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Feeling pumped, vote Union, USA Reamed, more news.

Union

The Union are feeling pumped up after their win in Seattle. Sheanon Williams says, “Right now, we’re just thinking about first place. The guys really want to be in first place. If we’re in first place, then guess what? We’re in the playoffs. So that should be our first goal.” Mr. Williams, I like the way you think and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

The Union have rocketed three spots in the power rankings at MLSsoccer.com to third. At Goal.com, they move up two spots to sixth.

Tuesday’s injury report is out:

PHILADELPHIA UNION — OUT: GK Thorne Holder (concussion); FW Levi Houapeu (L ankle strain); DOUBTFUL: DF Joe Tait (R ankle sprain); QUESTIONABLE: GK Faryd Mondragon (R finger fracture); DF Danny Califf (L shoulder sprain); PROBABLE: GK Zac MacMath (L ankle sprain); MF Stefani Miglioranzi (R calf strain)

MLS Commissioner Don Garber has praised what the Union is doing off the field. “That stadium [PPL Park] was a risk in terms of where the location is, but they are selling out, they have lots of sponsors and are relevant in their community…Their local TV ratings are among the highest among any other MLS team in the country,” Garber said. “I think [the Union] isn’t just a wonderful asset for the city of Philadelphia and Chester, but a great story for us as a league.” Union broadcasts rank third in the league behind Seattle and LA.

On Monday, the headline for a brief article cobbled together from wire reports in the Inquirer on the Union’s emphatic win in Seattle read, “Union prevail, creep closer to the playoffs.” This morning, there is an article titled “Union inch closer to a playoff spot.” Creeping? Inching?

JP Dellacamera says the Union win in Seattle was the highlight of a busy weekend. Agreed.

Vote Freddy Adu for Goal of the Week! Vote Brian Carroll for Goal of the Week! Now vote for both again. Repeat.

In another exercise of fan democracy, Philebrity has a poll asking readers what Philly sports team they will support now that the Phillies are out of the playoffs and the Eagles suck. Vote Union!

Keon Daniel started in Trinidad & Tobago’s 4–0 hammering of Barbados on Tuesday but was subbed out at the start of the second half. You can see video of him being dispossessed of the ball after a T&T throw in, leading to Bermuda’s first goal, in their 2–1 loss on Saturday here.

Union Dues has some post-Seattle ponderings.

More on Peter Nowak’s twittering.

Local

La Salle goalkeeper John McCarthy has been named Philadelphia Soccer Six Player of the Week.

On Thursday, November 3, the Philadelphia premier of Rise and Shine: The Jay Demerit Story will take place at The Pearl Theaters at 7:30pm. More on the film from Soccer America (the comments are particularly interesting).

The Anderson Monarchs film, of which many of you generously donated to to help fund, is close to being completed. A recent message from the film’s director, Eugene Martin, to backers said, “The film is nearing completion. Due to your massive support we were able to edit for 5 months straight and commission the final musical score. We now have a full-length documentary feature film! I was just in Los Angeles 2 weeks ago and did the final scoring sessions with composer Mario Grigorov. It was a very moving experience to hear the film come alive with the graceful rhythms Mario has written for the film. He has created 14 original compositions for the film, and his next film project is The Paper Boy starring Nicole Kidman. We were very lucky indeed that he chose our film!” The message also noted that footage was shot at the White House last Thursday when some of the Anderson Monarchs were invited to participate in the Let’s Move! clinic that also included members of the Philadelphia-based Soccer Sisters United, the USWNT and First Lady Michelle Obama.

The Inquirer rounds up PA boys’ and girls’ results and South Jersey boys’ and girls’ results. They also have a Southeastern PA girls’ Top Ten and a list of South Jersey scoring leaders.

MLS

Jurgen Klinsmann has been joined by US Soccer president Sunil Gulati in his call to extend the MLS season. Both agree that the offseason is too long, which means US players cannot compete as well as they could with the rest of the world.

Union Dues has some ideas of their own for the future of MLS.

Seattle continue to spin their loss to the Union as the result of fatigue, US Open Cup victory hangover, blah, blah, blah.

Here’s a look at how MLS players did on Tuesday’s international date. That Tim Ream guy certainly did the USA with his marking. He’s continuing to provide a new definition of the word “reamed.”

Soccer America’s Paul Gardner isn’t impressed by MLSsoccer.com’s Referee Week.

US

Player ratings for Tuesday night’s disappointing performance by the USMNT in their 1–0 loss to Ecuador from Soccer America, SI and MLSsoccer.com.

Grant Wahl has three thoughts on the USA loss.

Fox News Latino looks at Hispanic Identity and US Soccer.

Panasonic is a new multi-year sponsor of US Soccer and MLS.

Elsewhere

Here’s a roundup of Tuesday’s Euro 2012 qualification matches.

Liverpool is threatening to lead a challenge to the current TV rights system in place for the Premiership. Currently, TV monies are shared equally among all of the clubs. Liverpool wants overseas deals to be negotiated on a club-by-club basis. The Guardian’s David Conn says this is simply a recipe for the rich to get richer.

Moneyball originator Billy Beane says the concept can be applied to soccer. “There’s a group of people out there that probably aren’t in the game, or are dying to get into the game, or have somebody sponsor these ideas…I guarantee that all through England, Europe, the United States, there is a group of people who are doing these things like Bill James [a pioneer of the new baseball statistics who self-published his own data] and they’re just waiting for a sponsor.” Yes, and I can be contacted at efarnsworth@phillysoccer.com.

FIFA has begun hearing the case agaisnt 15 Caribbean soccer officials accused of bribery.

In related news from The Department of Awesome, The Daily Telegraph has acquired video footage has emerged of the ex-CONCACAF President, and still well-known crook, Jack Warner urging Caribbean soccer officials to accept cash from now banned-for life Mohamed Bin Hammam, at the time challenging Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency. I love the Internet.

5 Comments

  1. Kyle Beckerman sucks. That is all.

  2. Last night Harriton upset Lower Merion who are/were ranked in US’ top 50 High Schools. My son had the winning goal 🙂 Afterwards many of the circa 500 (!!) spectators invaded the field since Harriton had not beaten LM for god-knows-how-many-years (even coach Biff did not remember). There were two large groups of students (LM & Harriton) who were like mini SOB’s and reminded me a bit of the NY / Philly fan rivalry. Was an incredible night the Harriton players will never forget!

  3. If I had a dollar for every gaffe Tim Ream “hopes to learn from,” Jack Warner would be telling the Caribbean Football Union to accept cash from me!

  4. Love me some Tim Ream.

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