Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Union

With losses for Chicago and DC on Wednesday night, MLSsoccer.com has released updated playoff standings. In those standings, the Union have yet to clinch a playoff spot. But the Inquirer’s Marc Narducci argues that the Union have clinched:

“Major League Soccer has come out with the latest playoff possibilities and doesn’t have the Union as clinching just yet.

“We see it differently.

“It appears that the Union have clinched a spot following D.C. United’s loss on Wednesday to Vancouver.

“Ten teams will earn a spot and according to our calculations, there aren’t 10 teams that can pass the Union…

“We understand that there could be a technicality we’re missing, but from this vantage point, the Union are already in.

“We have sent this to MLS and will update the story.”

Out since September 15 with a right hip flexor strain, Danny Mwanga says, “It’s finally getting better. I’m almost at 100 percent.”

Did you know that Brian Carroll has played in the postseason in every year of his nine-year career? Carroll says of his goal against Seattle, “It was awesome and exhausting at the same time,” adding, “I don’t really know how to celebrate. I just try to catch my breath and take as long as I can before they have to restart the play.”

The Union website has a piece outlining five factors behind the club’s recent turnaround. The big news is that the club has used the “Farfantastic” tag, originated by PSP’s very own Adam Cann.

The Brotherly Game argues that the Union “should” finish second in the East because that would give them a presumably easier path in the playoffs.

Keon Daniel’s player rating for his performance in Tuesday’s 4–0 thumping by Trinidad and Tobago over Barbados from SocaWarriors.net: “4 Poor today, something is wrong.” The match report says, “The left side was totally ineffective both in attack as well as defence. Keon Daniel looked like the Skilla of old…slow, nashy, uninterested, ball watching and he just looked scared or something. [Skilla is Daniel’s nickname. One post from 2007 says “keon daniel aka skilla (short for skilachi).” The reference is to Salvatore Schillaci, Golden Boot winner of the 1994 World Cup.] Not a tackle..only covering and pointing, when the ball was there to be won if he only chook a foot.” I don’t know what chook means.

Independence

Joanna Lohman talks about what she and Lianne Sanderson have been doing in the offseason, including playing for Espanyol in Spain and organizing the JoLi Academy, which will be running a month-long project in India in January. She says it is too early to tell if she and Lianne will return to the Independence next season. Whatever she and Lianne do, we at PSP wish them the very best—they are top people.

Local

Central Bucks East boys’ soccer coach Mike Gorni recorded his 300th win on Wednesday as his team downed rivals CB South 3–1.

Bordentown girls’ soccer coach Dominick Castaldo recorded his 300th win last Friday.

The Inquirer rounds up PA boys’ and girls’ results and does the same for South Jersey boys’ and girls’.

The Phanatic Magazine loves FIFA Soccer 12. “While FIFA 12 certainly isn’t kind to those just jumping into the series, it will hook you nonetheless—and just might make you a soccer fan in the process.”

MLS

Chicago Fire and DC United both could have made positive steps toward keeping their playoff hopes alive on Wednesday night and both fell short. Chicago lost at home 1–2 to Dallas who, with the win, clinch a playoff berth and end a four-game losing streak. DC United lost 2–1 in Vancouver. It was DC’s third loss in a row.

Don Garber responded to Jurgen Klinsmann’s assertion that the MLS season is too short. “Listen, Jurgen’s right, season’s too short. ‘d love to able to have global warming to take its effect and have the weather in our country change and be able to have a longer season…I think the time will come (when) we’ll be able to spread our season out a little bit.”

LA centerback Gregg Berhalter will retire at the end of the season. Berhalter’s professional career includes stints at Sparta Rotterdam, Crystal Palace, Energie Cottbus and TSV 1860 München. He has 44 caps with the USMNT.

US

SBI reports the USMNT will play two friendlies in Europe during the November 11-15 international break. A report on FranceFootball.fr on Monday said France would host the US if they won their Euro 2012 qualifying group, which occured on Tuesday when they drew with Bosnia and Herzegovina. That fixture has not been confirmed and there is still no word on who the other fixture will be with. Sunil Gulati said, “we’ll make that public in the next few days.”

Broad Street Hooligans has some thought’s on how the USMNT performed agaisnt Honduras and Ecuador.

Sounder at Heart looks at the American soccer player pool

Elsewhere

Manchester United and Chelsea say they will not back the breakaway TV deal suggested by Liverpool. Currently, monies from TV deals are negotiated collectively and shared by all of the clubs in the Premiership but Liverpool wants overseas deals to be negotiated on a club-by-club basis.

The ex-CONCACAF president and still well-known crook Jack Warner says there is a conspiracy at FIFA agaisnt Caribbean soccer.

No further proceedings will be enacted agaisnt five Mexican players who failed doping tests at the Gold Cup. FIFA says the the tests were caused by contaminated meat eaten by the players.

The International Football Association Board will give companies an additional 12 months to develop goal line technologies and select a winner in 2013.