Daily news roundups

USA at top of the Hex with 2-0 win, Union expects “feisty” USOC match against DC, more

US

A commanding performance from the USMNT over Panama resulted in a 2-0 victory in Seattle. With the win, the US is now top of the Hex with 10 points from five games.

Jurgen Klinsmann said after the game, “I thought the entire game, we were in control of it. Overall, a complete performance.”

Match reports and recaps from US Soccer, MLSsoccer.com, ASN, SI, SBI, Washington Post, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Soccer America, Philly Soccer News, Goal.com and The AP.  Postgame quote sheet here.

Player ratings from MLSsoccer.com, ESPN, SI, SBI, and Goal.com. ASN has a tactical analysis.

At ESPN, Doug McIntyre says Jurgen Klinsmann is making all of the right moves.

The backline continues to improve and picked up its third shutout of the Hex. Tim Howard said,

It’s not easy, there’s been some bumps and bruises, there’s been some yelling and some curse words back there but that’s how you learn,” said goalkeeper Tim Howard. “I’ve played the game a long time and I’ve been on both ends of it. I’ve been the young guy and I’m the old guy now and I’ve seen it, that’s how you grow.

You grow from mistakes and getting a talking to and adjusting and coming back and doing better and tonight was really good. We caught them offside a few times which, to me as a goalkeeper, tells that our line is really tight and we’re dictating the line, so that’s always good.

Goal.com puts the spotlight on the fine play of Jozy Altidore, Eddie Johnson, and Geoff Cameron.

Matthew Doyle has Three Things Learned from the game. Grant Wahl has Three Thoughts.

There were plenty of concerns about the condition of the temporary grass surface and what some perceived as disappointing ticket sales in Seattle. In the end, the turf held up well enough and 40,847 of the available 42,000 tickets were sold. The atmosphere at CenturyLink Field was simply terrific.

Michael Bradley said of playing in Seattle, “Unbelievable. The best crowd I’ve played in in the United States, without a doubt. From all the players, a big thank you to everybody who was here, to everybody in the city who makes this a special night for us, because people don’t know what a difference it makes when you play in an atmosphere like this.”

Tim Howard said, “Columbus is great and Kansas City has been fantastic, but this was rocking, and they did themselves justice tonight because everyone talks about the Sounders games. We see it, it’s the best crowd around and we kind of knew they’d be up for it. We can’t get back to Seattle soon enough.”

US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said of the prospects of another USMNT game in Seattle, “Yeah, we would do that again, sure.”

The US next hosts Honduras in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 17 at 7pm (ESPN, UniMas). A win would keep the US at the top of the Hex for this cycle of qualifiers and leave Mexico five points behind.

Something to note: Nine US players are carrying a yellow card and will be suspended for one game with their next one, just as DaMarcus Beasley will be for the match against Honduras. They are: Jozy Altidore, Matt Besler, Michael Bradley, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis, Clint Dempsey, Brad Evans, Tim Howard and Fabian Johnson.

At ESPN, Jeff Carlisle looks at the USMNT one year out from Brazil.

In other CONCACAF qualifiers on Tuesday, Mexico was held scoreless again at home in a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica while Honduras defeated Jamaica 2-0. At Goal.com, Kyle McCarthy breaks down where the teams in the Hex stand.

Soccer America has an interesting look at the connection between Sigi Schmid and Jurgen Klinsmann.

Philadelphia Union

US Open Cup

Ladies and gentleman, it is US Open Cup time in Maryland once again, and you know what that means.

Brian Carroll said, “The Open Cup is always a battle. Against DC, it’s always an extra rivalry, an extra heated match. We expect their best, and we’re going to have to bring our best.”

John Hackworth said, “I expect this game to be a typical game at the SoccerPlex. It’s going to be a hard game and emotional game. I think DC will absolutely put everything they have into winning the game. We have to make sure we match or exceed all of those things. I know it’s going to be a tough game no matter what…Whether you play in the Open Cup or whether it’s a league game, this rivalry is real and that’s what it comes down to. It’s always going to be feisty when we play.”

Hackworth continued, “I would be surprised if we finished tomorrow night with 11-v-11. We just have to see how it goes. I hope that it’s 11-v-11; I hope that it’s a great soccer game. I hope that we score a lot of goal and they don’t score any, but that’s not really realistic.”

Have no doubt about the importance of tonight’s game. Hackworth said, “Certainly the Open Cup is important for us. I know it’s important for DC. They’ve said it. It’s their way to turn their season around right now and really play for something. We did the exact same thing last year.”

Tonight’s game will be livestreamed on the Union website from 7pm.

Antoine Hoppenot is hoping for a little magic against DC. “Last year was the first game I scored and it really just started my career on the Union. For me, it was really an important game. So going back down there, it’s kind of like coming full circle.”

The Washington Examiner has the skinny on potential changes in DC’s defense for tonight’s game. Black and Red United has a projected DC lineup.

Previews from PSP, PhiladelphiaUnion.com, Daily News, Delco Times, CSN Philly, Philly Soccer News, Union Dues, Brotherly Game, DC United.com, and the Washington Post. Kevin Kinkead has this scouting report on DC while Black & Red United have a scouting report on the Union.

Presser

At Tuesday’s weekly press conference (Union Tally has a transcript), Hackworth also touched on several other topics, one of which was defensive depth. In the Reading Friendly last Friday, Aaron Wheeler deputized in central defense. Hackworth said, “We had an injury come up last week very late in our planning going into Reading, and we put Aaron Wheeler at center back. And he did such a good job at center back against Reading that it has changed our perspective a little bit. We’ve thought for a long time that maybe we need to look outside to bring in a center back to provide some covering, and he was good. It’s a long-term process if you convert a guy from being a forward to a center back, but Aaron has a lot of those qualities and did well.”

Hackworth also said that Kleberson’s recovery from the injury he sustained in Toronto has been slower than expected and that the Brazilian is unlikely to feature in tonight’s US Open Cup match.

Bits and bobs

Brian Carroll and Sheanon Williams have been named to MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the week. Making the bench are Sebastien Le Toux and Conor Casey.

Six—that’s right, six—Union players made the Castrol Index Weekly Top 20 performer’s list: Zac MacMath (No. 3), Sheanon Williams No. 7, Conor Casey (No. 8), Jeff Parke (No. 12), Brian Carroll (No. 16), and Jack McInerney (No. 18). The top five Union players on the Full Castrol Index are McInerney (No. 1), Casey (No. 43), Sebastien Le Toux (No. 58), Amobi Okugo (No. 68), and MacMath (No. 95).

More power rankings! At MLSsoccer.com, the Union move up two spots to No. 12. ProSoccerTalk also has them at No. 12. At Soccer America, the Union rise one spot to No. 11.

From the Department of They Grow Up So Fast, Zach Pfeffer graduated from high school on Tuesday.

Union Dues dreams a dream called DaMarcus Beasley signing as the Union’s new left back.

Chester taxes

The Union’s ownership group, Keystone Sports and Entertainment, and Chester have agreed on a payment plan for the money due to the city in lieu of taxes from 2010. The payment of $500,000 will be made over four years, $50,000 in 2013 and 2014, and $200,000 in 2015 and 2016. At the Delco Times, John Kopp reports, “Those payments will be made in addition to the remaining annual payments Keystone is required to make per its lease agreement. That contract requires Keystone to pay the city $500,000 annually from 2010-1014 in lieu of property taxes. From 2015-2040, Keystone must make annual payments of $150,000.”

Local

Harrisburg City Islanders defender Coady Andrews has been named to the USL PRO Team of the Week. Cristhian Hernandez and Morgan Langley received honorable mentions. More here.

The La Salle women’s soccer schedule has been released. The article also notes incoming freshman players.

Newsworks has an article on the Soccer Sisters United-backed Germantown girls soccer program.

MLS

With Chivas USA haveing abye last week, Gabriel Farfan, Eric Avila, and Giovanni Casillas trained with Chivas de Guadalajara. Spanish language reports suggest that Avila and Casillas may be headed to the Mexican club next season.

Newly named NASL side Indy Eleven have announced Juergen Sommer as their first head coach.

New York Cosmos have announced two player signings.

Elsewhere

Despite ongoing unrest in host country Turkey, FIFA says the U-20 World Cup will commence on June 21 as planned.

The Canadian Soccer Association has suspended the Quebec Soccer Association for its ban on turbans. Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo released a statement saying that accusations that the QSA’s ban on religious headgear is racist are “misplaced.”

Lionel Messi and his father have been accused of tax fraud in Spain.

 

11 Comments

  1. Goddammit! Instead of getting actual defensive depth. Aaron Wheeler will be the good enough bandaid on an entire defense of good enough bandaids.

    • Words cannot describe how mad I am about that. Am I the only one who thinks that is the most ridiculous thing ever? How is HAck a professional coach?

      • I don’t think Hack has much control over stuff like this. As much as I like to complain about Hacks perceived coaching deficiencies I believe the pressure to make due and not spend money comes from much higher in the food chain.

    • The Black Hand says:

      We have endless depth, sieve. If Wheeler doesn’t work out, we have our other backup CB…Conor Casey. Worry not. It’s all under control!

      • You don’t need to spend money to get a proven player, you could always draft a player you need in the superdraft and let him grow into the position. Okugo, Jack Mac, and MacMath are perfect examples of how that works. Why not get one in the draft instead of more forwards or converted players? After all we will likely have the top overall pick via Chivas.

      • @Brian because we actually want to win something within our lifetimes. Building throug hthe draft is needed, but the Union have done that enough. The players you named are a good youth backbone. Now is the time to compliment that youth with proven quality.

  2. It may be fantasy, but the Union absolutely should go after Beasley. He would instantly upgrade our left flank, and his salary isn’t so high that we can’t afford him as a DP.

    • My gut tells me that they would never spend DP money on a defender. Smart defensive plays are much less marketable than goals and flashy assists.

      • Eli Pearlman-Storch says:

        Then let him play left mid. It’s not as if the Union is overflowing with players who have flourished in that role.

      • After seeing how he missed that shot last night, he would fit right in.

      • The Black Hand says:

        Isn’t it against the rules to have players that play naturally on the left side of the pitch?

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