Photo: Earl Gardner
Le Toux talks
It just won't stop.
As suggested by the 130 readers' comments posted on PSP in less then 24 hours since the Le Toux
transfer news broke, if the sadness felt by Union fans at the news of Sebastien Le Toux's transfer
to Vancouver wasn't enough, subsequent comments from Peter Nowak and Le Toux will, for many, see
that sadness turn to anger.
The Philadelphia Union announced what Sebastien Le Toux already told us: The team's all-time
leading everything has been traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps for allocation money.
Reaction to the news has been met with disbelief, scorn, whatever tears look like on twitter,
and more disbelief.
See Tim Carr's PSP piece, and our earlier piece on how news of the trade leaked out for more
information.
Photo: Michael Long
Before I get too far into discussing the decision of WPS to cancel the 2012 season, let me say
that my initial reaction when the news first broke was that I was simply gutted. Gutted for every
fantastic person I've met covering the Independence and women's soccer in general.
Philadelphia Union and Faryd Mondragon confirmed Monday that the veteran goalkeeper will leave
to sign with Colombian club Deportivo Cali.
Mondragon, 40, will return to his hometown to play for the team he made his professional debut
for more than 20 years ago.
"For family reasons, I have requested the club to allow me the opportunity to finish my career
where it started," Mondragon said in a statement released Monday afternoon by the Union.
Editor's note: For your offseason pleasure, PSP is happy to present an multi-part fiction
series entitled The Pine Barrens League. In the conclusion of the story, it is the second
half of the final. Schnauzer and company have 45 minutes to score a goal to win the
money.
We were exhausted when we got off the field at half time.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
The silly season got sillier for the Philadelphia Union over the weekend. Following word from
England that Sebastien Le Toux reportedly did not sufficiently impress while on trial with Bolton,
and the news that Danny Mwanga is training for two weeks with Aston Villa, the Union transfer rumor
well still wasn't dry.
Union Tell PSP They Haven't Talked To Deportivo Cali, Mondragon Is In Camp
The headline says it all.
Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Independence
On Wednesday, the Independence finally made official what has been rumored for weeks, that
former Atlanta Beat midfielder/striker Lori Chalupny has signed with the team. Chalupny is a former
USWNT player who has been capped over 90 times for the senior squad.
Photo: Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
Joining KYW's Greg Orlandini and PSP's Eli Pearlman-Storch on the latest edition of the Philly
Soccer Show podcast is Philadelphia Union first round draft pick Chandler Hoffman.
The UCLA/Generation adidas forward scored 18 goals in 24 games during his last season with the
Bruins, and hopes to bring that scoring touch to PPL Park.
Philadelphia Union
Are the Union shopping Danny Mwanga, as was reported by Ives Galarcep on Wednesday? "For the
record we are not shopping Danny Mwanga," Diego Gutierrez tells Kerith Gabriel. "A lot of teams are
finding themselves in a tough spot in the market and are looking within the league to
supplement.
Click here to view the embedded video.
With the 13th pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, the Philadelphia Union selected UCLA striker
Chandler Hoffman. The Hoff had 29 goals and 9 assists in three collegiate seasons, including an
astounding 18 goals and 6 assists in 2011.
An impressive combine performance didn't help Hoffman, who dropped much further than
expected.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every
Philadelphia Union player. Over the past several weeks PSP continued with a review of the 2011
season. We conclude with a review of Peter Nowak's 2011 season.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
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.
Scouts spend all year watching college players on the field, then they show up at the January
combine and throw it all out the window.
When rumors of Carlos Ruiz's imminent arrival in Philadelphia surfaced, PSP's Mike Servedio
wrote, "Ruiz is known as a mixed bag, a temperamental striker who has had some big seasons in
terms of goals in the MLS, but is just as well known for his flagrant diving. The Union could
definitely use an experienced goal-scoring striker, with only three out-and-out strikers on the
roster, but with Ruiz' reputation he might have to work to win over the Union faithful (myself
included).
Editor's note: The MLS partnership with Opta Sports has resulted in richer ways to
understand the performance of the Philadelphia Union and its players through statistical analysis.
PSP's efforts to collect and share match statistics have been enhanced by the deeper analysis
offered by Ford Bohrmann.
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.
I saved Migs for my last player review of the season because really, what else is there to
say?
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
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.
Keon Daniel first showed up as the unknown trialist.
Photo: Earl Gardner
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.
When the Philadelphia Union took goalkeeper Zac MacMath as their first round pick in the 2011
MLS Superdraft, many a fan and pundit were left saying "Huh?
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.
While much has been said about the arrival of Faryd Mondragon and its effect on the stability of
the Union's defense, the arrival of Carlos Valdes has been just important.
Editor's note: For your offseason pleasure, PSP is happy to present an eight-part fiction
series entitled The Pine Barrens League. In part three, Scnauzer and company play a
bunch of nasty Wall Street types. Look for each new installment on Monday mornings through the end
of January.
Photo: Earl Gardner
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.
Zach Pfeffer was signed as the Union's first Homegrown player before the beginning of the 2011
season at the ripe old age of 15.
Featured image: Earl Gardner
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.
Some players get passed over because teams don't think they have the size or the speed to make
it at the next level.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
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.
Jordan Harvey is a Union original. Acquired from Colorado in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft,
Harvey featured in 46 of the Union's 47 matches before being dealt to the Vancouver Whitecaps for
allocation money on July 7, 2011.
Photo: 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.
Faryd Mondragon looked like the answer in 2011.
Featured image: Paul Rudderow
When I was gathering the season stats for all of the Philadelphia Union players to share with
the PSP writers for our forthcoming 2011 season review series I realized no passing stats were
available, either for the club or for individual players. Actually, that's not precisely true; you
can find passing percentages for the team on a game-by-game basis by clicking on the Stat tab for
each game's MatchCenter page at MLSsoccer.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Does anyone ever really pay much attention draft picks after the first round? Maybe in the NFL
where there is real depth from a wealth of college talent and combine hype. But in the MLS
SuperDraft? Does anyone after the first dozen or so selections really matter?
(Photo: Michael Long)
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of "Raves" about 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 writers' and
contributors' favorite players of 2011.
(Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz)
Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of raves "Raves" about 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 writers and
contributors favorite players of 2011.
(Photo: Nicolae Stoian)
Editor's note: Last year, we posted a series of "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.
Securing victory over Slovenia was nice. And scoring three goals was even better, but until
World Cup Qualification begins, the results still do not matter. Rather, it is the performance of
individuals and how they help to shape the team's formation and tactics that are most important to
evaluate as the pieces come together for Jurgen Klinsmann's US National Team.
(Photo: Earl Gardner)
On Wednesday, we took a look at who should be protected in the 2011 Expansion Draft by the
Philadelphia Union based on the player ratings we do after each game. We now look at who earned Man
of the Match—the highest rated player in each game— honors in 2011.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
After every Union match, The Philly Soccer Page publishes its exclusive player ratings. Moments
later, our wonderful readers follow up with expansive debate.
With the expansion draft looming, let's see if the PSP's ratings can predict who the Union will
and should protect.
So yeah, it's our birthday.
Two years ago today, PSP went live. Somehow, we're still here.
So for once, PSP is going to write about PSP in a bit of a stream of consciousness.
Ch-ch-ch-changes (as in, we had a few)
A lot has changed over two years. Philadelphia actually has a team now, for one.
PSP photographer Nicolae Stoian's photo essay of the Phialelphia Union's 1–2 loss to
Houston Dynamo in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal.
Leaving the tunnel
The National Anthem
That will be a yellow card.
Califf on Carr.
(Photo: Courtesy of MLSsoccer.com)
Geoff Cameron scored the tying goal for Houston at PPL Park on August 6th. Since then, the
Dynamo have only lost twice and have gone undefeated at home. Cameron has moved from the midfield
to the back line and rejuvenated the Dynamo defense. The team has not lost with him in the back and
they shut out both Dallas and Portland on the road (!
(Photos: Earl Gardner)
Our two-part look at the Camden Youth Soccer Club concludes with a Q & A with coach Barry
Evans. The series began with a photo essay by PSP photographer Earl Gardner.
Philly Soccer Page: Tell me a little bit about your soccer background.
PSP photographer Nicolae Stoian was on hand for the final game of the regular season in New
York. Here's what he saw.
The starting XI
Mapp looking to move.
Marfan is taken down.
This is not a foul.
Amobi Okugo holding off Luke Rodgers.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
The Shin Guardian invited Philly Soccer Page to write a preview of Thursday night's Philadelphia
Union game against New York. And when the Shin Guardian calls, it is PSP's Adam Cann who answers
the call.
Among the topics covered are:
John Harkes Keys to the Game "Thursday's predicted Harkes' Keys: 1) Stop Le Toux, 2) Don't
Give Up Goals 3) Marquez Something Something.
Photo courtesy of The Original Winger
In the latest edition of the Philly Soccer Show podcast, KYW's Greg Orlandini and PSP's
Eli-Pearlman Storch are joined by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl.
In part one, Wahl talks about how the New York Red Bulls, the Union's regular season opponent on
Thursday night, have underachieved, noting that Philadelphia survived some ups and downs to make
the playoffs and possibly win the Eastern Conference.
So, here we are.
No more games in hand are left, it is all down to the final game of the season.
When we started this series way back on September 29 following predictions PSP writer Eli
Pearlman-Storch made on that week's edition of the KYW Philly Soccer Show podcast, the Union were
in fourth place with 40 points, four points behind first place Kansas City.
