Featured image: Earl Gardner
2011 was a great year for Philly soccer fans. The Philadelphia Union made it to the playoffs in
just their second season. For the second year in a row, and their second year of existence, the
Philadelphia Independence made it to the WPS Finals. Nearly 58,000 turned out to see the Union play
Real Madrid at the Linc, where the USMNT would host Mexico only a few weeks later (even if the home
support was outnumbered by the support for the visitors at both games).
Editor's note: The MLS partnership with Opta Sports has resulted in richer ways to
understand the performance of the Philadelphia Union and its players through statistical analysis.
PSP's efforts to collect and share match statistics have been enhanced by the deeper analysis
offered by Ford Bohrmann.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Philadelphia Union
Tim Ream's giveaway to Danny Mwanga that resulted in the Roger Torres game winning goal when New
York played the Union at PPL in April has been named the Gaffe of the Year by MLSsoccer.com. Yeah,
it was pretty gaffable.
An AP report at ESPN begins, "Major League Soccer player Freddy Adu will train with Rayo
Vallecano and may join the Spanish club.
At the time of this writing, no programming information was available for Fox Soccer Channel
for Saturday, December 31 and Sunday, January 1.
Friday, December 30
2:45pm Liverpool vs Newcastle United FSC
7:30pm Xelaju vs Comunicaciones (Copa Mesoamericana) Azteca America
9:30pm Jaguares vs Isidro Metpan (Copa Mesoamericana) Azteca America
Saturday, December 31
7:15am Leicester City vs Portsmouth FSP, foxsoccer.
Featured image: Paul Rudderow
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
I saved Migs for my last player review of the season because really, what else is there to
say?
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
Is Freddy Adu already thinking about returning to Europe?
A report from SI titled "Adu to train with Spanish club with eye on move" says Rayo Vallecano
sporting director Felipe Minambres told The Associated Press on Thursday, "This is the first step,
that he comes and trains and gets to know us and the club, and we get to know him.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
Ives Galarcep reports at Fox Soccer that Freddy Adu is heading to with Spanish side Rayo
Vallecano for a two-week training stint. The report notes, "Rayo Vallecano is also a club that had
been in talks with Adu about signing him last summer before Adu settled on a return to MLS.
Featured image: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
In an effort to prop up a struggling attack, the Union announced the signing of Serbian forward
Veljko Paunovic on 13 June 2011.
On June 9, 1916, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, "Word was received in this city yesterday
that all arrangements had been completed for an All-American soccer team to tour Sweden and Norway
in July. The Sweden Football Association, through its secretary, C.L. Kornerup, has cabled a
guarantee of $4000 to cover the expenses of the trip.
If you didn't see the Chelsea v Fulham match yesterday, it was a 1-1 tie. Amobi Okugo sums it up
well on the twitter.
The Red Bulls continue to insist they will embrace another MLS team in the Big Apple. It's going
to be lonely playing in front of 1,500 people in Harrison in 2014.
Alex Morgan is one of Scott French's best stories of 2011.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
Keon Daniel first showed up as the unknown trialist.
Editor's note: For your offseason pleasure, PSP is happy to present an eight-part fiction
series entitled The Pine Barrens League. In part three, Scnauzer and company play a
bunch of nasty Wall Street types. Look for each new installment on Monday mornings through the end
of January.
All of us at PSP hope you had a Happy Christmas and are recovering well from the excitements
of the day. Here's a brief news roundup to look at in between naps and one of the Boxing Day games
from England on Fox Soccer Channel.
Philadelphia Union
The Goalkeeper projects various Union starting XI's depending on different scenarios (attacking
formation, defensive formation, departures for the Olympics), starting with the basic assumption
that most (if not all) of the recent signings will automatically start, and looks at what this
could mean to players who were on the 2011 roster.
MLSSoccer.com has a chat with former Reading United star Andrew Wenger, who has signed with
Generation Adidas and will go into the MLS amateur draft.
Arsene Wenger really is trying to get Thierry Henry for a two-month loan. Anything Landon can do
... ?
U.S. forward Eddie Johnson has signed with Puebla in Mexico, where DaMarcus Beasley is having
such a good season.
Photo: Earl Gardner
With the signing of Porfirio Lopez yesterday, the Philadelphia Union continued a busy offseason
that has already addressed many glaring needs.
Since the 2011 season ended in defeat at Houston, the Union have parted ways with Justin Mapp,
purchased the rights to a Costa Rican striker, a Costa Rican fullback, and a Panamanian utilityman,
signed a Tanzanian winger through the re-entry draft, and added a homegrown player.
Photo: Earl Gardner
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
When the Philadelphia Union took goalkeeper Zac MacMath as their first round pick in the 2011
MLS Superdraft, many a fan and pundit were left saying "Huh?
File Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Philadelphia Union
Peter Nowak answered questions from reporters via tele-conference on Thursday on the club's
recent signings. See our report, published on Thursday night, for an overview of what was
discussed. Also, look for a second report from the press conference later this morning for more
quotes and analysis, particularly in regards to how the team plan to handle the number of
internationals now on the roster and the status of Keon Daniel.
Peter Nowak spoke to the press today, only hours after the Union announced Costa Rican left back
Porfirio Lopez as the team's fifth offseason signing.
"Porfirio [Lopez] has a great capacity going back and forth and taking pride at defending, and
that's a part we take a look at very closely," Nowak said.
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
While much has been said about the arrival of Faryd Mondragon and its effect on the stability of
the Union's defense, the arrival of Carlos Valdes has been just important.
Philadelphia Union
The Union's Central American pipeline continued to flow with the announcement this morning of
the signing of 26-year-old Costa Rican left back Porfirio Lopez, one day after the announcement of
the signing of Panamanian midfielder Gabriel Gomez and two weeks after the signing of Costa Rican
forward Josue Martinez.
The Philadelphia Union announced on Thursday the signing of Costa Rican left back Porfirio
Lopez.
The 26-year-old Lopez, who was on loan with Costa Rica's First Division Champion Liga Deportiva
Alajuelense from Chinese Dalian Haichang.
The press release from the Union says, "Lopez will be eligible to join the Union upon receiving
his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.
The Philadelphia Union announced on Wednesday that they have signed Panamanian international
Gabriel "Gavilan" Gomez.
The press release says "the central midfielder will be eligible to join the Union upon receiving
his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Per MLS and Club policy, terms of the
agreements were not disclosed.
By 1916, exhibition soccer games on Christmas Day were a Philadelphia tradition that dated back
at least to the inaugural season of the city's first organized league, the Pennsylvania Football
Union, in 1889. As was the case then, the exhibition game in 1916 took place at the grounds of one
of Philadelphia's professional baseball teams, this time at the Phillies Ball Park.
Featured image: Paul Rudderow
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
A striker can go missing for long stretches, only to pop up and score with a single touch.
Philadelphia Union
Tweet from Freddy Adu: "Happy Holidays to everyone. Love the holiday season."
In Goal.com's survey of the Eastern Conference there is this review of the the Union's 2011
season in a sentence: "Another season of incremental growth for a young squad still in need of a
couple of pieces to compete for MLS Cup.
Women's soccer
Abby Wambach is the AP's 2011 Female Athlete of the Year. Come on, WPS. Capitalize on this!
The USWNT will face Denmark, Norway and World Champions Japan in the 2012 Algarve Cup, which
runs Feb. 29-March 7 in Portugal.
THE Val Henderson has a great article up on ESPN-WÂ about Joanna Lohman and Lianne Sanderson
traveling to India to start a clinic and mentoring program.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
It was a disappointing second year for Jack McInerney.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
With their first three picks in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, the Union selected two strikers and a
holding midfielder. All teenagers and, thus, long term projects, fans were still a bit surprised to
see a veteran striker and holding middie arrive during the offseason.
Editor's note: For your offseason pleasure, PSP is happy to present an eight-part fiction
series entitled The Pine Barrens League. In part three, Scnauzer and company play a
bunch of nasty Wall Street types. Look for each new installment on Monday mornings through the end
of January.
Photo: Earl Gardner
Philadelphia Union
Freddy Adu, Zac MacMath, Jack McInerney, Amobi Okugo and Sheanon Williams have all reported to
the U-23 Olympic qualifying camp in Florida. More on the camp here.
Covering a scrimmage on Sunday at the U-23 camp, SBI tweeted, "Worst tackle of the half was
Okugo on Union teammate McInerney.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
There's only one piece of soccer news that really matters to American soccer fans today, and no,
Eli, it's not that Philadelphia Union signed a deal with Rosenberg's Peanut Chews, which apparently
are a source of some great conflict among the PSP staff.
Yep, it's Landon Donovan going to Everton.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
What a roller-coaster ride 2011 was for Philadelphia's favorite Frenchman.
Friday, December 16
2:30pm: Bayern München vs Köln - ESPN Deportes, ESPN3
Saturday, December 17
1:30am: Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC FSC
9:30am: Freiburg vs Borussia Dortmund GolTV
10am: Everton vs Norwich City FSC (5pm on Fox Deportes)
10am: Blackburn Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion foxsoccer.
Photo: Courtesy of FIFA
Philadelphia Union
A new article from Kerith Gabriel on Friday morning about a Gabriel Gomez to the Philadelphia
Union deal is headlined "Panama's Gomez signs with Union" but the copy says "According to sources,
the contract has been approved by Major League Soccer and awaits Gomez' signature before the Union
can schedule an announcement, which can come as early as next week.
Photo: Michael Long
In the latest edition of the KYW Philly Soccer Show podcast, KYW's Greg
Orlandini and co-hosts Eli Pearlman-Storch and Mike Servedio of the Philly Soccer Page, talk about
US Soccer's sanctioning of WPS and the Philadelphia Union's signing of Jimmy McLaughlin to a
Homegrown Player contract.
Photo: Earl Gardner
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
Zach Pfeffer was signed as the Union's first Homegrown player before the beginning of the 2011
season at the ripe old age of 15.
Philadelphia Union
Kerith Gabriel reports that the Philadelphia Union will announce a "blockbuster deal" with
Panamanian international Gabriel Gomez. Gabriel says that Gomez is the "the same box-to-box
defender/midfielder that was a beast in Panama's 2-0 win over the United States in the group stage
of this summer's Gold Cup.
The recent release of the designs for the new Philadelphia Union home and away kits got me
thinking about the evolution of the kit designs of other teams in Philadelphia soccer history.
Today, the regular release of new jerseys is an important part of the marketing of a professional
team, not to mention a lucrative source of revenue.
Featured image: Nicolae Stoian
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
At the end of the 2010 season, the jury was still out on Kyle Nakazawa.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Philadelphia Union
The "2011 in Review" articles for the Philadelphia Union are now up on the MLS website. One
provides decent insight, the other, not so much. In the Q & A cobbled together from the last press
conference of the season, in addition to relating that Freddy Adu was at "60 percent" for much of
the end of the season due to a back injury and the need for defensive additions and competition
within the various positions on the field, Peter Nowak discusses the mindset the team needs to win
a championship:
"I told you guys at the press conferences we've had all year long that we believe in what we're
building, we believe what is the culture around the team.
Philadelphia Union
The big news of the day is that Jimmy McLaughlin is the Philadelphia Union's second homegrown
signing. Ed has all the details here. McLaughlin said he has spoken to Zach Pfeffer about turning
pro. ""It's a business and you're playing for a spot every day.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
Gabriel Farfan was the "get one (almost) free" part that came after "buy one," and he turned out
to be quite a steal for Philadelphia Union.
Photo: Earl Gardner
The Union announced on Monday the signing of 18-year-old Jimmy McLaughlin to a Home Grown Player
contract.
McLaughlin, a graduate of Great Valley High in Malvern, played club soccer for FC Delco before
playing this fall as a freshman at Colgate. McLaughlin started every game in hi s freshman year and
was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year.
Editor's note: For your offseason pleasure, PSP is happy to present an eight-part fiction
series entitled The Pine Barrens League. In part two, Schnauzer and his new team play
their first game. Look for each new installment on Monday mornings through the end of
January.
We didn't get picked up by van, as promised, but by a U-Haul truck.
Featured image: Earl Gardner
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
Some players get passed over because teams don't think they have the size or the speed to make
it at the next level.
Featured image courtesy of UNC/Jeffrey A. Camarati
NCAA College Cup
University of North Carolina defeated UNC Charlotte 1–0 on Sunday to win the College Cup. Ben
Spea's goal was a cracker.
Soccer America's Paul Gardner has an interesting take on the final.
Philadelphia Union
UNC's win prompted a funny Twitter exchange that began with a tweet from UNC product Sheanon
Williams:
Williams: "Want to congratulate @UNCmenssoccer.
The Hermann Trophy finalists were announced Friday, and two of the three finalists are Reading
United AC alumni: forwards Andrew Wenger of Duke and Billy Schuler of North Carolina. Both are
juniors who grew up in Pennsylvania.
All told, six Reading United alumni were named All-American, with goalkeeper Brian Holt of
Creighton and defender Matt Hedges of North Carolina joining Wenger and Schuler on the first
team.
Friday, December 9
Hertha Berlin v Schalke 2:30pm ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com
NCAA men's College Cup semifinal, Charlotte-Creighton 6pm ESPNU, ESPN3.com
NCAA men's College Cup semifinal, UCLA-North Carolina 8:30pm ESPNU, ESPN3.com
Wellington v Perth 11pm Fox Soccer Channel
Saturday, December 10
Southampton v Blackpool 7:30am Fox Soccer Plus, foxsoccer.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
After an uneven 2010 season, Danny Califf was a player reborn in the Union's second season.
File Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Philadelphia Union
In Thursday's press conference, Peter Nowak reiterated a theme that he has stressed since the
end of the season: he is looking to create competition among positions within the squad. "The more
guys we have in [camp] being involved with the team and the team-mentality is better and will help
us to have better results.
In the Championship Match of the Pennsylvania Open Cup, to be contested this Sunday,
December 11, 2011, 2:00pm, West Chester United will host Salone FC. The Cup winner will
represent Eastern Pennsylvania in regional play this spring for a berth in the Lamar Hunt US Open
Cup. The match will be contested on the turf field next to the Chester County Government Services
Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester PA.
Peter Nowak and the Philadelphia Union introduced their first summer signing today. Josue
Martinez is a 21-year old Costa Rican international who fits the Nowak mold as someone who can slot
in at multiple positions. ""He's a very humble guy. He has a different qualities with his speed,
and can play as a central striker or on the wing," Nowak said.
A new signing and a league in trouble in this week's KYW Philly Soccer Show.
KYW's Greg Orlandini and Philly Soccer Page's Eli Pearlman-Storch are joined by fellow Philly
Soccer Page writer Mike Servedio as we look at the Union's new forward and the possible
decertification of the WPS.
Photo: Earl Gardner
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
Justin Mapp heads to Montreal after an inconsistent one-and-a-half year stint in
Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Union
Here's the skinny on new signing Josue Martinez from Kenneth Hernandez, soccer writer for Costa
Rican daily Al Dia:
- "MartÃnez is a player for the future. He's still young and he has a lot to give. But he's just
21 and he needs to establish himself as a forward who responds with goals.
The Philadelphia Union announced on Wednesday that they have acquired 21-year-old Costa Rican
international striker Josue Martinez from Club Deportivo Saprissa.
According to the announcement, "The forward will be available upon receipt of his P-1Visa and
International Transfer Certificate. Per MLS and Club policy, terms of the agreements were not
disclosed.
Philadelphia Union
John Hackworth explains what the Union is looking for going into the 2012 season. "When you're
retooling, you have to make sure you're managing the roster and the salary cap. We're not
necessarily trying to get younger; we're trying to get better. And we're going to look at every
avenue do that.
Photo:Â Daniel Gajdamowicz
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
Jordan Harvey is a Union original. Acquired from Colorado in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft,
Harvey featured in 46 of the Union's 47 matches before being dealt to the Vancouver Whitecaps for
allocation money on July 7, 2011.
The Philadelphia Union announced on Tuesday that the 2012 season opener will take place against
Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field on Monday, March 12.
Kickoff will be at 9:30pm EST and the match will be nationally broadcast on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
and ESPN3.
The Union recently announced that the home opener will take place on Sunday, March 18.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
Faryd Mondragon looked like the answer in 2011.
There are many cool things in the world, but I think it's safe to say that none are as cool as
this graph of the Philadelphia Union's pass attempts and accuracy that the Tumblr blog
Propagandarama put together from the stats PSP's Ed Farnsworth compiled. For those who like to
analyze trends in graphs, here is some more info.
Editor's note: For your offseason pleasure, PSP is happy to present the first episode of an
eight-part fiction series entitled The Pine Barrens League.
It has happened bro, I'm in trouble again. I can't help it. I feel like a fucking drug
addict.
A few days ago, I was about to go outside to rake when I saw a huge cloud of leaves blowing into
my yard.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011
season.
In the Philadelphia Union's signature win of 2011, a 1-0 home victory over the New York Red
Bulls, praise was deservedly lavished on the two second half substitutes who combined for the
winning tally.
Photo: Courtesy US Soccer
Philly Soccer Page
Today marks the return of one series and the start of another. First, fresh on the heels of our
series of raves, we begin our series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player who saw
more than ten minutes of action in 2011 (sorry Morgan!
The Goalkeeper claims he hears rumors that Villanova is bidding to host the 2013 College Cup in
PPL Park.
Opta congratulates the Union on leading the league in goals from outside the box in 2011.
An updated list of players available for the re-entry draft. Union two are still the same.
Friday, Dec. 2
Euro 2012 draw 12pm ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com
Caen v Marseille 2pm foxsoccer.tv
Leverkusen v Hoffenheim 2:30pm ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com
Genoa v AC Milan 2:30pm Fox Soccer, ESPN3.com, foxsoccer.tv
Crystal Palace v Derby 2:30pm Fox Soccer Plus, foxsoccer.
Featured image: Paul Rudderow
When I was gathering the season stats for all of the Philadelphia Union players to share with
the PSP writers for our forthcoming 2011 season review series I realized no passing stats were
available, either for the club or for individual players. Actually, that's not precisely true; you
can find passing percentages for the team on a game-by-game basis by clicking on the Stat tab for
each game's MatchCenter page at MLSsoccer.
Photo: Earl Gardner
Raving about Roger Torres is as natural as dooping for Union fans. Ever since he made his first
chicken-armed run onto the pitch, the teenager has been an electric presence.
But it is one thing to create electricity and quite another to control it.
Blossoming
In 2011, Roger Torres grew from a player with skill into a skilled playmaker.
Photo of Taylor Twellman at Union's 2011 home opener by Earl Gardner.
Philadelphia Union
Deportivo Saprissa president Juan Carlos Rojas has confirmed in an interview with a Costa Rican
radio station that the Union has been in contact with the club about Josue Martinez, saying "I
would not go into much detail but there has been interest from Philadelphia [in Martinez].
(Photo: Paul Rudderow)
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of "Raves" about our
favorite Philadelphia players. They need not be the team's best players, but they're guys and gals
we like. Over the next two weeks, we continue the series again with some of the PSP writers' and
contributors' favorite players of 2011.
The Philadelphia Union have made their first off-season moves, and the latest installment of the
KYW Philly Soccer Show has Union assistant coach John Hackworth on the pod to talk about
it.
In part one, Coach Hackworth joins KYW‘s Greg Orlandini and Philly Soccer Page
writer Eli Pearlman-Storch to discuss losing veteran midfielder Justin Mapp to Montreal Impact in
the Expansion Draft and other possible moves in the offseason.
Philadelphia Union
With yesterday's announcement that the Union had declined the option to re-sign Stefani
Miglioranzi and Chase Harrison, the eyes of many Philly soccer followers turned to the other
castoffs throughout the league and the possibility that the Union might find a worthy signing in
Monday's Re-Entry Draft.
