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Hackworth: “shaking every bush,” Adu speculation continues, more news

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

In his final press conference of the year, John Hackworth largely reiterated what is already known about the Union’s intentions in the offseason. “We don’t think that we need a lot of changes here. We feel really good about the foundation and the core players that are here. That said, it’s no secret that we need somebody to come in here that we feel can score goals…We are shaking every bush and lifting every rock possible to find that.”

Much of the coverage of the press conference has been focused on the status of Freddy Adu, an exercise that is somewhat akin to reading tea leaves. While SBI emphasized that there’s “a good chance” Adu could return in 2013, The Inquirer was less optimistic and placed more focus on the mixed signals Hackworth seemed to be sending about Adu’s status.

The mixed signals were obvious. On the one hand, Hackworth said, “It’s not like we’re unhappy with his performance on the field.” On the other hand, he said, “The fact that he did not reach the level that other people expected of him, including his coaches and teammates, is an issue.” On the one hand, Hackworth said, “The reality is that he has to focus and he has to change some things in order to reach that full potential and that’s what this club needs. We don’t want any part of a player that doesn’t understand all those demands.” On the other hand he said, “I think that’s the biggest misconception is that people have this idea that there’s problems between Freddy and myself or that we feel like Freddy hasn’t played to his capability. It’s not so much the case, the case is that there are unrealistic expectations on Freddy.”

Hackworth said, “I definitely think there is a chance Freddy will be back.” Or was it, “Definitely I think there is a chance Freddy will be back.” Tea leaves.

Jack McInerney and Amobi Okugo were selected to SBI’s MLS Under 23 Best XI. Receiving honorable mentions were Zac MacMath, Raymon Gaddis and Sheanon Williams. McInerney paired with Will Bruin? I like it.

Danny Cruz lays out some Philly love. “I loved my time here with the Union. I wasn’t here too long, but it’s been special. The organization, my teammates, the coaches and the fans have been incredible. I heard about the passion here in this town and until you experience it, you don’t really know. This is where I want to be and I hope to be here in this jersey for a long time.”

ProSoccerTalk uses the news of Zac MacMath’s training spell with Everton to examine the USMNT goalkeeper pool.

New York Red Bulls blog Once a Metro picks up on fellow SB Nation blog The Brotherly Game’s suggestion that, according to unnamed sources, a deal for Sebastien Le Toux is either as good as done or still being discussed and concludes, “If the Union want Le Toux, and Le Toux wants the Union, this could’ve waited, right?”

The Brotherly Game reports that Roger Torres’ former club America de Cali owes him 3,744,826 Colombian pesos. Easy now, that’s just over $2,000.

The Union will be holding open tryouts on Saturday, Nov. 17 at YSC Sports. Beware the beep test.

Local

After capturing the Atlantic 10 championship, the La Salle women’s team have drawn the Virginia Cavaliers for the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Wimington University has earned a berth for the first time in the programs history in the NCAA Division 2 women’s soccer tournament after defeating Philadelphia University 1–0 to win the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship for the first time.

PhillyBurbs.com rounds up the area schools taking part in the first round of the PIAA boys’ state soccer tournament. Class AAA play begins today with Class AA games taking place tomorrow.

In case you missed it, the Archbishop Wood girls’ team won the District 12-AA title last Thursday, defeating Philadelphia Public League Class AA champion Benjamin Rush by the eye-popping score of 11–0. The Lady Vikings out shot their opponent 42–0.

With many communities in New Jersey still struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, NJSIAA has pushed back the dates for the boys’ and girls’ state finals matches by two weeks. The public school boys’ final will take place on Dec. 1 with the girls’ final on Dec. 2. The non-public school boys’ final is now scheduled for Nov. 27 with the girls’ final on Nov. 28. All of the games will take place at The College of New Jersey.

MaxPreps.com profiles George Todt, the Archbishop Ryan boys’ coach who has retired after 44 seasons, amassing a 649-162-117. A true Philadelphia soccer legend.

MLS

The New York Times previews the upcoming final series of conference semifinals.

Soccer America says the MLS playoffs are a good idea and all. But you know what they need is more pizza. I’m sorry, I misread that, what the playoffs could use is more pizazz.

It’s official: The NASL announced on Monday that Ashburn, Virginia will be the home of a yet to be named team that will enter the league in 2014. More on the news here and here.

Speaking of the NASL, here’s one look at some NASL players who could make it in MLS.

US

The draw for the Hexagonal round of CONCACAF’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers will take place at 8pm on Wednesday. You can follow the draw live here.

At Goal.com, Avi Creditor looks at the value January’s USMNT training camp holds.

US Soccer announced on Monday that the USWNT will play China three times in the span of eight days beginning indoors at Detroit’s Ford Field on Dec. 8, Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium on Dec. 12 and FAU Stadium in Boca Raton on Dec. 15. Three thoughts: How did PPL Park miss out on this Fan Tribute tour? Anyone from the defunct WPS not associated with magicJack must be shaking their heads at Boca Raton being selected to host a game. Get a league together already so the US women can play in some meaningful games.

Elsewhere

Cristiano Ronaldo on the Ballon d’Or: “If I could, I’d vote for myself. I am what I am and I’m happy with that. Being too humble isn’t good. In Portugal we say that too much humility is vanity.” What do they say in Portugal about having no humility?

Forbes suggests that goal-line technology is but a red herring considering the greater need for recourse to video replays.

13 Comments

  1. PPL Park held one of the WNT warmup games before the Olympics. All of the stops on the Fan Tribute Tour were places that they had not played earlier in the year.

  2. James "4-3-3" Forever says:

    I mean, I wouldn’t mind bringing Le Toux back as a rotation piece. He can step in at striker, or provide an option at wing. He would basically be a more refined, effective and veteran Hopponet.
    But to bring him here on a DP-like podium where we guarantee him 90 minutes a game and attempt to build around him? No thanks. I don’t want him for that. Any time positive PR is mentioned as a reason to bringing in a player, that’s not a good sign.

    • 25 goals and 20 assists in two seasons with the team. Not only is it good PR move, it also goes a long way to improve the team’s struggles in front of goal.

      • James "4-3-3" Forever says:

        That doesn’t tell the whole story. He is the same kind of player as Jack and Hop. Has he been productive? Yes. But Jack’s game screams for a specific complimentary type of player that Le Toux isn’t.
        Could we be successful with Le Toux/Jack up top? Sure, but I wouldn’t put the % chance of it higher than if we got a Peter Crouch type striker.
        With LT, we basically would be strengthening an area of the team that is already strong and weakening our weak points even more.

      • Stopped reading at “He is the same kind of player as Jack and Hop.” Because he is not the same kind of player. Just a few examples: Le Toux can run at the D moreso than Jack. Hop flops, Le Toux not so much. (FYI: I love Messi because he never flops, never dives even when he could and probably should)

      • James "4-3-3" Forever says:

        Both players constantly make runs, both players stretch a defense, both are starter-quality at putting the ball in the net more often than not. Jack has a better touch, and is younger than LT though. Both players strengths fall into the “smallish, quick striker who makes good runs off the ball” category.
        I’m not sure what “can run at D” means, I don’t consider either of them viable 1v1 players at all.

      • My point is Jack and Hop are completely different to Le Toux. Le Toux does better with the ball at his feet than both Jack and Hop. I consider Le Toux better at 1v1 moreso than either Jack or Hop. I see Jack and Hop as poachers who need the ball PLAYED to their feet not AT their feet.
        .
        IMO. You are arguing for a Jack/Crouch partnership which to me in like a Cooper/Cooper partnership instead of a Cooper/Henry partnership.
        .
        I thinkg a Jack/Le Toux parnership wold resemble a Cooper/Henry partnership which would be better for us in the end.
        .
        Sorry for Cow reference, think I easily paints my picture.

      • Couldn’t agree more with DarthLos on this one. Le Toux’s game,when he had the chance to let it shine in Philly, was more nuanced. Le Toux work’s better from the right or left and is definitely more composed with the ball at his feet. I think because Jack’s 5’9 or 5’10 people assume that he is not a CF. This could not be farther from the truth. Jack is a finisher with unbelievable aerial skills for his size. The only real similarities are their extreme hustle great runs and nose-for-goal/poachers instincts. Neither are shabby when it comes to assist numbers either.

  3. Bye-bye Danny Cruz, it was fun while it lasted. Cruz gets the Union website puff piece on how much he loves it here. Kiss of Death.

  4. How about le Toux during the offseason and then add grafite in th summer. There’s an article at brotherly game saying that he would like to come here. I’d take it

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