Ex-US star Stewart introduced as Union sporting director

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - Former U.S. national team star Earnie Stewart has fulfilled his dream of returning to the United States.

Stewart was officially introduced Thursday as the Philadelphia Union's sporting director, taking over player personnel operations for the MLS club after spending 10 years as a soccer executive in Holland.

Stewart, who made over 100 appearances for the U.S. national team, most recently worked as the director of football affairs at Dutch top-flight club AZ Alkmaar.

Stewart says his one ambition has been to come back to the United States and help build something meaningful and lasting to soccer in the country.

Stewart was officially hired by the Union on Oct. 26 but didn't begin in his new role until Tuesday, two days after the MLS season ended. The Union finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the franchise's six years.