CHESTER, Pa. (December 19, 2022) – Philadelphia Union announced today that the club has signed MLS veteran goalkeeper Joe Bendik to a new one-year contract ahead of the 2023 season. Bendik’s signing comes following the club’s historic 2022 campaign, reaching the MLS Cup Final for the first time in Union history. The Union acquired Bendik from Columbus Crew SC in exchange for a natural 2020 MLS SuperDraft second-round selection in July 2019.
“Joe is integral to our goalkeeper unit, which was the best in the league last season,” said Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. “His hard work, professionalism, and the way he connects with both veterans and young players is beneficial to the entire team. We’re happy to have come to an agreement and welcome him back as a mentor and leader in our locker room.”
Bendik, Andre Blake, and Matt Freese have been the Union’s first team goalkeepers since Bendik joined the club in 2020, with the group consistently being one of the best in the league during that period. The 10-year MLS veteran has appeared in five matches for the Union, making one start, and has been a part of major historic moments including securing the club’s first ever Supporters’ Shield, winning the Eastern Conference Championship, and the Union’s first appearance in the MLS Cup Final this past November. Bendik has appeared in 181 regular season matches (176 starts) over his MLS career, which began in 2012 with Portland. The goalkeeper also made significant contributions with Toronto FC, Orlando City SC and Columbus Crew SC. He achieved a career-best seven clean sheets with Orlando in 2017, also making a single-season personal high of 118 saves that year.
Bendik started his professional career in Norway, playing two years for Sogndal prior to returning to the United States and signing with Portland. He played collegiately at Clemson University.
TRANSACTION: Philadelphia Union sign goalkeeper Joe Bendik to a one-year contract through 2023 on December 19, 2022.
