Daily news roundups / Featured

Heads up, Columbus

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Union

Peter Nowak on Saturday’s crucial match in Columbus: “I think Columbus will be one of those games that [a challenge] will come our way and we have to grab one point or three points and have to make the best of it.”

Danny Califf calls the match “a six pointer,” adding, “It’s the most important game of the season so far. It’s not too early enough in the season to be saying it. We’re approaching it in that manner.”

What do Nowak and Califf mean? Earlier this week PSP posted an article that looked at how the mid-week matches of three teams in the pack nipping at the Union’s heels combined with this weekend’s matches meant that the Eastern Conference standings could be very different by Monday morning with the worst case scenario seeing the Union in a tie for fourth place with New York. Thankfully, that possibility has been averted. Of the midweek games, Kansas City’s win saw them move into third place with 33 points, one point behind the Union, who are themselves three points behind Columbus. Houston and DC both picked up a point from midweek draws, so Houston is now in fourth place with 32 points and DC is tied with New York for fifth with 31 points and, like the Union, has two games in hand. Come Monday, the Eastern Conference standings could see the Union tied with Columbus for first place with a win at 37 points; with a draw at 35 points and either alone in second, tied with Houston in second, or one point behind Kansas City for third; with a loss at 34 points and tied with New York and DC (if DC beats KC) or New York and KC (if KC draws with DC). At least I think that’s how it works out. Whatever. Win, Union, and our heads will stop spinning for another week. Mine will, anyway.

KYW talks to former Columbus Crew player Brian Carroll ahead of Saturday’s big match up.

Match previews from Unholy Union, phillyburbs.com, and Goal.com.

For a look at what they’re thinking in Columbus, Josh Gardner and Kevin Burns preview the match, Emilio Rentería’s return to fitness, and some jokers think Columbus is the home of the “real Rocky.” Pitiful.

Freddy Adu said, “I have to get on board with everybody else. Once that happens, I think we are going to be tough to beat because we have a pretty good team.”

Adu also said, “From the little I’ve been here, I see so much talent on the field. I think we have the ability to be a really, really good club and I’m proud to be part of the team.”

A piece on the Union website begins, “the end of the summer transfer window doesn’t necessarily mean the end of trades, movement and general front office activity for the season.” For those who may have expected the Union to have picked up more than one player during the transfer window, Nowak says, “As much as you make all preparations and planning for the summer transfer window, there are many things you have to embrace and, in some capacity, the negotiations don’t always go the way they’re supposed to go.”

How does Nowak feel about the Union’s chances of making the playoffs? “When you look at the whole team before the transfer window starts, you ask yourself, ‘Is this the team you want to go through the rest of the season [with]?” Nowak said. “Are they capable of winning MLS Cup or being a contender for the playoffs? I think we, looking at the first 20 games, we feel pretty good about our chances to be in the playoffs.”

Nowak joining Twitter may be the single most inspired public relations move any one has made in the league this year. Fans who only a few weeks ago were screaming bloody murder after comments he made during the announcement that Carlos Ruiz’ (who?) exit are now rapidly falling in love with his wit and humor. On Thursday, Nowak scored a screamer. When asked what he would do if Jose Mourinho pinched him (Mourinho pinched  the face of a Barcelona assistant coach during the melee late in Wednesday’s Spanish Super Cup match), Nowak replied “probably triple impact and double DOOP.” LOL, Peter, LOL.

Nick Sakiewicz says of Nowak on Twitter, “We know what to say and when to say it and how to say it, so we’re going to try to measure our words as we always do. It’s part of bringing the technical staff closer to the fans.”

The folks in Harrisburg are excited for next week’s friendly between the Union and the City Islanders, particularly for the return of former City Islander Sheanon Williams.

More on the Supporters Summit from goal.com.

Independence

ESPNW  looks at the Spanish flair on the Independence, Veronica Boquete and Laura del Rio.

Don’t forget to get your tickets for tomorrow’s Super Semifinal at PPL Park between the Independence and magicJack.

Unlike magicJack, who had a game on Wednesday to qualify for Saturday’s semifinal, the Independence were able to get some rest after the close of the regular season last weekend. Tasha Kai says, “This is the best I’ve felt all season.”

Local

The Goalkeeper has an interesting piece looking at two local lads, Jeff Parke and Michael Seamon, plying their trade for Seattle Sounders.

PennLive.com talks to Mechanicsburg-native and FC Dallas rookie Bobby Warshaw.

MLS

DC United drew 1–1 away with Chicago to move into a tie with New York for fifth place with two games in hand. It was a record setting 15th draw this season for Chicago.

Toronto’s 2–1 road win over Panama’s Tauro FC makes it five for five for MLS teams this week in CONCACAF Champions League play.

KYW NewsRadio talks to MLS commissioner Don Garber.

AD22 questions the description of the Eastern Conference as weak compared to the Western Conference in this thoughtful piece.

The Goalkeeper talks about live chatting the Flyers, his twitter followers, and various people he knows or has bumped into across the country in a piece that attempts to make comparisons between the Cascadian Derby and various Philly sports rivalries. Then he suggests you read his college sports blog.

Grant Wahl says the addition of Robbie Keane makes LA the team to beat for the MLS Cup.

Elsewhere

Talks will resume today between La Liga and the Spanish players’ union in an effort to avert the strike scheduled for this weekend.

Sid Lowe says the bad blood between Barcelona v Real Madrid is worse than ever. “Worse of all was the fact that suddenly we were all talking about the punch up and the fall out, rather than the games.”

2 Comments

  1. Some key matches on Saturday: 2nd week in England, U20 WC between Brazil & Portugal, Independence, Union … Lots of DVRing to do 🙂

  2. Get a ticket to the INDEPENDENCE!!!

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