With Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) slotted up top as the lone striker, Le Toux was penciled in at left outside mid, paired up at central with Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake). A bit odd given what we’re used to seeing, but certainly a concession to the nature of the match. Bruce Arena’s selection was made a bit easier by the fact that leading MLS goalscorer Edson Buddle and teammate Landon Donovan (subbed in at the 74th minute) played the night before in a CONCACAF Champions League match (a 4-1 loss to Puerto Rico City Islanders).

[United's] young and future stars put on a dazzling display from the start with Federico Macheda poaching two in under 13 minutes.

Morales, the key for any push by the MLS Allstars, showed more of a willingness to work the ball forward to Marco Pappa (Chicago Fire) who would then seek out Angel.  The Real Salt Lake man did, however, shift the ball back to Le Toux in the 21st minute, following a deep run towards the left flag. Sending the ball further back as the Allstars held possession, Le Toux would receive again to lead a ball with the softest of touches to a teammate at the top of the box, who unfortunately couldn’t manage a shot.

Sadly, that would be one of the best efforts displayed by the Union’s chief danger man, as well as one of the few times the MLS All-Stars threatened in the first half, with the only serious threat in the first 45 minutes seeming to come off Chad Marshall’s (Columbus Crew) head. He’d come close again through the air in the second half.

Le Toux was stymied by a combination of Wes Brown and Rafael…[with Brown] marking him off passes to the top of the box on two different occasions.

Quite the opposite for United, whose young and future stars put on a dazzling display from the start with Federico Macheda poaching two in under 13 minutes. His first came in the opening 23 seconds of the match following a horrid mistake by defender Shalrie Joseph of the New England Revolution; in the 13th he rose unmarked to emphatically bury a corner. Replays appeared to show that Le Toux was supposed to be marking him.

As the half wore on, Le Toux began to push more into his traditional striking role, albeit checking back at times. The industry of a United team motivated by their recent loss to Kansas City, however, proved too much for any serious threat. As was the case throughout the first, Le Toux was stymied by a combination of Wes Brown and Rafael in the 38th as he ran to the endline towards the ball. Brown expertly shielded Le Toux off the ball while Rafael hovered in support.

Brown proved far too physical for Le Toux, marking him off passes to the top of the box on two different occasions, with the United defender readily clearing the ball out of harms way. Incursions down the left wing were made all the more difficult by Nani’s willingness, despite a nagging injury that saw him sub out early, to check back with alacrity.

Northeast Philly native Bobby Convey (San Jose Earthquakes) subbed in for Le Toux at the start of the second half, which was at least much more competitive than the first. The chances were definitely there for the MLS side, but too many times the ball was sent directly at Edwin Van der Sar or off the woodwork.

Two quick goals by United negated a brilliant aerial display by substitute Brian Ching, who headed home inside the left post. Darron Gibson dropped a beautiful free kick into the upper left corner in the 70th, while reserves graduate Thomas Cleverley followed a brilliant pop-up over a would be defender by slotting to the left of the keeper.

United subs continued to do damage, as Javier Hernandez—Chicharito—struck home from the top of the box with a ball so well placed it spoke volumes of his potential and the onrushing keeper’s chagrin.

…the throwing together of stars posed a gross disadvantage as they ran up against a Manchester side with chemistry, poise, and star power on full display.

A recently entered Landon Donovan (L.A. Galaxy) could only look on in disgust. On in the 74th, his entry was already too late to provide anything resembling a spark. It was more towards respectability that the All-Stars would push in the late minutes, following their harrying of United upon a 90th minute Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC) schooling of Wes Brown—outside to inside—that led to an easy tally.

Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo) had a solid chance late following a brilliant feed into the box, but he shot directly into the keeper. He followed in the closing seconds by putting a free-kick off the post from distance. The All-Stars continued to press, but it was unfortunate the needed industry and poise in the attacking third came as the clock was winding down.

Still, 70,000 for a soccer match involving MLS—with the attendance no doubt helped by Chicharito’s presence—against anyone can hardly be scoffed at, even though for the first time in the history of the annual affair the throwing together of stars posed a gross disadvantage as they ran up against a Manchester side with chemistry, poise, and star power on full display.

Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union.

Ethnic social clubs and soccer in Philadelphia

Ethnic social clubs have long been both the starting place and the sustainer of soccer in many communities in the United States. The place of ethnic social clubs in the history of soccer in Philadelphia is no different. English, Scottish and Irish clubs were the founders of soccer in Philadelphia and team names such as Albion, Caledonian and Hibernian reflected the ethnicity of the players. Other team names such Kensington Rovers and Philadelphia North End referenced the names of established teams back in the old country.

As immigration patterns changed, new ethnic groups formed new social clubs that soon fielded teams of their own. Ethnic German immigrants from the Danubian plains of Hungary founded the club that would become United German Hungarians, which can trace its origins to the Banater Artbeiter-Verein, founded in 1906.

The principal activity of the club, apart from providing companionship and community support for people with a shared culture, traditions and language, was the formation of Maennerchors, or male choral groups. In 1910, Banater Maennerchor, the original name of United German Hungarians, was formed with some 48 members. There club was located at Eighth and Columbia until 1923 when they moved to Second and Norris. In the harsh conditions of industrial Philadelphia, Banater Maennerchor and other similar groups would be important places for workers to gather and discuss the hardships of work without the taint of political agitation. In 1939 the club changed its name to United German Hungarians of Philadelphia and Vicinity. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll refer to the club as UGH.

First soccer team is formed

The 1924-1925 first team squad

Following the First World War, increasing numbers of German-speaking immigrants began to arrive in Philadelphia and brought with them their love of soccer, a sport which had rapidly spread throughout Europe from Britain in the years leading up to the war. Their love of the game proved infectious and from informal games at club picnics the desire to form a proper team soon took hold.

On December 10, 1922, a Sports Section was formed by the club and a soccer team soon followed with practices at Burholme Park in Philadelphia’s Fox Chase neighborhood. Soon after, the team affiliated with the Football Association of Eastern Pennsylvania and District and was eligible for participating in exhibition games. In the fall of 1923 the team entered the Third Division of the league. The club’s 1972 booklet celebrating 50 years of soccer notes,

At the time there was a lot more body contact allowed, charging the goal tender was permissible, and these conditions were cause for many rough and hard-fought games. In the meantime the membership of the Sport Section had grown to around the four-hundred mark, and it was therefore necessary to form a Second Team in order to give more members an opportunity to play and at the same time develop players for the First Team.

Among those on the team was John Mayerfield, who would later serve as president of the Pennsylvania League, beginning a tradition of UGH playerswho also served the sport of soccer as administrators. That tradition would reach its height when Werner Fricker, captain of the 1965 United States Amateur Soccer Association Open Cup winning team, later became the head of the United States Soccer Federation from 1984 until 1990. During his tenure he led the successful US bid to host the 1994 World Cup.

In 1926 the club began to play its games at the grounds at Frankford and Robbins. That same year they traveled to Baltimore for their first game outside of Philadelphia to play the Baltimore Kickers, then considered one of the best German amateur soccer teams on the East Coast. UGH won a “moral victory” in the 1—1 draw “through desire and sheer aggressiveness.” Such spirit led to the club entering their First Team squad into the Second Division of the National League in 1927. The team made it through the first half of the season without being defeated to win “the first-half title.” In 1929 the team entered the First Division and also acquired a new field at Front and Olney.

Club and team grow

1931-1932 National League "First-Half" Championship team

The sport section of Banater Maennerchor had originally been called Banater Athletic Association but in 1930 changed its name to the German-Hungarian Sport Club. The experience of the First Team in the top flight of the league paid off when it won the league’s “first-half championship” in the 1931-1932 season, a feat repeated by the club’s Second Team in the league’s Third Division. In the 1931-1932 season UGH played Philadelphia Passon at Passon Field in Tacony in the first amateur night game in Philadelphia using portable lights mounted on a flatbed truck. They won 4–1.

In 1932 the First Team joined the Pennsylvania League, one of the top amateur leagues in the country, and during the 1932-1933 season the club moved to a new field at Rising Sun and Ella. All of the club’s soccer supporters pitched in to build a fence around the grounds in “a singular display of pride and solidarity,” making it the only enclosed pitch in the Pennsylvania League. That same year, the team played New York German Hungarians, a semi-professional team that played in the German American Soccer League, losing 4–1.

When the German cruiser Karlsruhe, the first German warship to visit the US since the end of the First World War, landed in Philadelphia in 1932, a picked-team of players from Philadelphia German clubs played the ship’s team, at the time the champions of the German navy. Three members of the UGH’s First Team played in this, the first international amateur friendly in Philadelphia since the Corinthians visited the city in 1911. The Philadelphia Germans “won the match quite handily.”

The First Team and its players weren’t the only one’s to perform well on the field. The Third Team won the Philadelphia Worker’s League title in 1936 and the Second Team won the North Philadelphia League championship in 1937.

Creation of Junior Section

Hoping to improve the quality of its teams, in 1935 the club hired James “Jimmy” Purvis, who had great success in Philadelphia playing for Fleisher Yarn (where he won the American Cup), Bethlehem Steel FC (21 goals in 22 games before a season ending injury) and Philadelphia FC, as player, coach and trainer. But perhaps more important was the formation of the club’s Junior Section for boys aged eight to twelve years old in on February 5, 1939. Realizing that many of the club’s players would soon be “called to the Colors,” some forward thinking club members realized that the “only hope for a good future in soccer rested on the development of very young players.”

The Junior Boys Section in 1942

By August enough players had joined this “midget” team to meet the experienced Lighthouse Midgets. Despite the game ending in a  5–0 loss, “there was no discouragement, but rather a sound realization that much practice, good physical condition and good sportsmanship were requisites for success in competitive sports.” Two of the men most involved in developing the club’s junior soccer program, Ted Kereczmann and Pete Noel, were instrumental in the formation of the “Midget” division of the Philadelphia Junior Soccer League.

By 1942 the demands on the Junior program, of which soccer was the most popular activity but also included basketball, wrestling and weight lifting as well as a Girls Section, were so great that Kereczmann was forced to make an impassioned plea for assistance from the club’s membership. “The immediate response was rather tepid,” but assistance soon came in the form of a Parents’ Organization. Nevertheless, the demands of the war meant a decline in participation in the Junior Section as young men were drafted or enlisted and parents were involved in the war effort.

Despite the decline in participation, the club still needed to field a team in order to maintain its league affiliation. In 1945 a team was entered into the the First Division of the Philadelphia Soccer League and played there for the rest of the 1940s without significant success. But a foundation built on the players of the Junior Section, along with returning servicemen and new immigrants from Europe, promised better things ahead.

Difficult post-war years

Along with the Philadelphia German Americans of the professional American Soccer League, UGH was a sponsor of the tour of Hamburg SC in 1950 and the picked team that faced them included several players from the club in the 5–0 loss. Other players were on the picked Philadelphia team that played Stuttgart Kickers in 1952 and lost 10–2.

UGH players and teams were doing much better against Philadelphia opposition. Having moved down to the Third Division of the Philadelphia League in 1951, they won the division championship and moved up to the Second Division instilled with greater confidence. On the team were players such as Johnny Jacoby and Matt Noel who were selected to tryout for the US Olympic team, as well as newly arrived immigrants. Still, the Korean War and the draft continued to draw off players and roster numbers declined. This, along with a serious funding crisis, resulted in the very real possibility that the club might not have enough players to field a team. An effective and persuasive recruiting effort resulted in enough players to field two teams. Among those recruited to play on the Second Team, which won the Second Division championship that year, was Werner Fricker, who had recently immigrated with his family to the US.

UGH players continued to represent Philadelphia in friendlies against visiting German teams such as Nuernberg, Kaiserslautern and Offenbacher Kickers. And while no trophies would be won in the 1950s, interest in playing was increasing, which lead to the formation of a third team for the 1957–1958 season.

The Golden Years

1965 USASA National Championship team. The team was captained by Werner Fricker, who later became president of the USSF.

In 1959 the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania was formed. It was at first an “outlaw” organization after it was refused recognition by the Eastern Pennsylvania and District soccer association, and thus by the governing body of US soccer. The league’s origins origins were in United Soccer, a group of German American sport and social clubs that promoted international friendlies. When recognition of the new league was granted in 1961, UGH missed winning the championship but only one point. They then proceeded to win the championship in each of the next six years. In between, in 1962, the club moved to its present location in Oakford, Bensalem Township.

The strong First Team, by now called the Major team, extended its winning record outside of league play when it won the Eastern United States Amateur Championship title, which led to an appearance in the 1963-1964 National Amateur Championship final against Schwaben AC of Chicago. Having played a grueling semifinal only the week before in Cleveland, UGH was unable to win the day: “The combination of fatigue and intense heat took its toll, and our boys succumbed 0:5 to a strong and superior Chicago team.”

From the moment the team landed back in Philadelphia, the club rallied around its team.

Naturally, it was a rather downhearted group which landed at Philadelphia International Airport after this disappointing loss, but the tremendous reception by Club members awaiting them upon their arrival quickly dispelled their gloom and instilled in them the determination to show their loyal supporters they had the ability and will to achieve a National Championship…Once the goal of a National Championship had been fixed, a rigorous period of training was established. Rain, snow and sleet were no deterrents. There was a goal to be reached and it could be attained only by strict adherence to rules and regulations.

The “Spartan-like” training regimen—aided by the installation of lights at the club’s field in 1963, the first for an amateur club in the Philadelphia area— paid off as “foe after foe was mowed down.” UGH faced Western US Amateur Champions St. Ambrose FC of St. Louis on June 27, 1965. In front of an overflow crowd, St. Louis was mowed down, too. The final was 6–0. The celebrations began early; UGH was up 5–0 at the half.

Capitalizing on the club’s national success, a program of international friendlies was begun against amateur teams from Germany, beginning in 1967 against Turngemeinde Heilbronn. UGH lost a close 1–0 game against the visitors bur fared better than the Philadelphia All-Star side, which lost 2–0. The following year, Tennis Borussia Berlin visited. In 1969 came TSV Meinaschaff and Phoenix Durmersheim, followed by Eintracht Lueneburg and Allemania Karisruhe in 1970, the same year that UGH once again reached the National Amateur Cup final, losing to Chicago Kickers. 1971 saw visits by Neustadt-Diespeck and TSV Ottobeuren. In 1972 the club hosted Falke-Steinfeld and FC Perlach.

Between the 1959-1960 and the 50th anniversary of soccer at UGH in 1972, the Major team had a remarkable record of 254 wins, 34 losses and 19 ties, winning ten league championships, nine Eastern District championships, three Eastern US Amateur Championships and one National amateur championship. Such success could not go unnoticed and the club drew the attention of the USSF. Three players—Arthur Jethon, Werner Fricker and Otto Brand—were variously selected for the US Pan-American and Olympic teams in 1963, 1964, and 1967.

The club continued to expand its youth soccer program, formalized as the Junior Soccer program in 1964. One of the Junior teams, the Junior Red Team for boys aged 15–18 years old, was the undefeated champion of the Inter-County League, which the team joined in 1965, for four consecutive years and was the Eastern Pennsylvania District Champion in the National Junior Cup.

Continuing national success

The impact at of UGH at the national level continued in 1977 when they appeared in the finals of both the National Amateur Cup and the US Open Cup. Although they lost both games, the first against Denver Kickers and the second against Maccabi of Los Angeles, appearing in two national finals in the same year was a considerable achievement. They reached the final of the US Open Cup again in 1993, losing 5–0  to CD Mexico of San Francisco. Meanwhile, a former UGH player would be central to the US successfully winning the bid to host the 1994 World Cup.

Werner Fricker

Werner Fricker, the captain of the 1965 National Amateur Cup winning team who had been joined the club in the 1952 recruitment drive soon after his family had emigrated to the US, had long served both the club and local and regional soccer organizations as an administrator. By the early 1980s, Fricker was a vice-president at the USSF where, in 1981, he had started the U-20 program.

When Colombia dropped out as host of the 1986 World Cup and then USSF president Gene Edwards refused to make a bid, the leadership of the then-faltering NASL turned to Fricker to organize a bid to replace Colombia. Though the bid was ultimately unsuccessful, Fricker’s leadership was recognized when he replaced Edwards to become president of the governing body of US soccer in 1984. Fricker would go on to successfully lead the bid to host the 1994 World Cup.

Along the way he initiated the program that insured that US national team players who were not affiliated with a professional team would have contracts with the USSF—personally guaranteeing the line of credit that financed the program. The program was instrumental in the successful campaign to qualify for the 1990 World Cup, the first appearance by the US since 1950. He also oversaw the formation of the US women’s national team in 1985 and the launch of the U-17 boys program. During his tenure, which ended in 1990, he laid the groundwork that turned the federation from insolvency to a successful business by signing the agreement with Soccer USA Partners. It is not an exaggeration to say that Fricker, who passed away in 2001, is the man who built the foundation of US Soccer’s present success. Fricker was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1992 and CONCACAF Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2002, USSF created the Werner Fricker Builder Award in his honor.

The club’s connection to the US National Team also includes Peter Vermes, who played in the 1990 World Cup and is currently the coach of Kansas City Wizards. Vermes played at the club in 1987, the year before he won his first cap for the US.

UGH closed out the 20th Century by winning the 1999 National Amateur Cup by defeating Detroit Arsenal. Now celebrating it’s 100th anniversary, the club will host the 2010 National Amateur Cup Final July 30 through July 31, having previously hosted the event in 1989, 1994, 2000 and 2004. The final will feature four women’s and twelve men’s teams in the Amateur, Open and Over 30 competitions. The chairman of the National Cup committee is Werner Fricker, Jr. UGH was only two games away from appearing in the tournament but lost on penalty kicks.

Photos courtesy of United German Hungarians.

Akpoji now plays for his high school, Suncoast Community High School, in Florida. Since playing striker for his school’s varsity team, Akpoji has compiled some amazing stats. In three seasons he has scored 62 goals, 11 assists, tallying 197 points. And he hasn’t even started his senior year.

These impressive stats have him dreaming of a pro career. Where does he want to play?

That’s right, the Philadelphia Union.

“I see a lot of promise in the team, as they are a new expansion team and they have a great coaching staff,” Akpoji says. “The fans—from what I’ve seen—are amazing. The loyalty, the passion, everything about them is amazing. I like the promise that Philadelphia Union has.”

Akpoji says his favorite Union player is Danny Mwanga because they play the same role and have the same build, calling Mwanga a “very bright star.” He wears #11 because Didier Drogba is his favorite player and has been since Akpoji was 6 years old.

Akpoji says his most memorable soccer moment was scoring a brace for his U-14 club in a semi-final game that the team went on to win 3-2.

It says on his Facebook page, “When I get older I wanna be able to say to my kids, ‘I’m going to work,’ and step on the pitch.” Whether Akpoji’s dream will become a reality is too soon to say. But, maybe one day, Akpoji jerseys will be for sale in the Union club shop.

On Wednesday night she scored two goals and an assist in the Independence’s 3–0 win over Chicago Red Stars. Rodriguez scored two goals against Sky Blue FC on Saturday, both of which were assisted by Caroline Seger. She returned the favor against Chicago by assisting Seger’s goal in the 53rd minute.

Rodriguez has scored in six consecutive matches. Her eleven goals on the season put her just two goals behind league leader Marta.

Independence coach Paul Riley said, “She is brilliant right now, and everybody knows she is hot and her efficiency right now is unbelievable.”

Rodriguez scored her first goal in the 12th minute when Lori Lindsey intercepted a bad clearance. She delivered the ball to Rodriguez who was charging into open space on the left. Rodriguez took a touch and blasted a shot that deflected off of a defender into goal.

Rodriguez scored again the the 26th minute when she ran on to a long clearance from Nikki Krzysik to chip the Chicago keeper from 25 yards out.

“It’s been the same story lately,” Rodriguez said, “but I’ll take it as long as we keep winning.”

“It was a perfect pass from A-rod,” Seger said after the game. “She had two passes from me last week, so I think she felt like she owed me one.”

Val Henderson earned the shutout for the Independence, her second of the season.

Riley said, “I think we played great football tonight. It wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a good win for us. These three points put us in good stead moving forward.”

“I told my team at the end of the game, sometimes you just have to take your hat off and tip it to the better team,” said  Chicago Red Stars coach Omid Namazi. ” We lost to the better team tonight, they deserved it.”

The Independence next face Washington Freedom away on August 4.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Independence.

Somebody else takes a picture of PSP photographer Nicolae Stoian

Congratulations to PSP photographer Nicolae Stoian! Nicolae is one of eight photographers selected by Photographers for Hope to photograph the 2010 Homeless World Cup, taking place in Rio de Janeiro in September. The project is being organized in conjunction with United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace and the Brazilian branch of the Sport for Social Change Network. Nicolae and his fellow selectees will be guided by famed photographer David Burnett and will work with local NGOs. The US team at the World Cup is being backed by Street Soccer USA. A group show of the photographers—who come from Geneva, Milan, Berlin, Dubai, Hong Kong as well as Philadelphia— work will travel to New York, Geneva and to London in time for the 2012 Olympics. We’ll be featuring his photos during the World Cup.

Union

Reuters has a nice profile of MLS’s “other Frenchman,” the Union’s own Sebastien Le Toux. Le Toux  says he was surprised to start for the MLS All-Stars in Wednesday night’s dismal loss to Manchester United, of which the less said (particularly that second goal, M. Le Toux), the better.

Here’s a head-to-head preview of Saturday’s match against New England Revolution.

Local

ESPN Deportes Radio will be available in Philadelphia starting on August 2. Tune into 860 AM.In related media news, FSC will be available in HD on DirceTV starting August 11. Comcast, are you listening?

MLS

A proposed soccer specific stadium in Baltimore could become the new home of DC United.

Is MLS head Don Garber a suck dog? He is when talking to British reporters about Man United fan discontent with the Glazers, the American family that turned the club they own from being debt free to more than a billion dollars in debt in the space of a few years. Said Garber, “if I were a Manchester United fan I’d be feeling pretty good about my team. They’re winning trophies. They’re powerful and popular around the world, and I’m not quite sure what all the hubbub is about.” Tool. Sir Alex Ferguson added his own two cents on CNN.

Landon Donovan talks about his transfer options.

David Beckham will return to the Galaxy next week and could be fit enough to begin training by the end of August.

Sacha Kljestan scored in his Champions League debut for Belgian side Anderlecht.

Etc.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has attacked Paul the Octopus as a symbol of decadence and decay and accused the cephalopod of spreading “western propaganda and superstition.” Sure, sure, sure. But he’s pretty good at picking winners, right?

Freddy Adu is on trial with Swiss side FC Sion. Will he ever find a home?

It looks like Mark Hughes is going to get the Fulham job.

Ex-Argentina boss Maradona says he was “lied to” and “betrayed.”

Preparations for the 2014 World Cup are slow in Brazil.

"Don't talk about Landon unless you want to see me throw a hissy fit!"

As I sat outside Don Garber’s house waiting for the waaaaaambulance to take him away up following his sad, egomaniacal rant about Landon Donovan (one that he completely backtracked on at the MLS Allstar game last night), I realized that there is another member of the men’s national team who has served his country well but should now be allowed to move on.

When Bob Bradley was promoted as the interim coach of the red, white and blue, it was following the dismal three and out at the 2006 World Cup. While the USSF went about securing a permanent manager, he set to the task of improving a series of ills that plagued the American team.  One of those concerns was stagnation within the player pool, which he fixed early with a string of young call ups that brought energy to a side that went on to record some impressive results.

WE WIN!

Where Bruce Arena succeeded in raising the level on the national team to the best of his abilities, so did Bradley. During the past four-year cycle, the Americans have stepped into the roll of favorites, enduring far fewer anxious moments against the minnows of CONCACAF and continually issuing reminders to our neighbors to the south that their days of North American dominance are over.

Yes, and the Spain victory, that was sweet too.

But, facing facts is important. Only two coaches in the 2010 World Cup were holdovers from 2006 tournament and one of those is professional crazy person Raymond Domenech. And with a clear (relatively) path to the semifinals in their sights the US failed to take the opportunity with both hands.

Upon their return from South Africa, Bradley and Donovan appeared on the Daily Show, and it was clear to anyone who follows the game or either man’s career that, although they were pleased to have been part of a famous moment, they knew they should have done better.

It is time to free Bob Bradley and pursue a new coach, one who can instill in these players the confidence that they are not just resilient fighters, but talented, technical players who can dictate a match instead of absorb it.

That search, is a discussion for another time.

Now, instead of killing Bob Bradley for his flaws, let’s look at the aspects of his coaching style that make him a good fit for a new club. While the Fulham job seems out of reach, with Mark Hughes now installed as the favorite, Bradley has the mentality and pedigree to get it done in England. To hear pundits dismiss his name out of hand is not just anti-American, it is plain foolish.

Loyalty

"I Heart Bornstein."

A lot is made of Bob Bradley’s loyalty, sticking through thick and thin with players like Jonathan Bornstein. While he deserves to shoulder considerable blame for some questionable selections (you will still never convince me that Rico Clark was healthy enough to be playing), Bradley’s trust lies with the guys who got him where he is. Ultimately, there’s not a whole lot wrong with that—especially considering a move to Europe with the rampant instability in the transfer market, and players cast aside without as much as an explanation. A manager who is highly respected for his loyalty to his the men who go to work for him should make him a hot commodity.

In a mid to lower table English club, Bradley could once again flourish amidst the opportunity of working with a smaller core of players and building them within his mold. He is a coach that helped construct the expansion Chicago Fire and immediately took them to an MLS Cup title. Later, following a disastrous first league season, he stepped into the Chivas USA, righting that ship. No longer burdened with the daunting task of scouting, selecting and fielding a team from the (relatively) vast US player pool, Bradley’s strong, personal relationships with individual players would serve to strengthen a club, rather than cause public outcry.

Fitness

As a Spurs’ supporter I remember a time in the not too distant past when Martin Jol (selected to manage Fulham until Ajax refused to allow his departure) was sacked from White Hart Lane following some truly dreadful results. When his successor, Juande Ramos took the reigns he was appalled by the awful diet and conditioning habits of many of his senior players. As a supporter, I was disgusted to hear that many of my favorite, albeit underperforming, players were as many as 20 pounds overweight based purely on their unsupervised diets.

Enter Bob Bradley. With the decidedly American approach to nutrition, conditioning, and strength training carefully calibrated to each individual player, is there anyone who could doubt the kind of results he would achieve in the fitness of his entire side?  While there would initially be whining about the strenuous preparations, players competing at the top level of the game would be remiss to not buy in to Bradley’s program.

Unity

As the US battled through a grueling pre-tournament training camp, the sentiments of the players were largely redundant. They hated the running and they hated the extra running and they really did not enjoy the weight training on top of the extra running. But, to a man, they all knew it would help them and they were all thankful for the opportunity. Those type of situations breed unity and teamwork, forging relationships amongst players who not only understand each other as soccer players, but also want to work hard for their teammates. Every time Ian Darke or Martin Tyler marveled at the Americans’ resiliency, Bob Bradley should have earned a gold star.  Character players help make cohesive teams, but without a manager properly pulling the strings in the build up to a major tournament, that type of unity does not occur.

The almighty 4-4-2

"My Name is Peter and I can't find the goal."

While Bradley spent the run up to the World Cup hammering square pegs into the round hole left by Charlie Davies, one needed to only pause and look at the Americans’ first opponent England to see the same story playing out. With Wayne Rooney (injured or not) attempting to lead from the front with a bevy of talented midfielders set to support him, Fabio Capello almost begrudgingly stuck with the traditional 4-4-2, trotting out Emile “Shrek” Heskey and Peter “I Suck at Soccer” Crouch to miss chance after chance. While England sulked their way out of the tournament through poor performances, the Americans’ fate was sealed not because of poor performances, but because of lack of sharpness and pedigree around goal.  In a country that prizes the formation he preaches, Bradley would have the option to fill out his lineup with players that suit his preferred tactical methods.

Not coaching his son

Here to stay.

If there is anyone still out there who thinks that Michael Bradley starts every important US match because he is the coach’s son, you are wrong. Very wrong. That said, while they are two frequently scowly men, it’s hard not to wonder if questions about favoring his son above the other players wears at the elder Bradley. A parting of ways might see a new coach put the extra work into the talented young midfielder to help him realize his enormous potential without shouts of nepotism because Michael Bradley will be the anchor of the US midfield for a long time.

So, please US Soccer, free Bob Bradley.  Don’t sack or demean him. Don’t remind him of what could have been. Thank him for his service to our country and wish him safe travels. Hopefully he will get an opportunity abroad and his efforts there can continue to enrich the American soccer tradition.

Bobby Convey against Brazil

Sacha Klejstan, Justin Mapp, Bobby Convey, Jermaine Jones, and Charlie Davies all missed out on playing for the US at the 2010 World Cup earlier this summer. Each of them is talented, and some are obviously in another class. However, all of them have the talent to help the US during the next World Cup qualifying cycle.

With the exception perhaps of Jermaine Jones all of them are young enough to play for the US at the 2014 World Cup. Jermaine Jones would be 32 and might still be playing well enough to be considered. Both Jermaine Jones and Charlie Davies would have been locks to go to South Africa if long term injuries hadn’t kept them out.

Charlie Davies is on the road to recovery and recently started for Sochaux in a pre-season friendly. Jermaine Jones also appears to be further down the road to recovery as he was also involved in a pre-season friendly at Schalke 04. Davies’ speed and finishing would really help the US team against tough opponents like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Honduras during World Cup qualifying, while Jermaine Jones’ defensive qualities could help break up the attacking flair of these opponents.

Sacha Klejstan appeared to be headed to South Africa until a late dip in form saw him out of the team. He is still young and could be important to the US. He is currently playing for Anderlecht in Belgium. He recently scored in a Champions League qualifier against a Welsh club called the New Saints. Hopefully Klejstan will get his mind right and flourish in Europe. Belgium seems like an excellent place to start because it isn’t a great league, but it is still good enough to challenge Klejstan. In addition Klejstan might get time in the Champions League or the UEFA Cup.

Justin Mapp has shown flashes of brilliance before for the US National team in friendly matches, however, he seems to drift in and out of games. If he can become a more consistent player, then he should really help his new team, the Philadelphia Union, and ought to be able to contribute against CONCACAF opposition. When Mapp is on his game he is fun to watch because he can take players on and beat them. Let’s hope he steps up his game after coming to Philadelphia.

Bobby Convey used to play for Reading and showed some incredible flashes of brilliance, however, injuries have knocked him out of English soccer for the time being. His first season back in MLS for the San Jose Earthquakes was mediocre, but he has been on fire this season. If Bobby Convey can get back to his old form, then he should be able to light up MLS and possibly get back to playing in Europe. He could be an excellent winger for the US and could really hurt CONCACAF opposition.

Do you think Charlie Davies will get back to his prior form? Has Justin Mapp peaked or can he get better? Will Klejstan ever be a consistent US National Team starter? What do you think of these players?

We don’t care about the SuperLiga.

Euro friendlies? Nice, gets you some exposure and ticket revenue, but nobody cares who wins.

Tonight’s MLS all-star match is nice, but the same Man U team of backups facing the all-stars already lost to a 10-man Kansas City squad that’s one of the league’s worst.

What (should) matter most are the following:

• Regular season and playoffs (although too many teams make the playoffs);
• CONCACAF Champions League;
• U.S. Open Cup.

So when your league’s best team loses 4-1 at home to a second division squad in Champions League, it’s absolutely inexcusable.

That’s right. The Los Angeles Galaxy lost 4-1 at home to the Puerto Rico Islanders. With center back Omar Gonzalez, left back Todd Dunivant, and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts on the bench, the league’s best defense barely showed up to play. It’s like the Galaxy didn’t even try to win.

Heads up: Champions League matters. The opportunity to play in the Club World Cup against teams like Barcelona or Inter Milan matters. The opportunity to win internationally recognized trophies matters. When you blow it off and treat it as though it doesn’t, MLS gets embarrassed, as it did last night with the . Don’t give me this bit about an experienced team or whatever.  Yeah, we know Puerto Rico was a Champions League semifinalist last year. Big freaking deal. This is the best team in MLS by far, and they got smoked. All the excuses translates to is “blah blah didn’t take it seriously, got our buts kicked, blah.”

MLS was recently ranked the world’s 88th best domestic professional soccer league by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

Yes, we all know the league is far better than that, probably ranking somewhere from 15th to 25th, much like the Russian league is far better than its perch at No. 44. The rankings heavily factored in Champions League showings.

The choice to blow off Champions League games is foolish, much like the complete lack of respect for the U.S. Open Cup. Every serious domestic league in the world has at least one major cup competition and Champions League. I’d much rather watch a meaningful Champions League game against Chivas Guadalajara or Saprissa, two of the best teams in Mexico and Honduras, or a U.S. Open Cup match against the Red Bulls or Harrisburg than Celtic’s second teamers.

Fans would take Champions League and U.S Open Cup seriously if only MLS clubs would. Yet they don’t. American professional soccer gets a black eye as a result.

Do you want MLS to be taken more seriously by top players considering playing in the U.S. and Canada? Winning the Champions League and going to the Club World Cup would be a start.

Then, instead of meaningless friendlies against second stringers, an MLS team could play the world’s top clubs in games that actually matter.

Le Toux is looking forward to a rematch with Man Utd, “I’m hoping to score this time against them.” Do it for the Union and for Philly! The game is on ESPN2 at 8:30pm.

Here’s a head-to-head look at tonight’s match by position.

USSoccerPlayers.com takes a look back at the record of MLS All-Star teams against international opposition.

The Wall Street Journal wonders if playing top European clubs boosts the ratings of the All-Star game.

A coin flip at half time will determine whether Portland Timbers or Vancouver Whitecaps will get the first pick in next year’s Expansion Draft, SuperDraft, as well as priority in other player acquisition mechanisms.

Union

Coming off of a hard 3–2 loss to Charleston Battery on Saturday, the Harrisburg City Islanders hosted the Union in a friendly on Tuesday night, a full recap of which by our very own Tim Ulrich you can read here. The game ended as a 1–1 draw thanks to a Jordan Harvey own-goal just moments after Danny Mwanga put the Union on the board. The Union “opened with a representative lineup that featured all of its starting defensive backfield and several other regulars,” with Seitz starting the game and Knighton between the posts in the second half. JT Noone played the first 30 minutes for Harrisburg and the final 29 minutes for the Union.

Chicago Fire All-Star Marco Pappa says the Mapp transfer was no surprise.

Brad Knighton is enjoying playing against the likes of Celtic and Man U.

Soccer365.com has five reasons why the Union are important to MLS and US Soccer.

Independence

The Inquirer looks at Independence and US national team star Amy Rodriguez. The Independence host Boston Breakers tonight.

Caroline Seger is Goal.com’s WPS player of the week.

Local

Soccer America’s Paul Gardner takes a swipe at the McGuire Cup, which FC Delco lost to Crew Juniors over the weekend: “typical of the white, middle-class suburban soccer that has become the staple feeder line for college soccer. Unimaginative, frantic, monotonous in its banality and its inability to show even a flash or two of something different, something other than honest running and hard work and scrappy battles to gain possession of the ball.” C’mon Paul, what do you really think?

MLS

Sir Alex Ferguson sees a fast improvement in the quality of soccer in MLS: “We realized that in the game against Philadelphia.”

LA Galaxy were thumped at home by USL side Puerto Rico Islanders in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League preliminary-round series, 4–1. Yes, Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle both played for the Galaxy, whose lone goal was actually a Puerto Rico own-goal.

London’s The Telegraph looks at the Thierry Henry move to the Energy Drinks, “just the latest step on MLS chief Don Garber’s path to world domination.”

Garber is reportedly focused on making sure the league’s 20th team in New York. You know, because attendance has always been so great for the one that’s already there.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who played for Seattle Sounders in the old NASL, says he would be willing to loan players to MLS: “if a player needs experience, this is a good league to get it.”

Kansas City Wizards has seen a dramatic increase in season ticket sales following their victory over Manchester United. Here’s a peek at their new stadium, set to open in June 2011.

US

Ajax, Besiktas and Fenerbahce are reportedly interested in Jozy Altidore, as well as several Premiership clubs, including Fulham. Clint Dempsey has reported to Fulham for training.

Here’s a look at how the playing style of the US national team is shaped by youth coaches.

ESPN looks at Herculez Gomez’s plans at Pachuca.

Sir Alex Ferguson thinks highly of Bob Bradley.

US midfielder Anton Peterlin, released by Everton in June, has joined Plymouth.

Etc.

Maradona’s contract with Argentina will not be renewed, causing footy journalists all over the world to weep.

Will he or won’t he? Fernando Torres will. Stay in Liverpool, that is. At least he says he wants to.

Here’s a look at Portsmouth’s absolutely terrible North American tour. Yeah, I didn’t know they were visiting either. Pity poor Pompey.

FSC has canceled Fox Football Fone-In.

About 2,000 fans came out tonight to watch the Harrisburg City Islanders take on the Philadelphia Union in the first-ever installment of their annual friendly match. Of those 2,000, many were clad in Union gear, many sported scarves and jerseys, and everyone got an up-close look at their chosen team. I think respect was exchanged both ways as fans and followers of the Union got a solid introduction to their USL-2 affiliate and die-hard Isles fans might have a better reason to pull for that new team in Chester. The game was back and forth in the first half but stalled out around the 60 minute mark as neither team looked threatening and ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Union looked dangerous from the 15 minute mark on through the halftime whistle with solid wing play from Fred and Andrew Jacobson. Danny Mwanga headed home a short cross from Fred just before the 30 minute mark and the Islanders did not often escape from their own end minus a handful of long clearances.  (Insert ugly) One of those clearances, the one just after the Union goal actually, found its way to a streaking Jason Hotchkin who crossed it into a vacant middle. The target-less cross was misplayed by Jordan Harvey who managed to collide with an oncoming Chris Seitz as the ball trickled into the Union’s net (end ugly).

Its hard to say—aside from that comically bad own-goal—the Union played reasonably well, but I’m going to say it anyway. The Union went right back to threatening the Islanders goal and trying to find Mwanga as if nothing had happened—points to them for shaking off the mistake at least.

I use the phrase “reasonably well” because through the first 15 minutes of the game, and for large sections of it thereafter, the Union could not manage to pass through the Islanders. They later succeeded in passing around them, passing over them, and forcing them into poor passes, but never successfully broke down the Islanders defense head on. Whether you argue that its a friendly matchup, or a game played without your veteran strikers, there are few excuses for not being able to attack a lower division team head on. Conversely, cheers to the City Islanders for playing hard-nosed, unapologetic defense and frustrating the middle of the Union attack. I realize this was a game for fitness and practice for both teams, but there are lessons to be learned here both for the players and coaches alike.

Game Notes:

The City Islanders sat down their normally reliable starter Danny Cepero to give some minutes to back-up goalie Tomer Chencinski. Chencinski responded with two full stretch saves robbing Nick Zimmerman of a half-volley chance and snatching a goal-bound strike from Andrew Jacobson. He had little chance to stop the Mwanga header and did everything Coach Bill Becher could have asked of him.

Michael Orozco again streaked past the near post on a corner and connected sending a laser just over the bar in the 20th minute. It was eerily similar to his Goal of the Week nominated goal which opened the scoring against Toronto two Saturdays ago. Orozco also managed to avoid discipline from the referee just before the half as he snapped his head back after gaining possession and opened a gash across the forehead of Islander forward Jason Hotchkin.

J.T. Noone played a total of 59 minutes in the friendly—30 in an Islanders kit, and 29 in the second half for the Union. It’s pretty clear that Philadelphia’s favorite guest player and long-term trialist has a roster spot with his name on it—it’s just a question of when.

Le Toux (All Star Game), Moreno (injury), Torres (injury), and Mapp (recent acquisition) were not with the Union. Salinas and Perk were in attendance and dressed but did not play.

Fans who hung around after the match were treated to a dual autograph session as nearly all the Islanders and Union players stayed out. Danny Califf also went up and thanked each person in the supporters section individually after he was beckoned over with shouts of  ‘O Captain, My Captian’. And the thumbnail at the top is correct (and would have been no matter what stand the Sons of Ben sat in) as Skyline Sports complex is located on City Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River.

And finally, the player I enjoyed watching most in the match was recently returned Union man Kyle Nakazawa. ‘Naka’, as teammates yell for him on the field, found space in the final third time after time but failed either to make a chance out of it or successfully connect with a teammate. Despite those shortcomings, which were both exciting and frustrating, Nakazawa ripped 4 or 5 free kicks into the area with astounding accuracy and impressive curl. I’m excited to have Kyle back healthy as his skill on a dead ball is second to none on the Union roster.

The Islanders, The Upper 90, and the Philadelphia Union websites will likely all have more coverage either tonight or tomorrow morning.