Your Take: Why Is Juan Diego Gonzalez Still On The Union?

This story will be a trial for a possible weekly piece asking for your opinions on a certain subject. The Brotherly Game will present the facts and link to any tBG articles involving the question posed during any given week. We will then publish a follow up story within the next couple of days with your answers. Please feel free to write as much, or as little, as you want in the comments section below. It's your time to shine.

Why is Juan Diego Gonzalez still a part of the Philadelphia Union?

The Colombian defensive veteran has not made an appearance with the Union's first team in the 2011 MLS season and is being paid over $193,000 in guaranteed compensation. Gonzalez started all 7 of his appearances in 2010, when he filled in during periods of injury and change in the Union back four. His 630 minutes played in 2010 mark the only minutes of his nearly one year MLS career.

Despite being available, Gonzalez wasn’t taken with the team to play the Portland Timbers earlier in the season, when both Jordan Harvey (suspension) and Danny Califf (illness) were unavailable. The center defender has seen more time in the team’s gameday 18, but again wasn’t used when Carlos Valdes (illness) did not make the trip to San Jose this past weekend.

At only 30 years of age, Gonzalez has played for 10 teams – including the Union – throughout his 14-year professional career (Envigado, Independiente Medellín, Almagro, San Lorenzo, Santa Fe, Santos Laguna, Once Caldas, La Equidad, Deportivo Pereira, Philadelphia Union).

What are your thoughts?