Daily news roundups

Union bits, West Chester United wins East PA Open Cup, MLS moves, more

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

Nothing new on the Carlos Valdes front save for some rumors on Twitter that Liga MX side Monarcas Morelia is interested in him.

At the Washington Post, Steven Goff reports that the Union were interested in Eddie Johnson “at various points” but are now “no longer in contention.”

San Diego Soccer Club Boys Director of Coaching Brian Quinn says of his club’s partnership with the Union as a Youth Development Affiliate, “[W]e feel the Philadelphia Union is the best fit for us on so many levels to help us to continue to grow. Our challenge is to provide the standards that they require at their YDA, and we intend to do everything in our power to prove that we are worthy participants within their model…The ethos of their club (Philadelphia Union) dovetails perfectly with who we are at San Diego Soccer Club and what we do as an organization.”

The Brotherly Game wonders which Union players deserve a raise.

From a series at DC United blog Black & Red United on what each MLS team is known for, here’s the take on the Union:

There are good stories that go along with the founding of the Union. The role of the Sons of Ben in securing an MLS expansion team and the origin of the team’s nickname (Zolos) come to mind. But, when I think Philadelphia Union, I think, “What a great bridge!” For a team with only four seasons under their belt (one of which was a playoff season), the iconic view of PPL Park with the Commodore Barry Bridge in the background is what most defines the Union at this point. And I say keep capitalizing on it because it is the most recognizable stadium view in all of MLS. Come up with an alternate jersey that has something to do with the bridge (although the Union’s current third jersey that pays homage to Bethlehem Steel is superb), develop an alternate logo that incorporates the bridge, have another nickname that is bridge-related (e.g. the Commodores, the Bridgemen, or the Bridge Crew which is already used by a supporter’s group). At some point, Philadelphia will have enough on-field history to develop another identity (and right now, “team that likes to kick others in the shin” is leading), but until then, I say embrace the bridge!

Local

At CSN Philly, Dave Zeitlin highlights the fine play of three locals in last weekend’s College Cup at PPL Park, all of whom were named to the eleven-player All-Tournament team: Notre Dame’s Andrew O’Malley, who hails from West Chester and scored the game-winning goal in the final; Virginia’s Darius Madison, a South Philly native; and Maryland’s Zack Steffen, who is from Downingtown and was also named Most Outstanding Defensive Player. More on O’Malley, who seems a very likeable fellow and whose father is the executive director of FC Delco, from The Inquirer and MLSsoccer.com. More College Cup final coverage from The Daily News and The Inquirer. At Soccer America, Paul Gardner considers what is wrong with the “unreal, dream world” of college soccer.

West Chester United defeated Vereinigung Erzgebirge 4-2 on Sunday to claim the Eastern PA Open Cup championship and so reach the Region I tournament for qualification in the 2015 US Open Cup. With the win, West Chester becomes the first Eastern PA team to win three straight Eastern PA Open Cup championships since United German Hungarians won four in a row, 1997-2000.

Two Lehigh Valley United players have been named to the Region I roster for the Olympic Development Program Boys Winter Interregional for players in the 1998 age group that will take place at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., Dec. 20-22. They are John Eltringham (Bethlehem, Pa.) Jake Stengel (Allentown, Pa.).

MLS

It’s looking very likely that Eddie Johnson will land with DC United.

Here are the latest player transactions:

It’s official: Carl Robinson is the new head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

At Grantland, Graham Parker writes, “New York City FC has a lot to get right in a short amount of time, but appointing Jason Kreis as their first head coach is a very good start.”

The league has announced the 24 players who will be participating in the inaugural Caribbean Combine, which will take place in Antigua from January 2-4.

You will recall that the brewer DC Brau released a DC United-themed “The Tradition Golden Ale” in June. The beer was previously only available on tap but now United fans can vote on the design of the soon to be released canned version. PBC, Yards, Victory, I’m looking at you.

US

At The Times Herald, Daniel Carvalho says the Group G Group of Death is not a death sentence for the USMNT.

Soccer America’s Paul Kennedy has a thought provoking piece on what to make of the US U-17 team winning the Nike International Friendlies tournament with convincing victories over England and Brazil. One thought that sticks out: Where is MLS with foreign clubs upping their pursuit of young American talent?

In a Q&A at Soccer America, US U-17 coach Richie Williams says Hershey, Pa.’s Christain Pusilic, the tournament MVP, “did very well for us in the No. 10 position, attacking midfielder and is also a player getting interest overseas.”

Elsewhere

You will recall that after the final World Cup qualifiers, Josip Simunic came under investigation when, after Croatia defeated Iceland in the playoffs to reach the World Cup, the Australian-born defender led the home crowd in a nationalist chant associated with the country’s pro-Nazi regime in World War 2. Simunic will now miss the World Cup after being handed a 10-match ban by FIFA. More from the Washington Post on the chant itself.

The AP reports that construction workers at the World Cup stadium in Manaus where two workers died on Saturday walked off the job on Monday.

Was the World Cup draw rigged? Slate looks at the evidence.

Say it isn’t so, Gattuso! The AP reports, “The former Milan and Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso was placed under investigation for alleged match-fixing on Tuesday and four more people were arrested in an early morning police sweep in Italy.”

Fox has retained the rights to broadcast the UEFA Champions League and Europa League in the US through the 2017-18 season. The network’s soccer portfolio also includes the Bundesliga beginning in 2015-16, Euro 2016, and the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

9 Comments

  1. calm down with all that bridge talk

  2. I couldn’t agree more! It’s a kick ass bridge!

    Man, the day before the second round of the RED is slow.

    But thanks to the DCU fans for their classy bridge acknowledgement. Though I think I’d trade our bridge for their new striker.

  3. All Union Fans says:

    Hey, Front Office! Do Something! SOMETHING! We mean it! Because what we want from our soccer team is to use the pitch for rugby and American football! Not players! Certainly not good ones!

  4. “At Soccer America, Paul Gardner considers what is wrong with the “unreal, dream world” of college soccer.”
    .
    Thought provoking piece. The way I see it is that if one wants to play professional one just can’t afford to go to College anymore. There just have been too many fiasco’s (College players turning pro, like Wenger and so many others, who just did not work out).
    .
    If there is no interest from the pros prior to College it looks like one is better off going to a good D3 school and just enjoying the total soccer & College experience, making good connections and then getting a good job after College…

  5. At the NCAA final on Sunday I overheard a fan talking to an usher saying he was a DC United fan but that our stadium is much better than theirs.

    • at the match in August i had visiting United fans behind me and they were envious of the stadium.
      i hope DC eventually gets a better stadium than the bland Nationals Park. there is absolutely nothing remarkable about it.

  6. OneManWolfpack says:

    Boy that DCU blog is really BITTER. Then again when you suck as hard a they do, you have to stoop to insults to make yourself feel better. PS – Good luck with Eddie Johnson…
    .
    “Was the World Cup draw rigged?” – Does a bear shit in the woods?
    .
    Anyone else getting a little nervous at the lack of signings, or even buzz, for the. Union so far?

  7. Damn… Portland trades David Horst traded to Houston for a fourth round pick. He would have been great as defensive depth and he was on a salary budget friendly contract. That just sucks.

  8. This FO will make no real moves, especially with Hackworth as their pawn. Marrow was traded today too.
    I wonder where Hack is gonna find this high quality talent with MLS experience when they’re sitting on their hands.
    The sad part is that I have ABSOLUTELY NO faith in them, but I check everyday for news b/c what else is there to do?

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