First of all, let me say that it is extremely frustrating to search for news on Philly’s MLS team when the State of the Union address is coming up. Good luck tomorrow, Ed.
Sexism
It appears Andy Gray made a second set of disgusting remarks about female linesman Sian Massey. He was egged on by Sky reporter Andy Burton, who was – I kid you not – “spoken to and warned” following an exchange in which he and Gray discussed whether the woman was attractive enough to have sex with. Burton – I seriously kid you not – was suspended from covering Wednesday’s Carling Cup match. That’ll show him. As of this writing, nobody has apologized.
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said Serie A is not ready for female linesmen “because the fans in Italy throw all sorts of things.” Like what? Flaming, bottled sexism?
Union
With training camp underway, all the major media outlets ran their welcome-back stories yesterday. The Daily News tells us that Danny Mwanga wants to improve on his rookie performance (whew, there were rumors he was going to tank it). Woody Chipman (awesome lumberjack name) lists five goals for the Union’s season. “Playoffs or bust” is a pretty good goal since… it’s always the goal. He nails #5 though: “Take the US Open Cup seriously.” Right on. With so much youth and ambition, the Union should put some serious stock in the Cup this year.
a third may be Brian Ombiji, while a fourth may just be Danny Califf’s beautiful hair. That is one talented mane.
Bobby Convey is coming to town! San Jose’s star midfielder is receiving the Philadelphia Sports Writer’s Association’s Native Son award. Roy Halladay will receive the PSWA’s Athlete of the Year award. Which is crap because he was brought in to lead the Phillies to a championship and didn’t while Sebastian Le Toux carried a MLS franchise on his back.
MLS
In its continuing quest to avoid developing homegrown talent, New York Energy Drinks signed Jan Gunnar Solli from SK Brann of the Norwegian top league.
Looking at TheBestEleven’s list of all-time MLS transfers to England, it appears that DC United and New England Revolution have the best track record. The truth is that this list is so disappointingly thin. And doesn’t have Landon Donovan’s name on it. Just sell the little elf!
USA
The Shin Guardian goes in-depth on the USMNT roster. It’s a pretty great piece, although I’d like Jozy Altidore to score a goal at some point if he’s going to remain our pointman.
State of the Union address?!? Nooooooooooooooooo!
My favorite daydream: Union wins US Open Cup (or the league), wins CONCACAF Champions League and makes it to the final game of the Club World Cup. I usually wake up around there so I’m not sure if the Union wins the Club World Cup. Probably.
For what it’s worth, I think it was my Tweet regarding Jeremiah (was a bullfrog) White that clued TBG in, and they ran with (even though it was their picture I was referring to). Ow, I think I just pulled a muscle trying to pat myself on the back. I knew I should’ve stuck with just trying to toot my own horn. 😉 You know, Nowak said last season that he was taking the USOC game versus NY seriously … bringing SLT9 on in the second half (and him subsequently getting injured) seemed to contradict that sentiment, though.
I don’t know if they’ve changed it yet, but they originally had his name as “Jeremy White” in the headline.
I fixed it. Made the mistake of staying up until 6 am and trying to sleep deprive post a story at 4:45 am.
No prob! I wasn’t actually sure myself at first.