CHESTER, Pa. (June 10, 2021) – Philadelphia Union announced today that they have signed defender Alvas Powell as a free agent to a one-year minimum senior contract. The Jamaican international joins the Concacaf Champions League semifinal-bound Union with almost eight years’ experience in Major League Soccer, including a MLS Cup winning season in 2015 with Portland Timbers.

“We are excited to add Alvas to our defensive unit. 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,” said Ernst Tanner, Philadelphia Union Sporting Director. “He has the physicality required to contribute to all phases of play and adds important depth to our backline.”

Powell, who holds a green card, came to Major League Soccer after spending time at Portmore United FC. He was loaned to Portland Timbers in 2013 and made a permanent transfer to the Timbers in 2015, the same year he played an integral part in the Timbers’ run to winning the MLS Cup. After spending three seasons with Portland, he went on to play at FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF. He last played at the Sudanese club Al-Hilal.

Internationally, Powell has been a stalwart on the Jamaican National Team, where he plays alongside Andre Blake and Cory Burke, and with whom he has earned 49 caps and scored two goals. His debut for the Reggae Boyz came in December of 2012 in the Caribbean Cup. He was also part of the championship-winning squad of the 2014 Caribbean Cup. Powell has played an important role in three of Jamaica’s Gold Cup runs, in 2015, 2017 and 2019, where he helped lead the team to two finals and one semi-final. Additionally, Powell has played in a number of World Cup qualifiers and international friendlies. In a 2019 Concacaf Nations League match, Powell scored a brace in 4-0 win over Guyana for his first international goals.

COURTESY PHILADELPHIA UNION COMMUNICATIONS