Former Heron Damion Lowe shines in Philadelphia's Champions League win

Damion Lowe is a warrior. The Jamaican national team veteran was a stalwart defender during his one season in Miami. Traded to Philadelphia in the offseason, he's played just four minutes in league play for the Union but showed his quality in a 1-0 CONCACAF Champions League win Wednesday against Mexican side Atlas.

Lowe, 29, had his best professional season last year for Miami; he started 28 matches for Inter Miami, playing a career-high 2,383 minutes. He made 59 tackles (winning 36 of them), intercepted 53 passes, and made 47 blocks (12 shots).

A physical presence at the back, he was carded 11 times (one red). Oh, and he managed a goal and an assist for the Herons.

Lowe started his career with the Seattle Sounders, who drafted him eighth overall in 2015. He's bounced around since then, playing for eight clubs in seven seasons, but showed in Miami that he can hold his own against MLS competition.

The Herons' brain trust, Sporting Director Chris Henderson and Coach Phil Neville in the offseason decided Miami needed a veteran presence to anchor the backline and mentor young defenders Chris McVey, Aime Mabike and Ryan Sailor (eventually signing Ukrainian center back Serhiy Kryvstov).

Unfortunately, that meant they couldn't keep the Jamaican; they traded Lowe in the offseason for $225,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money and a 2024 natural first round draft pick.

I'm happy to see Lowe get a chance to prove his mettle in the Champions League. The Union has been among MLS' elite teams the past several seasons and features the 2022 MLS Defender of the Year, Jakob Glesnes, and Jack Elliott at center back; it will be tough for Lowe to find minutes in league play.

But I don't think he'll embarrass himself when he does.