Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union and Donald Montague
On Saturday night, despite the loud presence of a Sons of Ben contingent, the Union finished the
domestic leg of their preseason on a down note with a 1–0 loss to Orlando City SC. For
Orlando—of the USL Pro League, the third division in the American soccer pyramid—it was both
their first match and first win since the club was announced in October of 2010.
There are certain basic adages that should be considered general knowledge...
Don't mess with success.
Unfortunately, Peter Nowak doesn't know that one.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Nope. Not that one either.
In the three games since the exciting 6-2 drubbing of Toronto in which the Union offense ran
riot, the lineup has been altered every time.
Union
With the Jorge Perlaza move to the Union rumors seemingly to foundering over an apparent
contract dispute that may or may not be resolved, a report this morning from Nuevo Estadio says
that Perlaza is waiting for a work permit to play in MLS "for a handsome figure." (You can read a
crappy translation here.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
The player's reactions to the announcement that Carlos Ruiz are telling. Brian Carroll and Danny
Mwanga agreed the news was "tough." Sebastien Le Toux said the team was disappointed "with losing
Carlos," adding, "He's a great player and will be missed," before agreeing with Carroll and Mwanga
that the news was "tough.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Union
Peter Nowak on Saturday's crucial match in Columbus: "I think Columbus will be one of those
games that [a challenge] will come our way and we have to grab one point or three points and have
to make the best of it."
Danny Califf calls the match "a six pointer," adding, "It's the most important game of the
season so far.
PSP photographer Nicolae Stoian was at the opening day of the Union's preseason training camp at
YSC Sports in Wayne. Here's a look at what he saw.
Piotr Nowak instructs a group of new and returning players at the opening of preseason training.
Sebastien Le Toux is on the ball as Jack McInerney covers.
By Neil W. Blackmon This is the fifth piece of a seven-part series highlighting the most intriguing
subplots of the 2011 MLS campaign. Our other MLS preview pieces are linked below: Number 7: Omar
Bravo: Next Designated Player to Fail, or is Sporting KC the place for a revival? MLS Eastern
Conference Preview: Five Most [.
Last night, the Philadelphia Union held a rescheduled version of the Meet the Players event. The
gathering at PPL Park offered fans to get autographs from and take pictures with their favorite
Union players.
The event has been referred to by many as a rousing success. But not all of the fans that made
the trek to PPL were able to experience this event in its entirety.
MLS released its second ever Castrol Index today and the Philadelphia Union saw their top
players take a hit in the rankings this time around, but the lower players got a boost from
increased minutes and improved play since the first Index.
In the first edition of the Castrol Index, the Union had five players in the top 50 of the
Index, with the entire defense (Jordan Harvey, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes and Sheanon Williams)
and goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon placing highly.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Game time: Friday, 7:30pm
TV: Fox Soccer Channel
As perhaps the only MLS team to gain in confidence during a week of midseason friendlies, the
Union must maintain the momentum gained against Everton and Real Madrid as they enter a stretch
where they will play three matches in eight days.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Game time: Wednesday, 9:00pm ET
TV: Comcast SportsNet
This midweek fixture could not come at a better time for a Union team desperately trying to put
a poor showing against Colorado—their first home loss of the season—in the rear view
mirror.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Union
No time was wasted spinning Wednesday night's dismal performance from the Union against last
place Chicago with this tweet going out moments after the end of the game: "With the 1-1 draw, the
Union extend their road unbeaten streak to four matches and avoid their first losing streak of the
season.
Union
John Hackworth, again filling in on the sidelines for Peter Nowak, said after the game, "I think
frustration and disappointment are the two biggest feelings we have right now. We feel we deserved
three points in that game."
Sheanon Williams said, "We gave up a goal in the 85th minute when we had the chance to go up two
and lock the game up.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Game time: Saturday, 8:00pm ET
TV: 6 ABC
Freddy Adu and Peter Nowak are not the only reunion on tap for this weekend as former Union
midfielder Andrew Jacobson and goalkeeper Chris Seitz return to PPL Park for the first time since
leaving the club.
photo by Daniel Gajdamowicz
player ratings contributed by Mikey Cann
As with all seasons, we must learn to take the bad with the good. The downs with the ups. The
late losses with the late wi... ties.
The Freddy Adu signing with the Freddy Adu performance.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Game time: Saturday, 7:30pm ET
TV: The Comcast Network
Do not feel bad if after taking a look down the Columbus Crew roster for Saturday's showdown you
find yourself scratching your head.
In a league designed to be dominated by superstars, the Crew have taken the industrious path
alongside team's like Real Salt Lake and Dallas.
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.
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.
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.
It seemed even last year that the Philly Union wanted Brian Carroll to come their way...
Best thing we can do as a media outlet, is to provide a bridge between the fans and the players.
We've inventoried the interview requests that you've made to TSG and we're working our way through
them.
First up, Brian Carroll of the Philly Union.
Photos: Nicolae Stoian
In 2010, we embarked on a new journey. Our league debut was nationally televised. Our home
opener drew nearly 35,000 fans. Then, while we waited for the opening of our new stadium we began
an extended string of away games that demonstrated what can only be described as the season-long
woeful state of our away form.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Union
Match Fit USA has gotten its hands on a copy of the GQ UK issue that features the Sons of Ben.
Apparently, it isn't very complimentary: "Americans, he tells GQ UK's football savvy readers over
the course of a few pages, are poseurs." MFUSA uses the GQ UK piece to do a fine job of both
analyzing and defending the emerging and still developing supporters group culture in the US.
New season. New faces. New roles. New tactics. As we move ever loser to the start of the
2011 season, the PSP takes a look possible tactical formations the Union might employ. Today, Adam
argues that last season's 4-2-2-2 ought to become a 4-1-3-2 formation to take advantage of the
team's wealth of defensive minded midfielders.
New season. New faces. New roles. New tactics. As we move ever closer to the start of the
2011 season, the PSP takes a look possible tactical formations the Union might employ. Today, Eli
looks at going for the gusto with a 4-3-3 with two defensive midfielders anchoring a swarming 4-man
attack.
Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union and Donald Montague
Union
Speaking about Thursday's 2–0 win over USF, Brian Carroll said, "I thought our possession, our
reaction once the ball turned over, and the amount of chances we created were better today."
Danny Mwanga agreed, but added, "At the same time we had a few more chances that we could have
finished.
One week to go.
One week to MLS First Kick 2011 and the opening of a do-or-die season for the Los Angeles
Galaxy. I recently wrote that 2011 was Bruce Arena's MLS Cup or Bust season.
But of all the teams that could be considered contenders for MLS Cup at this point, you have to
like the Galaxy to bring it all home.
Soooo.... you will notice that we conspicuously left last week's debacle in Sandy alone and
concentrated on... other things, like Tony Meola and Jovan
Kirovski's past with Manchester United.
I'm hoping that was the right decision and that by doing so we're relegating one of the worst
games from a good Galaxy team I've seen since the worst games from the bad Galaxy teams of
2007-2008.
Leonardo scores his first MLS gol off a Beckham free kick, sealing a 1-0 victory over
Philadelphia Union
In the words of @mattyhuffine's Twitter stream: "#LAGALAXY win with 10 men in what turned out to
be more of a card game than a soccer match."
Right?
Or as my favorite futbol curmudgeon, Grahame Jones, put it in today's LA Times, "[R]eferee
Paul Ward, .
Photo: Earl Gardner
Union
Carlos Ruiz said he accepted the invitation to join the Guatemala national team squad for the
Gold Cup with some reluctance. But he also said the Union will have no problem replacing him. "We
have great players on this team," Ruiz said, "and any player can play the same or better than
me.
Photo: Courtesy of MLSsoccer.com
Union
Peter Nowak on Saturday's loss to Vancouver: "We're like a charity right now, giving life and
points to other teams."
Sheanon Williams on the Union's performance: "Vancouver scored a good goal early on and we
struggled to get our rhythm.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Game time: Saturday, 10:30pm
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Going into this Saturday's showdown between the Union and Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium in
San Jose, the big news surrounds starters that will be missing for both sides.
We're 17 games into Philadelphia Union's first season, and the team is a point out of first
place with two games in hand.
Surprised? Not us. PSP predicted the Union would have 29 points at this stage of the season over
a month before a game was played. Careful scrolling on our page today because we are hot.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
On this week's Philly Soccer Show podcast, KYW's Greg Orlandini and the PSP's Eli
Pearlman-Storch are joined by the Philadelphia Union's Brian Carroll.
In part one, Carroll talks about the Union's recent draw versus San Jose, looks
ahead to the New England match, and talks about team chemistry.
Photo: Philadelphia Union
Game time: Saturday, 7:00pm
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Another week, another winnable road game for the Union. But the questions linger.
Can they finish?
The Revolution enter Sunday's match on an eight game winless streak and the suspension of
captain and midfield general Shalrie Joseph will do little to help their cause.
Union
Philly dominates this MLSsoccer.com's Best XI for Week 18 with Carlos Valdes, Justin Mapp and
Sebastien Le Toux making the first team, with Keon Daniel, Gabriel Farfan and Sheanon Williams
receiving honorable mentions.
In this week's power rankings round up, the Union stay at no. 4 at Soccer America, at no.
So much to discuss...
This is a looking like a long one. I left the Ruiz bit for last as incentive to get all the way
through. Thanks for sticking with me.
First, the Union on the field...
"The Best Defense is a Good Offense"
This is clearly not a saying with which the Union have any familiarity.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Game time: Saturday, 8:00pm ET
TV: 6 ABC
Any time an old streak ends, a new one can begin and that is exactly what will be on the minds
of the Union players when they square off against Houston this Saturday at PPL Park.
(Photo: Paul Rudderow)
With a weather-induced fixture logjam in their immediate future, the Union need to start scoring
goals (and earning points) quickly. Yet, the attack continues to be lacking as the Union languish
near the bottom of the MLS table in almost every offensive statistical category.
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.
