Daily news roundups / Featured

More of that, please

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Union

From a first half that deserved the boos to a second half that we all hope is a harbinger of the future—what was the difference? Said Carlos Ruiz, “The difference between the first half and the second half was we were more compact in the second half. That was the key to win the game.”

Or was it something else? Said Veljko Paunovic, “I think, after my goal, we just said, ‘That’s it, now we can score goals.’ We just needed that confidence. It was unbelievable we couldn’t score. It seemed like we didn’t have the luck. But after the first goal, we knew we could do this.”

Paunovic said of his goal, “The coaches, in my week here, have told me to get close to the goal. I did what they asked, and was there when Mapp crossed the ball from the side. I was lucky to have the opportunity to control the ball.”

Danny Mwanga on his game-winning goal: “You want to give yourself a better chance to have a nice shot instead of rushing it. I looked at the goalie and took my time before shooting.”

Mwanga praised Paunovic, “I think Pauno is a guy we really needed on the team. He’s an attacking guy, he’s a guy who can create so many opportunities.on what has changed.” Mwanga continued, “Every time, you have new guys on offense, it’s not an easy thing to get the chemistry together. That was one thing we were working on. Now things are clicking and we know for sure we’ll be able to do even better.”

Nowak on Mwanga: “Danny is going in the right direction and it will come to the point where he plays every single game and minute.”

Match reports from Delco Times, ASN Philly, MLSTalk, The Brotherly Game. Goal.com says the Union and Chivas “In a match that saw both teams trade possessions, goals, and nearly punches”—I wonder what kind of possessions were traded? Did anyone get anything cool?

The Goalkeeper brought his video camera to Saturday’s postgame press conference with Peter Nowak. “It looks like we found a team. We found a group of players that, you know, they know that in some point you got to dig it deep…It’s still a work in progress…We try to make it better, as well.”

Observing that the Union are now in sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Post writes, “Mr. Nowak, collect the coach of the year award at your earliest convenience.”

Philly Union Talk spreads the Roger Torres love.

Independence

The Independence defeated magicJack 3–1. Look for the PSP’s match report and photo essay of the game later today.

Philly Soccer News compares the support of the Philadelphia Independence with that of the Union.

CNN wonders if the Women’s World Cup can help spark interest in the women’s professional game.

Local

Reading United move into first place with a 3–0 win over Brooklyn Knights.

Ocean City drew 2–2 with Jersey Express.

MLS

The Union are first place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of New York—who drew 1–1 with seventh place Chicago on Sunday and have won only once in the last ten matches—with a game in hand. Third place Columbus walloped Colorado 4–1. Houston is in fourth, one point above DC United, with who they played to a 2–2 draw on Saturday. Kansas City defeated Vancouver 2–1 and Toronto lost 3–1 to Salt Lake. New England lost 2–1 to Seattle

In league disciplinary news, Charlie Davies was fined $1000 for his dive against RSL that resulted in a game-tieing PK. “Moving forward, all instances of behavior that serves to deceive and that directly impact the game will be subject to severe discipline, including a fine, suspension or both.” Meanwhile, the league fined New York $10,000 for saying what everyone knows: MLS officiating blows. LA was fined $5,000 for leaving David Beckham off their injury report despite knowing that back spasms would prevent him from playing against Colorado.

US

Following the USMNT’s shameful and embarrassing implosion against Mexico in the Gold Cup final, what do you want more, for Bob Bradley to be fired or for Sunil Gulati to be fired? For his part, Gulati refused to offer support of Bradley after the loss. Landon Donovan wouldn’t either.

The Shin Guardian analyzes the loss.

Soccer America looks at the various coaching errors that led to Saturday’s disgusting result.

The Wall Street Journal gets straight to the point with this headline: “U.S. Not as Good as Gold Cup-Winning Mexico.”

The Daily Mail writes about how, because the vast majority of the 93,000-plus fans at the Rose Bowl supported Mexico, what should have been a home game turned into an away game for the US.

You gotta love Tim Howard. “I think it was a fucking disgrace that the entire post match ceremony was in Spanish. You bet your ass, if we were in Mexico City the ceremony would not be all in English. CONCACAF should be ashamed of themselves.”

SI says the USWNT is loaded with talent but lacks consistency.

The Inquirer looks at the legacy of the USWNT victory at the 1999 Women’s World Cup.

Elsewhere

The head of the organizing committee for the Women’s World Cup in Germany asked fans not to whistle when Sepp Blatter’s name was announced during the opening ceremony, whistling being the Euro equivalent of booing. France and Germany were both victorious on the opening day.

Rioting erupted in Buenos Aires after River Plate was relegated for the first time in its 110-year history. I’ve always been a Boca guy, myself.

The South African FA will pay five million rand ($732,332) for the rights to its nickname, Bafana Bafana, which are owned a South African company that trademarked the words nearly twenty years ago.

5 Comments

  1. My favorite headline from the past week: Joel Lindpere says “it’s not fun anymore.” I don’t know what he’s talking about, I’m having tons of fun watching NJPC blow the lead game after game.

  2. The Daily Mail link does not work; takes you to the WSJ. Disgrace what happenend in LA: the numerous Mexican fans, the ceremony in Spanish, and the game itself. Was actually quite fun watching the 2nd half in Union’s Club bar but wish the result had been different. Think Bradley’s days are numbered.

    You forgot to mention the U17 WC fiasco: 0-0 against New Zealand! The US had a man sent off in the 2nd half and qualified for the knock out stages with a draw but still…; the team looks far from impressive.

  3. “I wonder what kind of possessions were traded? Did anyone get anything cool?”

    Awesome.

  4. not scandalized by the gold cup. tim howard, would have been better off reflecting on a poor performance.

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