MLS or non-designated player onto the team for this season.

The Union are down to only 23 players out of a possible 30 roster spots, leaving them with one of the smallest rosters in MLS.