Picault: ‘I came to play in the city of brotherly love, and you became my home’

News of Fafa Picault’s trade to FC Dallas on Tuesday officially marked the end of an era for a charismatic fan favorite who built a passionate following among the Philadelphia Union fanbase during his three seasons in Chester.

The news wasn’t completely unexpected — his contract was set to expire at the end of the year and his skillset as a speedy winger was better suited for the old system under Sporting Director Earnie Stewart — but it still was met with well wishes and scores of messages being posted online of favorite memories by an appreciative fanbase.

Picault posted a farewell message of his own on his Instagram emblematic of how mutual the feelings were between the 28-year-old and the fanbase.

The Union will be getting back $300,000 in guaranteed general allocation money for 2020 and up to $75,000 in general allocation money for 2021, which may be another signal that Sporting Director Ernst Tanner is teeing up a marquee signing or two, but the gazelle’s shoes will be difficult to fill.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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