Union

Justin Mapp tells it like it is ahead of Saturday’s game in Colorado. “We always want to score, but it’s a work in progress, and we have to keep working and can’t get frustrated with each other. We scored multiple goals the last two games, and that is great, but now we have a new game and have to go out and produce again.”

With injuries plaguing the midfield ranks, look for the group who started against Toronto—Mapp, Carroll, Nakazawa, Garfan—to get the call against Colorado. “It’s an attack-oriented group for sure,” says John Hackworth. “It’s also a group that moves the ball very well and tries to keep it on the ground and bring a lot of players into it, specifically [fullbacks] Jordan Harvey and Sheanon Williams. I think you’re seeing more runs out of our midfielders, so it’s a good mix right now.”

A more attack minded midfield squares with Nowak’s belief that not just the forwards should think about scoring. “We need to work more on this” Nowak says, “to encourage the guys that everybody is capable of scoring, not just the guys up front.”

Kevin Kinkead submits another excellent scouting report on the Union website ahead of Saturday’s game: “Injuries decimate Rapids’ ranks…Still finding results…Midfield generals…Solid in the back.”

One of those midfield generals is Chestnut Hill Academy product Jeff Larentowicz. He says of the Rapids, “There are teams with designated players and guys coming in from overseas and teams looking for quick fixes, but our mantra is more of a hardworking team and one that kind of works together. We lack the superstar, but we have multiple guys who can get the job done.” Kind of sounds like the Union, doesn’t it, although we have a few superstars in the making.

JP Dellacamera outlines the challenges facing the Union against the Rapids.

In the PSP preview predicts a 2–1 Union win and Unholy Union agrees.

UK-based Union supporter Sam Barker writes at Major League Soccer UK, “Top of the table? Nice one. People will think I’m a glory hunter or something!”

This week’s Award for Stating the Obvious Headline goes to Union Waiving Chris Agorsor Could Be Precursor.

Real Madrid doesn’t come to Philadelphia without the support of the Philadelphia Eagles. The July 23 friendly will be the tenth soccer game played at the Linc, which opened with Manchester United v Barcelona in 2003. “This is a great Philadelphia story,” says Eagles president Joe Banner. “It says we have a great opportunity for soccer, and it’s a great compliment to the city that we have had really good success with hosting international soccer. By the way, Real Madrid has a $2.3 million guarantee for playing the Union. I wonder what the Union’s guarantee is?

The IllegitimateS are hosting their first Rock & Doop event at Kildare’s in Manayunk on Saturday. The band The Beta Phase will be playing before the Union take on Colorado.

Don’t have Union season tickets? You can join the waiting list for 2012 Union season tickets.

Independence

Joanna Lohman is profiled on the Independence website.

Saturday’s home game against Atlanta Beat is Scout & Club night. Kickoff is at 7pm.

US

Steve Davis previews Saturday’s USA v Spain friendly for SI. About the Bob Bradley’s possible lineup selection, Davis says on his blog, “My best guess is that Bradley will prioritize the Gold Cup opener. Yes, it’s a bold play considering Spain’s incomparable quality. And, yes, he’ll face withering criticism if events at Gillette Stadium turn into a Saturday night massacre. But how much more criticism will he face if the starters are worn and then lose to Canada on Tuesday?”

Looking for info on the Gold Cup? MLSsoccer.com has an informative section devoted to the tournament.

Grant Wahl gives the lowdown on why US Soccer did not publicly oppose Sepp Blatter, the prospects for a re-vote for the 2022 World Cup hosting rights and more in this must read.

Elsewhere

If you are looking for a short history of FIFA, its leadership and the influence of money on the organizations development, check out this documentary on BBC Radio 4, FIFA: Football, Power and Politics. The presenter is David Goldblatt, the English sociologist, sport historian and author of the The Ball is Round, the best global history of soccer ever written.

Kerith Gabriel talked to an anonymous US Soccer insider about the scandalous goings on at FIFA who said, “This isn’t anything new, these guys have been doing this for years. Have you ever seen the FIFA executives at the World Cup or at a major FIFA event? They get treated like royalty. We’re talking about old men, old money who could care less about soccer, but how soccer can continue to line their pockets. The players, who should be the focus because they are the real moneymakers, get very little, while these guys in the suits help themselves and have access to whatever they want. There’s no transparency, they don’t have to answer to anyone.”

“I do not expect any more battles, now we are going into a new period of FIFA transparency,” says Sepp Blatter. “I think the message was clear for all the associations.” Reuters says, “That may be wishful thinking.”

As if there was any doubt, adidas has agreed to continue sponsoring FIFA.

Some idiot kid tried to punch Lionel Messi as he was leaving a restaurant in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. He missed. Even if he had connected, I suspect Messi wouldn’t have gone down.

Footy on the Telly™

Friday, June 3
Colombia v Ivory Coast 11:15am GolTV
Italy v Portugal 1:30pm GolTV
Austria v Germany 2:30pm ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Los Angeles Galaxy v D.C. United 11pm FSC

Saturday, June 4
Hungary v Mexico 10:15am GolTV
Russia v Armenia 11am ESPN Deportes
England v Switzerland 11:30am FSC
France v China 12:30pm GolTV
Brazil v Netherlands 3pm Univision
Portugal v Norway 4pm ESPN Deportes
USA v Spain 4:30pm ESPN, Univision
Fluminense v Cruzeiro 5:30pm GolTV
Millonarios v Equidad 7:30pm GolTV
Colorado Rapids v Philadelphia Union 9pm TCN
San Jose Earthquakes v Houston Dynamo 10pm Galavision

Sunday, June 5
Poland v Argentina 11am ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Colombia v Italy 12:30pm GolTV
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich 1pm Fox Deportes
USWNT v Mexico 2pm ESPN2, Univision
Flamengo v Corinthians 3pm GolTV
Nacional v Tolima 5pm GolTV
Costa Rica v Cuba 5:30pm Univision
Boston Breakers v Magicjack 6pm FSC
Mexico v El Salvador 8pm Univision

Monday, June 6
China v Mexico 12pm GolTV
Jamaica v Grenada 9pm Galavision
Honduras v Guatemala 11:30pm Telefutura