Union announce signing of Jamaican international defender Alvas Powell

The Philadelphia Union has announced the signing of defender Alvas Powell as the newest addition to the team. The Union announced the signing Thursday, saying that Powell was on a senior contract for a minimum of one year.

“We are excited to add Alvas to our defensive unit,” Ernst Tanner, Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, said in a news release. “He brings almost eight years of MLS experience to the club as well as the mentality and work ethic it takes to win a cup. He has the physicality required to contribute to all phases of play and adds important depth to our backline.”

Powell, 26, has had plenty of prior MLS experience before joining the Union and has spent over seven years playing for various MLS clubs. Most recently, he represented first place Al-Hilal in Sudan from January until April of this year, however, Powell only played in one match for the Sudani club.

Powell first came into Major League Soccer after a loan from the Jamaican side Portmore United to the Portland Timbers in 2013. When Powell’s loan expired, Portland gave him a first-team contract, and Powell played three more years with the Timbers, where he won an MLS Cup in 2015. After his time with Oregon, Powell bounced around the league, after being sold to Cincinnati for a sum of $250,000 in 2018, Powell was drafted by Inter Miami FC in 2019. Powell stayed with Miami until he left for Sudan and Al-Hilal.

Powell also has international experience, playing for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz alongside new Union teammates Andre Blake and Corey Burke. Powell has recorded forty-nine appearances with Jamaica, as well as two goals. Before making his senior team debut with Jamaica in 2012, Powell also represented the country’s U-17 and U-20 teams, where he played a combined eleven matches and scored one goal. 

Powell is currently expected to sit behind Olivier Mbaizo on the Union’s backline but could see some playing time if Mbaizo sees serious minutes internationally with Cameroon. He has a green card so he won’t take up an international spot.