Photo: Earl Gardner
Union
In this week’s power rankings roundup, the Philadelphia Union move up one spot to no. 10 at MLSsoccer.com (“They haven’t won in a long time, their body language is not particularly good right now, they’re inconsistent offensively and the defense is suddenly leaky. Uh-oh.”). At SBI, the Union fall one spot to no. 9 (…the club’s winless stretch is up to eight games at a time when every result matters more than the previous one. A win against the Crew would alleviate some fears that Philadelphia may be slipping out of the postseason altogether.”). They do the same in Soccer America’s rankings (“In back-to-back home games against two of the league’s weaker teams, the Union bagged just two points…the Union is clinging precariously to a playoff spot.”). At ESPN, the Union stay at no. 11 (“The Union win this week’s Jekyll and Hyde Award.”).
The eyes of all Union fans should be on tonight’s 7:30pm match between first place Columbus (40 points) and fourth place Houston (35 points, one point behind Philadelphia). This report says Houston will be relying on reserves while this report says Columbus will see the return of players who have been out from injury. Unfortunately, you’ll only be able to watch the game online.
With the release of the MLS Salary figures by the MLS Players Union on Monday, SB Nation’s Jeremiah Oshan names Juan Diego Gonzalez “the worst value in all of MLS.” He calls Veljko Paunovic—three goals and three assists in 883 minutes at $90,000 per year— “good value.” Oshan notes the Union average salary of $148,749.22 is fourth in the league, “have a league-leading 14 players making at least $100,000,” are sixth in the league in total salary at $3,569,981.17, which works out to a ninth in the league $99,166.14 per point.
Brian Carroll finally gets a profile at MLSsoccer.com. He says of the recent time off of the pitch due to injury, “It was extremely frustrating because there was nothing I could do. I just had to give it time and rest. Any time a player is as competitive as I am, you want to be back as soon as possible. You don’t want anything to limit what you do on the field.”
Jack McInerney and Roger Torres get their 24 Under 24 profiles. The “What the TDs and coaches cay” parts of the profiles are interesting.
Looking at the remaining seven games in the regular season, Unholy Union wonders if it is time to panic.
Philly Union Talk diagnoses the Union’s offensive woes as a “terminal case of SHOOTGODDAMMIT!”.
Colorado Rapids/MLS pool goalkeeper Chris Sharpe says Faryd Mondragon is an example of why more MLS clubs should consider using DP spots for goalkeepers. “I think using DP spots on goalkeepers is well worth it if you’re bringing in top class goalkeepers like [New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Frank] Rost and Mondragon.”
According to this idiot at the Bleacher Report, the reason Freddy Adu hasn’t lived up to the hype that surrounded him being proclaimed the greatest player in America at the age of 14 is his mom.
Michael Orozco Fiscal tells MLSsoccer.com of his experience playing with the Union in MLS, “You learn a lot. MLS is a little bit more physical, you run a lot. I’ve improved in every aspect.”
Bob Rigby will be appearing at the Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum in Chadds Ford on Monday, Sept. 26 from 11am to 1pm
Independence
Philadelphia Independence forward and WPS Player of the Year Veronica Boquette has signed with Russian side FC Energiya Voronezh.
Soon to be playing in Spain for Espanyol, Independence midfielder Joanna Lohman talks to Potomac Soccer Wire about the transient live style of the women’s professional soccer player. “It’s just a factor in this league, the fact that it may not be around for very long. It’s a sad statement to make, but it’s an accurate statement, because a lot of teams have folded already…I think you always have to have a plan B when it comes to the WPS. If you’re smart, you do have a plan B, and just try and take it one day at a time. Unfortunately you can’t sign contracts for $20 million—usually you’re signing one-year contracts and once that contract’s over, you’re probably going to a new team or a new city, and it’s a very transient lifestyle.…You can’t really buy a house, you can’t set up a life necessarily in one city. But that also makes it exciting.”
WNY Flash striker Christine Sinclair will skip Canada’s friendlies with the USWNT on September 17 and 22. She tweeted, “I am enjoying my 1st break in 2 years so I can be 100% for olympic qualifiers. Will meet up with nat team in oct.”
Local
Sellersville-native and Princeton junior forward Jen Hoy has been named Ivy League Player of the Week.
The Inquirer rounds up Southeastern PA boys’ and girls’ notes and does the same for South Jersey boys’ and girls’. PA boys’ results roundup here.
MLS
LA Galaxy lost away 2–1 to Mexican side Morelia in CONCACAF Champions League play. Colorado Rapids were whipped at home 4–1 by Mexican side Santos Laguna.
It looks unlikely that Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero will be ending his career in MLS. The 36-year-old told Sky Italia, “For now, I just go to the USA on holiday. I have never thought about going over there as a player.”
The New York Times takes a look at the use of statistics in MLS.
Elsewhere
Sepp Blatter has called reports that he will step down early from the FIFA presidency “pure nonsense.”
Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney is Britain’s answer to Pele. Good one, Fergie, good one.
After earlier being cleared of charges that his pitchside assault on Celtic manager Neil Lennon was motivated by religious prejudice, Hearts supporter John Wilson has been found guilty of breach of the peace. He was sentenced to eight months in jail and banned from attending any football match in the UK for five years.
Liverpool striker Nathan Eccleston is being investigated by his club after he sent out a tweet on the tenth anniversary of 9/11 in which he claims the Illuminati were responsible for the attacks, not terrorists. I…I am not even going to comment.
Great Champions League matches yesterday! Incredible goals by Porto’s (the) Hulk, Barcelona’s Villa and Dortmund’s Perisic. Was nicely summarized during a 1/2hr hilight show on FSC+ around 10.30pm last night. Looking forward to a great CL season!!!
“I saw my mate the other day
he said to me he saw the white pele
so I asked who is he
he goes by the name of wayne rooney
wayne rooney wayne rooney
he goes by the name of wayne rooney”
Thanks for sharing the SB Nation article on MLS salaries. Good stuff in there, but it once again begs the question, does JDG have pictures of Peter Nowak snorting lines of cocaine off the belly of a prostitute? Why is this guy still on the team???
In FIFA 11 he was a relatively decent center back…that translates flawlessly to real life, right?