I imagine somebody at MLSSoccer.com is smiling smugly right now. I just wish I could link to FakeSigi's MLSSoccer website article for irony's sake. However, in a double ironical twist, I can't. Typing this brief paragraph with a straight face has grown burdensome.
Today's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of
Philadelphia Union, MLS, and U.S. National team related news and notes...
Union players set sights on winning record for Hackworth [Dave Zeitlin, MLSsoccer.com] -
"[As] upset as the players were with themselves following this past Saturday's scoreless draw with
New England, they seemed to feel even worse for manager John Hackworth.
Today's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of
Philadelphia Union, MLS, and U.S. National team related news and notes...
US acclimating in Miami ahead of "difficult" Jamaica match [Robert Andrew Powell, MLSSoccer.com]
- "Emboldened by this year's first-ever wins over Italy in Italy and over Mexico in Estadio Azteca,
the US men's national team launched camp on Labor Day resolved to earn another first in a World Cup
qualifier this Friday.
After taking just two points from five straight games against the league's worst teams, the
Portland Timbers are about to face one of the MLS' best. Oi.
Any discussion of the New York Red Bulls, from Portland's perspective, must start with Kenny
Cooper. His 13 goals in 2012 have been a sore spot for Timbers fans, mainly because of how much
more that number is than his 2011 total.
Good morning everyone, welcome to the Humpday edition of Musket Rounds. For some reason I keep
thinking it's Tuesday, but it most certainly is not. Anyway, today we have a decent variety of New
England Revolution news and also some pretty good pieces that deal with soccer abroad.
Specifically, I think you should all look at the interesting TSG piece on Carlos Bocanegra I'll be
linking after the jump, it makes some interesting points.
On Sunday night, PSP broke the news that Diego Gutierrez and Alecko Eskadarian are no longer
with the Union. Union Tally and The Goalkeeper soon confirmed our report. A teleconference is
scheduled for today at 1:30pm.
Today's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of
Philadelphia Union, MLS, and U.S. National team related news and notes...
Is Jurgen Klinsmann Capable Of Being More Tactically Flexible? [Ryan Rosenblatt, Stars
and Stripes FC] - "Some have questioned whether the style that the U.
Today's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of Philadelphia Union, MLS, and
U.S. National team related news and notes...
United States Lineup Projection: Anyone's Guess With Donovan Out [Kevin McCauley, Stars and
Stripes FC] - "Projecting a first choice starting XI for the United States when everyone is healthy
isn't too tough, but when two key players are missing?
Happy labor day, everyone! Today's open thread for all things Union, MLS, barbeque, etc.
Monday MLS Breakdown: John Hackworth plans for his permanent future in Philadelphia [Kyle
McCarthy, Goal.com] - "Player development and team building rank high on the agenda as Hackworth
attempts to continue the work started during his interim reign with the Union.
That just happened. An understrength, but undeterred U.S. men's national team walked into
Estadio Azteca and weather the crowd and 75 years of history to smash-and-grab a 1-0 win against
Mexico. A series of substitutes for Jurgen Klinsmann's side, Brek Shea on... well... the break
played the ball across the front of goal where Terrance Boyd backhealed the ball towards an
onrushing Michael Orozco Fiscal (why was he so far upfield!
Today's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of
Philadelphia Union, MLS, and U.S. National team related news and notes...
The U.S. is in pain heading into World Cup qualifiers [Frank Isola, Goal.com] - "Injuries
and fitness have robbed the United States of most of its best midfield heading into a pair of
matches with Jamaica.
Welcome to the Hungover Labor Day edition! We try to make sense of the
recent ownership takeover at Chivas USA, Tom Marshall (mlssoccer.com)
shines some light on Jorge Vergara, Luis Bueno talks us off the ledge
again and we talk a little soccer. Orale!
ELAC and Glyconerd bring you What The Flock Episode 18 Luis Bueno (mlssoccer.com), fan
reactions
After the 6-2 defeat at home to Seattle Sounders ELAC and a knife wheedling Glyconerd try to
make sense of Robin Fraser's tactics, Luis Bueno joins to pull us back from the brink, and super
fan Ty calls in to give us his perspective on Robin Fraser.
Their Words "Obviously, the more I play with the guys, the better our understanding will be. So,
hopefully today was the first step, and now we can hopefully build upon that and continue to get
better collectively." Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron. Other Sources San Jose announce
groundbreaking date for new stadium - from MLSsoccer.
Their Words "It was the exact opposite I asked for in the dressing room. If you don't close people
down, you're going to get punished." Toronto coach Paul Mariner. Other Sources Looking ahead to
U.S. World Cup qualifying - from Soccernet's Jeff Carlisle: The Americans knew to a man that they
had ridden the defend-and-counter playbook to perfection.
Their Words "It just proves the incredible strength of football, and most notably of the UEFA
Champions League, whose thrilling games deliver the perfect show to stadium crowds and TV
spectators. This is thanks in no small part to the great collaboration between UEFA and the clubs."
UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino.
Their Words We are Everton and we must win these games." Everton froward Apostolos Vellios. Other
Sources Michael Bradley: Roma is an exciting challenge - from Goal.com's Alex Labidou: "that's what
I'm about as a player." New league, new start in Mexico - from MLSsoccer.com's Tom Marshall: and
Torres looks set to be given the chance to make a central midfield spot his own.
Their Words "It has not been an easy task to finalise my squad for this tournament, and the stature
of the competition and uniqueness of the occasion has underlined the importance of every choice I
have made." Team GB men's coach Stuart Pearce. Other Sources DC heed Olsen's call to be better in
possession in big win - from MLSsoccer.
Happy Tuesday everyone! It's actually my first effort at these Musket Rounds so be gentle with
you're feedback! Today, we take a look at a few things around the soccer world, with some Revs'
analysis, a look ahead to the CCL, and a quick and painful look at the MLS Power Rankings.
Enjoy!
REVOLUTION LINKS
Revs carry on, but come up empty - Boston New England Revolution Blog - ESPN Boston
Two major defensive lapses in the first twenty five minutes doomed the Revolution to their sixth
successive defeat, and good friend Brian O'Connell breaks it down over at ESPNBoston.
Good morning and welcome to this Monday edition of Musket Rounds. We have kind of a meager
lineup for you today, but that doesn't mean the quality of the news has dropped; far from it. It's
just Monday, and it's right after yet another ugly New England Revolution loss, so perhaps
our hearts just aren't in it today.
In something of a change of pace from our normal Musket Rounds, I would like to place a clipping
right up here at the top of the page in an effort to put the spotlight on it that it deserves.
After that, on to New England Revolution news and other links as usual.
The Beautiful Game: Fair Trade And Soccer " The Shin Guardian
This is an excellent article in TSG's Beautiful Game series that spotlights Senda Athletics, a
fair-trade soccer ball company.
The week goes on, and what a week it is! The New England Revolution are still shedding dead
weight ahead of the September 15th roster freeze, and there's been a development in the allocation
order department as Luis Robles has agreed to sign with MLS and enter the process. Apart from that,
there's the massive controversy over the thrilling USA vs.
Thank Gooodness It's Friday, am I right? And what a week it has been for the New England
Revolution. Captain traded away midweek, star striker gets arrested and tries to use the old "I'm a
famous athlete" defense before finding out that being an MLS athlete in New England makes you about
as famous as the Brazilian national curling team, and there's still a massively important game
ahead on the weekend.
Doesn't it feel great to wake up Monday morning and have it be the day after a win?
Especially a comprehensive, dominant victory over a team from New York? The New England Revolution
put in a classic performance to crush the Red Bulls, although poor finishing kept it from being the
rout it probably should have been.
"Maybe we have to think about opening up the upper level every game," Sounders goalkeeper
Michael Gspurning said. "It's always amazing in front of this crowd. Before the game, if you walk
through the tunnel, [and hear] the clap-clap, you get goose bumps. It's amazing."
Gaudy home attendance numbers bring best out of Seattle | MLSsoccer.
With the CONCACAF Champions League being the only game on tonight's schedule "The Daily" gives Seattle strong attention. This includes a report from Torreon.
Jamaica Beats U.S. in World Cup Qualifier, 2-1 - from The NY Times' Andrew Keh: In all, it should
make for a compelling night of soccer. Three things we learned from the US loss in Kingston - from
MLSsoccer.com's Matthew Doyle: but it does mean we've got trouble. Sloppy play, lackluster tactics
doom U.
Another game, another somewhat disappointing result for the Union. They had nearly 70% of
possession in the first half, and had a handful of prime scoring opportunities in the second half,
but couldn't score. But it's like we've come to expect that, so this wasn't anything all that new.
Still, a road point is never a terrible result.
Before I forget, it was great to meet more of the Sounder at Heart community at The Berliner,
which was a cracking good time until the very end. This is going to be a short one as I, like many
of you, am still in mourning over Wednesday's weird loss. I AM ONLY HUMAN!!! *sobs*
MLS' 90 Plus Week 22 is up, which mercifully includes Seattle's LA romp without a mention of any
Open Cups.
In what must be labeled one of the more enjoyable friendlies Seattle has been exposed to, nearly
54,000 people saw the Sounders play decently in a 4-2 loss to English club Chelsea. SaH has covered
most of it, but some of the views from the other side are interesting as well. We Ain't got no
History has their thoughts on their first preseason game.
