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Supporters summit, East Conference movement, more news

Photo: Guido Gaeffke

Union

Judging from the reaction on Twitter, last night’s Supporters Summit was a great success. Check out our report and look for Earl Gardner’s photo essay later today.

The Union Dues has a report of their own.

One of the results of the summit will make Twitter followers happy: Sebastien Le Toux will join Twitter next week.

Peter Nowak says of Saturday’s game in Columbus, “This is a very important game for all us. We’ve had a couple of weeks when it’s not been easy for us. Columbus is one of those games when if things come your way, you have to grab it. We have to play the best soccer we can.”

Union Dues previews the game.

Are the Union still looking to add players? “At the end of the day, we’re happy to add Freddy Adu,” Nowak said on Wednesday, “but we’re still looking.”

There’s a piece on the Union website called “Talking Tactics: Finding Freddy’s Fit in Philadelphia” but, as of this writing, the text cuts off mid-word before any tactics are really talked about. [Update: the article has been corrected. Click here to read it in full.] There’s also a piece of puff entitled, “Union Teammates Welcome Adu with Open Arms.

A piece on the Union site that is actually worth your time talks about the importance of the veteran leadership on the team. Danny Califf says, “For a lot of the young kids, they are not used to playing such a long season. A lot of what we do [as veterans] is try to keep everyone into it mentally and motivated because if you are not used to it you kind of hit a wall around this time of the year. Players can lose motivation and concentration at this time, which is a big part of what we try to bring to every training session. We have to make sure everyone is on their toes and putting the work in that needs to be put in.”

Murph at the Union Dues wonders if Adu fits the Union. His conclusion? Yes: “Welcome to Philadelphia Freddy, this will be the toughest city you have ever played for.”

The Brotherly Game looks at what the shutting down of WYSP for a FM version of WIP might mean for the Union.

The Union are teaming up with the Red Cross to host their second annual blood drive at PPL Park on September 24 from 6am to 4pm.

Independence

WPS announced its end of the season awards on Wednesday and the Independence came out big. Veronica Boquete was named Player of the Year, team captain Nikki Kryzsik was named Sportswoman of the Year and, for the second year in a row, Paul Riley was named Coach of the Year.

Well, the Independence now know who they will face at PPL Park on Saturday. MagicJack defeated Boston Breakers 3–1 on Wednesday night in the WPS Championship playoff game. As the Shin Guardian tweeted, “Big win for those that hate the phone company tonight in the WPS. As for the league…”

Although more than a third of the squad turned over from last year, Kryzsik sees similarities between the 2011 Independence and the 2010 version. “I think we’re very similar in that fact that we have a lot of heart and determination.”

You can buy tickets for Saturday’s Super Semifinal game here. Kickoff is at 4pm. Tailgating is encouraged and Fan Fest starts at 2pm.

Local

Harrisburg City Islander star Stephen Basso has returned to play after a mysterious illness put him in the hospital, missing the final two regular games of the season. Basso put in 45 minutes with the Union reserves against New York on Monday and will play in the USL Pro playoff game against LA Blues on Friday night.

The dates for local tryouts for the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program for U-12 through U-17 boys and girls have been announced.

The 1961 U-19 National Championship was held in Philadelphia. In the final, Philadelphia’s Lighthouse team faced San Francisco’s Hakoah. Hakaoh went on to deny Lighthouse its fifth national title, becoming the first junior team west of St. Louis to win a national championship, putting West Coast soccer on the map. Some of the Hakoah members recently reunited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their win.

Here’s a preview of the 2011 season for the Villanova women’s team.

Decent soccer fields are always at a premium. Here’s a look at the conflict surrounding the proposed conversion of Wyndmoor’s Wyndhill Park into soccer fields for the use of the Springfield Soccer Club.

MLS

Dublin's MetroHerald wished Thierry Henry a Happy Birthday on Wednesday

Kansas City defeated Portland 3–1 to pick up three points while a late goal salvaged a point for Houston against New England. Kansas City is now in third in the Eastern Conference with 33 points, one point behind the second place Union while Houston moved into fourth with 32 points. New York is in fifth with 31 points, one point ahead of sixth place DC, who play in Chicago tonight.

In CONCACAF Champions League play, the 1–0 win by FC Dallas over Puma makes them the first MLS team to win on Mexican soil. It only took 25 attempts (The USMNT and MLS combined were winless in Mexico in 49 attempts.). Colorado defeated Metapan 3–2.

It appears the reports that Eddie Johnson would return to MLS were premature.

In an article on the attendance problems some teams are facing, BNET notes that some Energy Drinks fans believe the team is happy not to fill its stadium because it wants the league to think another New York team isn’t viable. Oh Energy Drink fans, they’ll believe anything.

After 13 seasons in MLS, Jimmy Conrad will announce his retirement from the league today. Conrad is suffering from concussion-related symptoms and has not played since the second game of the season.

US

It looks like Glasgow Rangers is turning into the new Fulham as they add Alejandro Bedoya and Carlos Bocanegra to a roster that already includes Maurice Edu. Sorry guys, but I will never cheer for Rangers.

Elsewhere

Following Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup victory over Real Madrid, Gerard Pique says Jose Mourinho is “wrecking Spanish football.” He’s certainly quite the pincher.

4 Comments

  1. Incredible Cup game in Spain yesterday… ; took some amazing pinpoint passing by Barcelona to get that 3-2 winner. Then Madrid tried very hard to get an equalizer (which would have giving them the Cup), which they almost got, but then they lost their head and Fabregas got scizzored to the ground (welcome to Spain!) right in front of the bench which triggered the brawl. Mourinho got caught on camera poking somone or twisting someone’s ear and will not get off easily.

  2. The link to the Adu-tactics article is incorrect. Try this one – http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/08/talking-tactics-finding-freddys-fit-philadelphia – which is finished past the “vi” …

  3. @ed- right on! re: rangers

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