Video of John Hackworth's postgame press conference and lockeroom interviews with Ray Gaddis, Leo Fernandes, Brian Carroll, Jack McInerney and Bakary Soumare, plus postgame quote sheet.
Philadelphia Union starting XI: (4-4-2) Zac MacMath; Raymon Gaddis, Bakary Soumare, Amobi Okugo, Sheanon Williams; Brian Carroll, Danny Cruz, Kleberson, Michael Farfan; Jack McInerney, Sebastien Le Toux
Philadelphia Union bench: Chris Konopka, Chris Albright, Keon Daniel, Leo Fernandes, Roger Torres, Conor Casey, Antoine Hoppenot
Chicago Fire starting XI: (4-4-2) Sean Johnson; Wells Thompson, Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry, Gonzalo Segares; Dilly Duka, Logan Pause, Jeff Larentowicz, Joel Lindpere; Patrick Nyarko; Chris Rolfe
Chicago Fire bench: Paolo Tornaghi, Michael Videira, Corben Bone, Brendan King, Alex, Quincy Amerikwa, Sherjill MacDonald
Prediction: The last time these two squads met, the Union won but things could have gone better.
Philadelphia Union starting XI: (4-4-2) Zac MacMath; Raymon Gaddis, Bakary Soumare, Amobi Okugo, Sheanon Williams; Brian Carroll, Kleberson, Keon Daniel, Danny Cruz; Jack McInerney, Sebastien Le Toux
Philadelphia Union bench: Aaron Wheeler, Chris Konopka, Chris Albright, Michael Farfan, Antoine Hoppenot, Roger Torres, Conor Casey
Los Angeles Galaxy starting XI: (4-4-2) Carlo Cudicini; Todd Dunivant, Tommy Meyer, Omar Gonzalez, A.
For the Philadelphia Union, a trade had seemed inevitable for weeks. With Bakary Soumare unpleased about his role on the team, head coach John Hackworth had no issue helping the center back find a new home.
However, it would be Gabriel Farfan, and not Soumare to be the first player traded from the Union this season.
Bakary Soumare denies reports that Union offered him to Chicago after Saturday's game. Area US Open Cup play begins tonight with Reading United hosting LVU Sonic and Ocean City hosting Red Bulls U-23s. Union PA license plates now available. More.
The Union managed to steal three points in Chicago, but outside of Zac MacMath, Jack McInerney and Sebastien Le Toux's pinpoint delivery, there were precious few positives.
Bakary Soumare will remain in Chester, for the time being, despite his continued desire to move on from the team, after the Chicago Fire rejected a second overture by the Philadelphia Union, the Red Priest Podcast revealed today.
After Saturday's 1-0 win away at Toyota Park, the Union approached the Fire once again about a deal that would have sent Soumare to his former club and ended a months long trade demand by the center back.
Zac MacMath stole the show for the Union and kept the Fire at bay until Jack McInerney and Sebastien Le Toux could steal all three points for the visitors. PSP has a match report.
Philadelphia Union starting XI: (4-4-2) Zac MacMath; Gabriel Farfan, Amobi Okugo, Bakary Soumare, Raymon Gaddis; Brian Carroll, Keon Daniel, Michael Farfan, Danny Cruz; Conor Casey, Jack McInerney
Philadelphia Union bench: Matt Kassel, Roger Torres, Chris Konopka, Sebastien Le Toux, Chris Albright, Kleberson, Antoine Hoppenot
Chicago Fire starting XI: (4-4-1-1) Sean Johnson; Gonzalo Segares, Austin Berry, Jalil Anibaba, Wells Thompson; Dan Paladini, Logan Pause, Joel Lindpere, Dilly Duka; Chris Rolfe; Patrick Nyarko
Chicago Fire bench: Corben Bone, Quincy Amerikwa, Paolo Tornaghi, Alex, Maicon Santos, Michael Videira, Yazid Atouba
Prediction: The Union continue to run out a formation and starting XI that has been show time and again to not work.
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OTF's Stephen Mangat brings you the truth on the team he supports, the Philadelphia Union...
If given the choice, who would you rather have running the company for which you work: a talented, volatile and antagonistic man with a Napoleon complex or a decent simpleton who seems to be a stooge for the board of directors and a bane of the shareholders and employees?
Parke's injury not as bad as feared but Soumare looks set to start against Chicago on Saturday. On rotation and depth. Ansboro on stepping down as SoB prez. Moyes leaving Everton, expected to take over at Manchester United. More news.
The former all-star looks set to replace injured center back Jeff Parke in Saturday's nationally televised game. "My expectation is that he makes the most of this," Union manager John Hackworth said.
PSP analyzes Philadelphia Union's salary breakdown and identifies the steals (like Ray Gaddis, pictured), veteran bargains, surprises, and winner of the Juan Diego Gonzalez Award. Also, we take a look at several potential trade scenarios for Bakary Soumare.
Jeff Parke says no point in rushing return from injury. Harrisburg to face winner of Lehigh Valley/Reading United in USOC first round. Juan Agudelo traded to Revs. Altidore says club won't release him for May USMNT camp. Feguson to retire as manager of Manchester United. More.
The storyline heading into Chicago is whether Soumare will finally get to play. MLS salary info released. Power ranking roundup. Cruz's performance earning honors.
Hackworth says Union could have done more to win but poor officiating played big part in Saturday's draw. Cruz on his brace. With Parke injured and Williams suspended, is it Soumare time. HCI win. More news.
It's rather amazing to those from the outside, and the inside, of the Philadelphia Union, but Roger Torres has only seen 10 minutes of playing time during the 2013 Major League Soccer season.
Torres is one of two players who are not loaned, not Bakary Soumare and not goalkeepers to log less than 29 minutes this season.
JAck McInerney becomes only the second Union player to be named MLS Player of the Month. Hack says the defense needs return to earlier form for Union to have success against Seattle. PDA U-18s ranked No. 1 in the country. More.
Quotes from John Hackworth's weekly presser. US Open Cup 1st round ties announced. Hernandez scores but City Islanders drop first game. Timbers make a wish come true. More.
Hackworth describes Saturday's performance in loss to NE as the Union's worst of the year. Jimmy McLaughlin scores in Harrisburg's home opener win. NYT reports Abu Dhabi royal nearing purchase of 20th MLS team. Garber says "way too muc" soccer on TV. More
Kleberson says he wants to be here and win. Local lad Peter Vermes voted into National Soccer Hall of Fame. Galaxy blows CL lead. Those tiki-taki Greek kids do it again. More news.
Union trio on loan to Harrisburg City Islanders. Reports from Union win over Pumas. Latest on Adu. Costa Rica files protest, wants replay with US. More news.
Jack McInerney joins the pod to talk about his strong start to the season and developing partnership with Sebastien Le Toux. Then the pod talks Adu, Soumare, and the USMNT.
Freddy Adu with Bahia. Union prepare for Pumas. Okugo yellow rescinded after Rev's Toja fined for embellishment. Must-win qualifier against Costa Rica for USA. More news.
Three good center backs, two positions. As people look for someone to blame for Bakary Soumare's trade request, PSP explains why no one is to blame and this is just life and sport.
Extensive quotes from John HAckworth on Freddy Adu, Kleberson, and Soumare. News from the USMNT ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica. More.
Bakary Soumare will be back in Chicago but it won't be in the manner it seemed it would be 10 days ago. The former Fire defender is likely to make his second MLS appearance for Philadelphia versus the team that he made his only Union start against. His old club, the Chicago Fire. Soumare said the Union and Fire had engaged in talks for a trade last week but now it seems unlikely that a deal will be consummated any time soon.
There's been little to report as to Bakary Soumare's future since making public his trade request in early March, but a Tweet from a Chicago based reporter shed some light on what has transpired since.
However, new news emerged that the 27 year-old may be returning to a familiar team in the near future.
The following is part two of a two part article of transcribed quotes from a podcast interview Bakary Soumare did with The Fire Confidential Podcast.For the transcribed version of the first half of the podcast, click here.
Has the club told you of how any of the talks are progressing or if any are close to being resolved?
The Fire will host the Philadelphia Union on May 11. It's possible Bakary Soumare will be there even if he's not a member of the visiting team. In the latest episode of the Fire Confidential Podcast, Soumare talks about his return to MLS last season and where he could be headed this year. Chicago is in the running but there are issues that need to be worked out before a trade can be facilitated.
A return to the playoffs for a second consecutive season may seem tenuous at the moment but the Fire will still have a shot at some hardware if MLS postseason isn't the cards. Clubs should find out in the next few days where they'll land in the 2013 US Open Cup brackets. The US Soccer Federation is expected to announce the draw for the 2013 tournament some time this week with match-ups determined geographically.
MLS recently announced a new intra-league loan mechanism. Does is it make sense? Who from the Union might be a possible candidate for a loan? Earl Reed explores.
Frustrated at a lack of playing time, Philadelphia Union defender Bakary Soumare has requested a trade away from PPL Park, and it looks like the Union are going to shop him around. The prospect is certain to have several MLS clubs salivating, but are the New England Revolution among them?
Speaking solely on Soumare's merits, it's a move that can only improve the Revolution defense.
Previews and quotes ahead of Saturday's Union game in Chicago. The Union have plans for "European-style" academy to launch this fall. Hackworth fined for ref rant. Carli Lloyd set to return for WNY. More news.
