Unlike last season, which saw a complete upheaval of the Philadelphia Union's local broadcasting
situation as the team moved the majority of its telecasts from the Live Well Network to the much
more prominent Comcast SportsNet and Comcast Network, the television schedule released by the team
this morning contains no surprises.
NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) has found Arlo White's broadcast partner in Kyle Martino, according
to a tweet by Grant Wahl.
The Sports Illustrated columnist reports that he is "hearing Kyle Martino to sign with @NBCSN as
analyst for MLS/US broadcasts."
Wahl went on to say that it "sounds like FOX doesn't want to let Martino out of contract as
Sounders did with Arlo White.
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.
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.
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.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
NBC Philadelphia has a segment on the danger of brain trauma posed by too frequent heading
following the release of a study at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual
meeting.
You can read more about this story here.
Philadelphia Union
With the announcement on Tuesday that the Union will play its 2012 home opener on Sunday, March
18, the Goalkeeper writes, "I also would not be surprised if the Union's home opener is nationally
televised.
Even though Major League Soccer has entered the off season, we plan to continue our weekly "Monday
After" post looking at business stories from the weekend and items that we didn't cover in the past
week. We'll start with the newest player in soccer broadcasting, the over-the-air broadcast
network FOX, which is touting its dynamic 1.
Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl is reporting that Philadelphia Union color commentator Taylor
Twellman is set to be promoted to lead ESPN soccer analyst, as John Harkes will not have his
contract renewed with the company.
Harkes has long been a target of criticism from US Soccer fans for what has been seen as a
career spent interjecting himself into story lines and less than stellar analysis on air.
In what comes as little surprise Grant Wahl reports that NBC Sports is pursuing Arlo White as
their primary play-by-play man for their first season covering MLS and the United States national
team. NBC isn't stupid and, like Sounders fans, feels that Arlo is one of the best voices in soccer
right now.
Union
Sebastien Le Toux has won the Fair Play Award for the second year in a row. Bien fait!
Le Toux said of the award, "It may not be the most prestigious prize that people are asking
about, but I'm very happy to get [this award] this year. It means I am always respectful on the
field so I'm glad that the league and the referees know that.
With surging national attendance numbers (strongly supported here in Seattle) the indication
would be that at least one aspect of Major League Soccer's business model is strong. Positive signs
go deeper as the rivalries in Cascadia and elsewhere help build relevance of the local teams in
their markets local TV ratings are up as well.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Union
Danny Mwanga is back and healthy for the playoffs. Nice timing, Danny!
The Shin Guardian gives the Union 7 to 1 odds at winning the MLS Cup. That puts the Union as
the 4th most likely team to win, behind Seattle, LA and Real Salt Lake.
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).
After a very impressive win on the road at Seattle, the Philadelphia Union (11-7-14) will play
their last home game of the season against the almost always struggling Toronto FC (6-13-13). With
a win or a draw today, the Union would clinch a playoff spot. Should the Union lose, then a New
York Red Bulls loss to Sporting Kansas City would also clinch a playoff spot for the Union.
Setting: Saturday, October 15 at PPL Park in Chester; kickoff
scheduled for 4:08:00 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia (JP
Dellacamera, Taylor Twellman, Marc Zumoff), with coverage beginning at 3:30 PM Eastern with a
pre-game show / TSN (Luke Wileman, Jason de Vos) nationally in Canada and Sportsnet 590 The FAN
CJCL-AM (Dan Dunleavy) locally in Toronto / MLS Direct Kick, MatchDay Live (blackout in Canada; CSN
Philadelphia feed)
Toronto's Record: 6-13-13, eighth in East
Toronto's Last Match: T, 1-1 vs.
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.
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.
After managing a thrilling victory at home against D.C. United, the Philadelphia Union (10-7-13)
will take to the West Coast to take on a Chivas USA (8-12-11) side fighting for their playoff
lives. With a win today, the Union would vault into 1st place in the Eastern Conference. Kickoff at
The Home Depot Center is scheduled for 8:06:30 PM ET.
Setting: Sunday, October 2 at The Home Depot Center in Carson,
Calif.; kickoff scheduled for 8:06:30 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: The Comcast Network (JP Dellacamera,
Taylor Twellman, Bob Rigby), coverage beginning at 7:30 PM with a pre-game show / PRIME TICKET
(Christian Miles, Allen Hopkins), KWHY-TV/W Radio 690 XEWW-AM (Hipólito Gamboa, Rigo
Cervantez) in Los Angeles / MLS Direct Kick, MatchDay Live (PRIME TICKET feed)
Chivas's Record: 8-12-11, seventh in West
Chivas's Last Match: W, 3-0 vs.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Union
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation reports that Keon Daniel may have contracted dengue
fever, a mosquito-borne illness, and will miss the CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against Bermuda.
The guy simply cannot catch a break.
JP Dellacamera says the Kansas City draw is cause for optimism.
After finally winning a game again, the Philadelphia Union (9-7-12) will travel to Kansas City
tonight and will vault back in first place tonight with a win against Sporting Kansas City
(10-9-10). Kickoff at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park is scheduled for 8:36:30 PM ET.
If you have not already, be sure to check out the following preview from The Brotherly Game
staff: [Ben's Match Preview] [Friday Afternoon Union Freekicks] [Scott Has A Conversation With The
Enemy].
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Union
Kerith Gabriel reports at the Daily News that, with Sheanon Williams out with a concussion, "As
of now, midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi is slated to fill in at right fullback." Deep breaths,
people, deep breaths.
Sporting Kansas City v Philadelphia Union match previews from the Brotherly Game, the Daily Wiz,
SB Nation, AP, PhillyBurbs.
Setting: Friday, September 23 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in
Kansas City, Kansas; kickoff scheduled for 8:36:30 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: Fox Soccer (JP Dellacamera, Kyle
Martino, Brian Dunseth) and Fox Deportes (Jorge Caamaño, Alejandro Luna) nationally as 'Soccer
Night in America', with coverage beginning at 8:00 PM Eastern with a pre-game show / La Gran D 1340
KDTD-AM (Raul Villegas, Enrique Morales) in Kansas City
Kansas City's Record: 10-9-10, second in East
Kansas City's Last Match: L, 1-0 at Real Salt Lake
Philadelphia vs.
Facing a 8-game winless streak and the absence of their veteran leader and goalkeeper Faryd
Mondragon, the Philadelphia Union (8-7-12) will play host tonight to the first place side in the
Eastern Conference, Columbus Crew (11-9-8). Kickoff at PPL Park is scheduled for 7:36:30 PM ET.
If you have not already, be sure to check out the following preview from The Brotherly Game
staff: [Ben's Match Preview] [Scott's Preview For SB Nation Philly] [Saturday Afternoon Union
Freekicks].
Setting: Saturday, September 17 at PPL Park in Chester;
kickoff scheduled for 7:36:30 PM Eastern.
Broadcast Information: The Comcast Network (JP Dellacamera,
Taylor Twellman, Bob Rigby), coverage beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern with a pre-game show / ONN
(Dwight Burgess, Duncan Oughton), News Talk 610 WTVN-AM (Neil Sika) and La Mega 103.
Facing a 7-game winless streak and the absence of their veteran leader and goalkeeper Faryd
Mondragon, the Philadelphia Union (8-7-11) will play host tonight to one of MLS's two new expansion
teams and a side trying to contend for the playoffs, Portland Timbers (9-12-5). Kickoff at PPL Park
is scheduled for 7:36:30 PM ET.
Setting: Saturday, September 10 at PPL Park in Chester;
kickoff scheduled for 7:36:30 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: The Comcast Network (JP Dellacamera,
Taylor Twellman, Bob Rigby), coverage beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern with a pre-game show / ROOT
Sports Northwest (Glenn Davis, Robbie Earle), NewsRadio 101.
Facing a 6-game winless streak and the absence of their veteran leader and goalkeeper Faryd
Mondragon, the Philadelphia Union (8-7-10) will play host tonight to the team they lost won against
in MLS play, New England Revolution (4-11-11). A game postponed because of Hurricane Irene will be
played in the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.
Setting: Wednesday, September 7 at PPL Park in Chester;
kickoff scheduled for 8:08:00 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: The Comcast Network (JP Dellacamera,
Taylor Twellman, Bob Rigby), coverage beginning at 7:30 PM Eastern with a pre-game show / Comcast
SportsNet New England and 98.
After a very long delay in Philadelphia Union games thanks to Hurricane Irene (seriously, the
last Union match was August 20), our boys in blue and gold are back as the Philadelphia Union
(8-6-10) are making the trip to Sandy, Utah for a date with Real Salt Lake (11-7-6). Kickoff at Rio
Tinto Stadium is scheduled for 9:06:30 PM ET.
Setting: Saturday, September 3 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy,
Utah; kickoff scheduled for 9:06:30 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: The Comcast Network (JP Dellacamera,
Taylor Twellman) with coverage beginning at 8:30 PM Eastern with Union Pre-Game Live / ESPN 700
KALL-AM (Bill Riley, Brian Kamler) and Juan 106.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Union
In this week's power rankings roundup, the Union drop everywhere. At Soccer America, the Union
fall three spots to tenth. The three spot fall at MLSsoccer.com is to ninth. At SBI, the fall is
two spots to ninth while at ESPN the two spot decline is to tenth.
What more is there to be said that has not already been said? It's a battle for first place in
the Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia Union (8-5-10) are on the road for what is without a doubt
their biggest match of the season thus far, a date with Columbus Crew (10-7-7). Kickoff at Columbus
Crew Stadium is scheduled for 8:06:30 PM ET (NOTE: Due to yesterday's storms which caused travel
delays, the kickoff time has been moved back from the original 7:30 start time.
Setting: Saturday, August 20 at Columbus Crew Stadium in
Columbus, Ohio; kickoff scheduled for 7:36:30 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: The Comcast Network (JP Dellacamera,
Taylor Twellman, Bob Rigby) with coverage beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern with a pre-game show / ONN
(Dwight Burgess, Dante Washington, Katie Witham), News Talk 610 WTVN-AM (Neil Sika, John Bluem) and
La Mega 103.
After a disappointing draw against the Houston Dynamo, the Philadelphia Union (8-5-9) are home
once again and try to redeem themselves against a team they have never beaten in their short
franchise history, FC Dallas (12-6-6). Oh, and something about some guy named Freddy Adu too.
Kickoff at PPL Park is scheduled for 8:06:30 PM ET.
Setting: Saturday, August 13 at PPL Park in Chester; kickoff
scheduled for 8:06:30 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: 6abc HD (JP Dellacamera, Taylor
Twellman, Bob Rigby, Jamie Apody) in Philadelphia, with coverage beginning at 7:30 PM Eastern with
a pre-game show; available on WQMY-TV in Northeastern Pennsylvania / Fox Sports Southwest (Bobby
Rhine, Steve Jolley) and Univision 1270 KFLC-AM (Carlos Alvarado, Rafael Calderon) in Dallas / MLS
Direct Kick, MatchDay Live (Fox Sports Southwest feed)
Dallas's Record: 12-6-6, second in West
Dallas's Last Match: L, 3-1 at
LA
Philadelphia vs.
Well here's an interesting subplot to the Union's 1-1 draw in Chicago, and particularly ahead of
Saturday's home match against Houston: despite a report posted today on Major League Soccer's
official website citing officials of Mexican side Veracruz that an acquisition of Carlos Ruiz's
rights from MLS has gone through, Philadelphia Union CEO and Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz told
Union play-by-play announcer JP Dellacamera that this is not the case.
Latest from the PSP: We had match reports from the Everton and Real Madrid friendlies. Earl
Gardner put together stunning photo essays from the Everton match, the Madrid match and a special
set from the Everton U-17 game. Ed has a stat chat from the Madrid game that proves Michael Farfan
is a $100 million player.
On Saturday, the 2011 version of the Gold Cup will conclude in Southern Califormia with the much
anticipated matchup between the United States and Mexico. Before the tournament concludes, we
thought it worth touching on a number of business items from the CONCACAF event.
The tournament is a big revenue generator as it provides ex-pats from a number of countries the
rare opportunity to see the teams from their homelands playing live.
As recently reported, FSC FOX Soccer is going through an exciting rebrand in time for the new
EPL season. As exciting as that sounds, FOX is missing a chance to generate buzz right now with
the Gold Cup. The Gold Cup, now in its knockout stages, will have possibly two weekend games for
the US men's national team -- which is a source of very good ratings.
