Struggling Philly Union dismiss Nowak

Published Jun. 13, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Philadelphia Union dismissed coach Peter Nowak on Wednesday, after the MLS team struggled to a 2-7-2 start.

The Union, stuck in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, will be led on an interim basis by John Hackworth.

Hackworth, 42, has filled in for Nowak as coach several times, leading the Union in MLS action, international friendlies and U.S. Open Cup play, as well.

Hackworth came to Philadelphia after two years as an assistant with the U.S. national team under Bob Bradley. He helped guide the squad to a first-place finish in group play in World Cup qualifying, and a second-place finish in the 2009 Confederations Cup. In 2008, Hackworth, a former college coach at South Florida and Wake Forest, earned the United States Olympic Committee Developmental Coach of the Year award.

Nowak, 47, was named Philadelphia's first team manager on May 29, 2009. In 75 MLS games, Nowak went 21-30-24 and led the team to its first-ever playoff appearance in 2011.

The Union play host to D.C. United on Saturday at PPL Park.