In which we address the pre-pubescent new roster, and try to see things from where our beleaguered
coach stands.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
With the signing of Lionard Pajoy, the Union may just be nearing the end of their offseason
transactions (at least for outfield players). In a set of three installments, PSP's Eli
Pearlman-Storch outlines the most likely formations for the Union in 2012 and how the roster, as
currently composed, is suited to play in each.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Philadelphia Union
Several Union players talk about preseason training at YSC SPorts last week. The team landed in
Orlando on Sunday.
Danny Califf, acknowledging that only he and Brian Carroll are the only players remaining on the
Union who are older than 27, tells MLSsoccer.
Why our new Panamanian friend can take us places we've only dreamed of. Sponsored by Rosetta Stone.
Saturday's Sons of Ben-organized Help Kick Hunger charity at McFaddens at Citizen's Bank
Park was a huge success. $8,300 was raised at the event, which featured appearances from the
Philadelphia Union's Brian Carroll, Zach Pfeffer and Jimmy McLaughlin. The recently retired Veljko
Paunovic was also on hand.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
With the SuperDraft behind us, thoughts now turn to the nitty-gritty of the 2012 Union season.
Naturally, questions arise. Over a two-part series we pose ten questions to our Union beat
reporter, Eli Pearlman-Storch, beginning in part 1 with a focus on formation, roster depth and
leadership roles within the starting XI.
Featured image: Nicolae Stoian
The next edition of the Philly Soccer Show podcast, scheduled to be recorded
tonight, will feature USMNT U-23 coach Caleb Porter and the Philadelphia Union's top pick in
Thursday's SuperDraft, Chandler Hoffman.
Philadelphia Union
Sunderland blog the Roker Report tells fellow SB Nation affiliate the Brotherly Game that team
manager Martin O'Neill responded to a reporter's question about rumors of a possible Michael Farfan
loan by saying people should not read too much "into these things.
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.
(Photo: Paul Rudderow)
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of raves "Raves" about some
of 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
contributors favorite players of 2011.
Another MLS Cup, another expansion draft.
For most clubs around the league, that's what the year's final match really means. The day after
Sunday's championship game, MLS teams must submit to the league office the list of eleven players
they plan to protect in the Nov. 23 expansion draft.
The draft's rules are largely the same as last year, tweaked a bit to account for the Montreal
Impact drafting alone, whereas last year's draft had two expansion teams.
By the end of the first half of the first game of the playoff series against Houston it was
clear that the Philadelphia Union's defense was not adequately familiar with the new formation
deployed by Peter Nowak against the Houston Dynamo at PPL Park. In the second half, the Union
reverted to the tried and tested four man backline that had been so instrumental in seeing the
Union advance to the playoffs in the first place.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Click here to view the embedded video.
We know, guys. Trust me. We know.
We know you played your hearts out Sunday.
We know you left everything on the field in those ridiculously exciting, maddening, painful
closing minutes.
We know you had to overcome your manager's bad decisions.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
There is no other way to look at it: it is halftime, and the Union are down one goal.
The Tweets
Carlos Valdes: "We have one more game. This is not over yet...DOOP"
Sebastien Le Toux: "Thanks for the great support tonight! You are the best! We still have 90
minutes to beat them.
(Photo: Nicolae Stoian)
Our break down of the Philadelphia Union/Houston Dynamo playoff matchup continues. PSP's
roving correspondent Adam Cann lays out the big questions and Eli Pearlman-Storch answers them.
Today's topic, the Dynamo midfield versus the Union midfield.
Quick.
(Photo: Nicolae Stoian)
It is ironic that the Union face a team from the Lone Star state in their first ever playoff
match, because when the they take the field this Sunday at PPL Park, it is the Union that must come
out as the gunslingers.
Having reached their target of a playoff appearance in their second year in existence,
technically, the rest is gravy.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Kickoff for Sunday's game is now set for 5pm.
ESPN2 is broadcasting New York Red Bulls v LA Galaxy at 3pm, which pushes the kickoff of
Sunday's Union v Houston game, which is also on ESPN2, up to 5pm. Why the start times aren't the
other way around, given the fact that the Eagles are playing the Cowboys at the Linc at 8pm, the
Giants are playing Miami at 1pm and the Jets have a bye, is beyond me.
Photograph: Nicolae Stoian
Mama said there'd be days like this.
It was an embarrassing loss. One embarrassing loss. Of course the timing was terrible and
everyone, players, coaches and fans, would have preferred a different result and performance, but
in the end it was one game.
New York watch
Tickets are still available for tonight's game. C'mon, you know you want to go.
MLS Gameday Guide download.
Match previews from Philly Soccer Page, MLSsoccer.com, JP Dellacamera, the Inquirer,
phillyBurbs.com, the Brotherly Game, Once a Metro (SB Nation NYRB blog even their name is
ridiculous).
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Early Winter
With nothing left to play for in the 2011 MLS season, Toronto represented a fairly
unpredictable opponent. Aron Winter could have used Saturday's match at PPL Park to continue the
development of his new system and go for broke, attempting to play spoiler and steal a road
victory.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Click here to view the embedded video.
Sebastien Le Toux's first half strike was not enough to see the Philadelphia Union through to
victory in their final home game of the regular season as Toronto FC's Ryan Johnson ruined the
party for the hosts with a 57th minute equalizer.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Union
With losses for Chicago and DC on Wednesday night, MLSsoccer.com has released updated playoff
standings. In those standings, the Union have yet to clinch a playoff spot. But the Inquirer's Marc
Narducci argues that the Union have clinched:
"Major League Soccer has come out with the latest playoff possibilities and doesn't have the
Union as clinching just yet.
Union
The Union are feeling pumped up after their win in Seattle. Sheanon Williams says, "Right now,
we're just thinking about first place. The guys really want to be in first place. If we're in first
place, then guess what? We're in the playoffs. So that should be our first goal." Mr. Williams, I
like the way you think and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Click here to view the embedded video.
After watching their team win the US Open Cup on Tuesday, Sounders fans were not prepared to see
the Union waltz into Seattle and take a deserved three points off a lethargic home side.
Second half goals from Freddy Adu and Brian Carroll lifted the Union into first place in front
of a sold out crowd at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA.
Union
Kerith Gabriel reports that "a member of the technical staff told the Daily News" that
Zac MacMath will be in goal against Seattle.
The Union will have traveled 10,000 miles in a week between the Chivas USA game and the Seattle
game. Peter Nowak says, "You cannot fool your body.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
True, nothing can take the shine off an exciting victory over a regional rival like a 3000 mile
plane flight, but with so much on the line, it was hard to imagine the Union would not find the
energy needed to match Chivas USA. Against a team who knows how to score goals and push numbers
forward, the Union's best defense was to keep the home side off the attack with tidy ball
possession and potent attack of their own.
On Sunday, the Union played Chivas USA to a drab draw in front of a sparsely populated Home
Depot Center in Carson, California. After a slow-paced first half that yielded few chances, Justin
Mapp opened the scoring in the second half before the sensational Juan Pablo Angel drew the home
side level at the death.
Le Toux on the double
Tremendous game from Seba. Stretched the DC defense all night, even if he found himself offsides
a little more than he would have liked. But the two goals were well taken and whatever confidence
it looked like he was lacking at the beginning of the season has returned and then some.
Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union
Union
Peter Nowak on Thursday night's win: "It was a massive step forward toward the playoffs."
Match reports from the Philly Soccer Page, the Union website, the Daily News, the Inquirer, CSN
Philly, the Washington Post, Soccer News, the AP, Black and Red United, MLS Talk.
Photo: Garrett Field
DC United Watch
Sporting Kansas City's 2–1 win over Columbus on Wednesday night puts them in first place in
the East with 44 points. The Union would move into sole possession of second place with 43 points
with a win tonight.
Freddy Adu says of tonight's game, "For me, it definitely has a playoff feel to it, and that's
how I think we all are approaching it.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
After starting the season with a conservative lineup and a string of low scoring but
positive-outcome affairs, Peter Nowak threw caution to the wind following a disappointing scoreless
tie against Kansas City in late June. In the next match, against Chivas USA, Brian Carroll was the
only thing vaguely resembling a defensive presence in front of the back four.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Kansas City Watch
Chris Vito reports that the Union will be using a MLS pool goalkeeper as a backup to Zac MacMath
for the Kansas City game.
The Kansas City Star expects Sporting to defeat the Union, saying, while they "might plan on
playing the 'bunker' game on the road," the Union haven't shown "the strength to withstand
anyone.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
His name on a Union lineup card results in instant vitriol on this and other websites.
His face in the Philadelphia locker room produces a very different result. Following a
spectacular three-goal turnaround that earned a 4-4 tie against the Revolution, Sebastien Le Toux
said with a laugh, "My teammates joke around with me, especially Stefani Miglioranzi, that in the
last ten games I'm going to score every game and help the team the best I can like I didn't do at
the beginning of the season.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Winless since their 3-0 road victory over New England on July 17, the Union did just enough to
take three points off of a depleted Columbus Crew side before a packed house at PPL Park on
Saturday night. Zac MacMath earned his second clean sheet in three attempts and Sebastien Le Toux
continued his resurgent goal-scoring form with the game's only goal in the 32nd minute.
On a chilly night in Chester against a listless first place Columbus Crew team, a goal from the
resurgent Sebastien Le Toux was all the Philadelphia Union needed to earn their first victory since
July 17. In an effort to breathe life into his team, coach Peter Nowak rang in the changes, most
notably bringing 16-year-old Zach Pfeffer into the starting lineup for his first MLS start.
Photo: Earl Gardner
The Union have three remaining matches to close out the month of September. First up is
Columbus, followed by Kansas City, and then D.C. United. The current standings have Columbus with a
five point lead on the Union, Kansas City up by four, and D.C. trailing by two.
Photo: Earl Gardner
Whenever the Major League Soccer Players Union releases players' salary numbers, it's usually
the rare opportunity to step back and see who's worth their salary and who's not. So that's exactly
what we're going to do here, with a look at each Union player's salary and evaluation of whether
they're worth it or not.
Featured image: Paul Rudderow
When Freddy Adu joined the Union, Roger Torres must have wondered if he would get relegated to
starring in reserve matches for the rest of the season. Fortunately, the Union's most improved
young player has found the minutes plentiful in recent weeks and has played some of the best soccer
of his Union career.
Photo: Earl Gardner
Union
In this week's power rankings roundup, the Philadelphia Union move up one spot to no. 10 at
MLSsoccer.com ("They haven't won in a long time, their body language is not particularly good right
now, they're inconsistent offensively and the defense is suddenly leaky.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
As far as first starts go it was not what Zac MacMath would have wanted, but it was certainly
not a contest he will forget anytime soon. The rookie goalkeeper will fondly remember the night the
Union stormed back from 4-1 down in the second half to earn a gritty point.
Click here to view the embedded video.
New England Manager Steve Nicol put it best: "Both teams were as bad defensively as each
other."
In a game that featured eight goals—two by way of penalty kicks—the Union overcame a
three-goal deficit to salvage a draw at home against the Eastern Conference bottom-dwelling
Revolution on Wednesday night.
