Photo: Paul Rudderow
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Union
Danny Califf says that many on the team think of Saturday’s home opener as the “big start” of the season. “The anticipation that this place is just going to go off the rocker is palpable in the locker room.”
Peter Nowak says just because Vancouver is an expansion team the match will not be a “walk in the park,” adding “Vancouver is going to be a very difficult game for us.”
Brian Carroll says of Vancouver, who defeated Toronto 4–2 on Saturday, “I don’t even refer to them as an expansion team.”
Kerith Gabriel of the Daily News has an extended video report from Wednesday’s press conference. Gabriel says Nowak is looking for a “possible mixture” of a Le Toux, Ruiz and Mapp “frontline” to get the Union offense firing.
Marc Narducci reports in the Inquirer that Peter Nowak says the Union’s starting lineup is flexible. “We tried to display a couple of systems we can use throughout the season, and it’s not going to be this or that. We have enough options to mix things up and choose the best possible way to approach a game.”
Nowak’s press conference ended on a lighter note with the coach commenting on Ochocinco’s trial with Sporting KC—”I hope he’s aware of the salary cap we have because it’s a little bit different [than in the NFL].” Nowak says that the Union have been approached by several NFL players. When asked who these players are, Nowak answered, “I’m not going to tell you,” before adding, “I think we should arrange some training games. I think that would be nice.” Nowak said, “It is a little different playing with your hands and playing with your feet.”
More video can be found on the Union’s website.
A limited number of tickets—fewer than 500—have gone on sale for Saturday’s home opener.
Union City Blue takes issue with the Union’s policy of announcing a sell out and then saying tickets are available and wonders “if the Union was actually using the “sell out” as a ploy to push season ticket packages,” which, UCB notes, have not yet sold out.
In related ticket news, you can download the order form for the US Open Cup match between the Union and DC United on April 6 at the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, MD on the Sons of Ben site. The sale of ticket, which are only $20, for this match are being handled by DC United. The post on the SoB site notes that “There will NOT be a bus for this trip.”
Sheanon Williams’ absurdly long throw-in directly led to the Union’s goal against Houston. Kyle Nakazawa says, “I saw some of the faces on Houston’s defense and they were like, ‘What’s this guy doing?’ No one expects to get scored on a throw-in.”
FiOS subscribers can now watch Union content for free on demand.
Vancouver Watch
The Whitecaps website has an update of international call ups and injury report for the team. As the PSP said yesterday, starting center backs Jay DeMeritt has been called up to the USMNT, Michael Boxall to the New Zealand team. Omar Salgado, ineligible to take the field for Vancouver until he turns 18 in September, is with the US U-20 team.
SuperDraft pick Michael Nanchoff (groin) and midfielders John Thorrington (quad strain) and Davide Chiumiento (hamstring) are questionable. The post on the Whitecaps web site says Shea Salinas is doubtful with a knee sprain but the Vancouver Province’s Whitecaps beat reporter Marc Weber and the Inquirer’s Marc Narducci confirm that Salinas will not make the trip.
Independence
The Independence have signed Havertown-native Sinead Farrelly, their first round pick in this year’s draft. Coach Paul Riley calss Farrelly, “one of the most natural midfielders I’ve ever coached.”
The Independence trounced Penn State 5–1 Wednesday night in a preseason scrimmage match at United Sports in Downingtown. Tasha Kai scored two goals the game, which was played over three 35 minute periods.
Local
Philadelphia-native and Baltimore Blast player Pat Morris has been named the Major Indoor Soccer League Defender of the Year.
Just because North Catholic High School is no more doesn’t mean its Soccer Hall of Fame won’t continue. Their yearly ceremony to honor ten inductees will be held Sunday, March 27 beginning at 2pm at Romano’s Caterers, Castor Avenue and Wingohocking Street, in Juniata Park.
MLS
Chad Ochocinco was surprisingly realistic after his first trial day with Sporting KC. “The only thing I’m probably good at is just being fast as hell. That’s about it right now. To play this game there is an art to it, a skill to it. That skill takes a long time to perfect and master…That’s why they call it the beautiful game…I ate the humble pie before I even landed. Trust me. I understand how difficult this game is to play…I don’t think I’m going to take anybody’s job. It’s not going to happen. They’ve been playing this game for years, and I’m trying to make the transition between football and fútbol. To come in here and take somebody’s job is pretty farfetched.”
Dominic Oduro, who missed a sitter against the Union last Saturday, has been traded by Houston to Chicago Fire. The Dynamo got forward Calen Carr in the trade.
Columbus Crew say they are not trying to trade Robbie Rogers.
With the injury to Stuart Holden, Houston Dynamo have decided not to go forward with a summer friendly against Bolton.
US
When the USMNT takes the field against Argentina and Paraguay they will be wearing the brand new red kit. I like it.
Elsewhere
The next round of La Liga, scheduled for April 2 and 3, has been postponed because of a dispute about TV revenue between clubs and the Spanish government. Current law mandates that one match per week be available over free-to-air broadcast. The clubs want to move to a complete pay-per-view package as in England and Italy, arguing “they need the additional TV revenue that the extra game would provide.” What a bunch of greedy bastards.
Former Brazil and current Sao Paolo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni scored the 99th goal of his career in the match against Paulista on Wednesday.
If Mwanga doesn’t start on Saturday, I’m booing. Feel free to take shots at me.
Count me in Eli. I’ll be booing and wearing my Mwanga jersey. Experimenting is one thing but number 10 on the bench is just dumb.
I concur. If Mwanga is fit, he should start. We looked like a completely different team when Danny Boy hit the pitch. Ruiz on the bench, or better yet, on the banks of the Delaware where he can dive and swim with the other fish!
Danny Mwanga! Most stylish footballing available in the blue and gold!