Daily news roundups / Featured

More Union signings, Union youth impressing at USMNT U23 camp, more nes

Philadelphia Union

The Union’s Central American pipeline continued to flow with the announcement this morning of the signing of 26-year-old Costa Rican left back Porfirio Lopez, one day after the announcement of the signing of Panamanian midfielder Gabriel Gomez and two weeks after the signing of Costa Rican forward Josue Martinez. Is this the best Christmas ever, or what?

While the signing of Lopez may render the subject moot, much of the discussion about the signing of Gabriel Gomez has centered on the possibility that he could slot into the Union’s defense, particularly at left back. So far, when it comes to his position, the official sources such as the Union and the league, describe him only in terms of being a central midfielder. CSN Philly suggests Gomez brings needed depth to the midfield “as it appears that Amobi Okugo will make the Olympic team, thereby missing significant time with the Union.”

SBI has good things to say about the Union players at the USMNT U-23 camp, where Caleb Porter seems to be favoring the 4–3–3. “Freddy Adu has shown the skill and experience you expect from him…Amobi Okugo looks to be a very strong candidate for playing time as a defensive midfielder…Jack McInerney…has definitely caught the eye of Porter. His mobility, tenacity and nose for goal make him a very intriguing prospect…Sheanon Williams…looked sharp…The goalkeeper position is stacked…with Zac MacMath looking like the second choice.”

McInerney says of playing with his Union team mates in the camp, “We get to play together every day, so we just carry things over from the Union trainings to here. We combine well and play well together. You get to meet new people, but it’s good to have people here that you’re comfortable with.”

Faryd Mondragon comes in second on MLSsoccer’s Transaction of the Year list. “It was no coincidence that the Philadelphia Union’s defense made a dramatic improvement upon the arrival of the Colombian veteran.” Yep.

Fred will face the Melbourne Victory, the team he was last with in the Australian A-League before he left for MLS, for the first time since his return to the league with his new team Melbourne Heart today for the Melbourne Derby. Apparently, Victory fans still love the former Union player.

Local

Dan Mannella, assistant coach of the La Salle women’s team, is the NCAA Mid-Atlantic region Assistant Coach of the Year.

La Salle College High’s Darius Madison is the Times Herald Player of the Year.

MLS

Pizza Hut is not renewing its sponsorship of FC Dallas. After Jan. 1, the team’s stadium will be called FC Dallas Stadium until a new sponsor is found.

In other Texas MLS stadium news, Houston’s new home is coming along nicely.

According to Andreas Ullmann, head of market intelligence at Cologne-based Sport+Markt AG, PSG can expect no more than $2 million in revenue from the sale of David Beckham jerseys if he signs with the club. “There may not be millions and millions to earn, but there is a tangible effect,” Ullman said. “At this stage in his career, you can’t compare his sporting impact to Messi or Ronaldo who will likely stay where they are for four or five years.”

WPS

The league announced on Wednesday that it will hold its 2012 Draft on Friday, January 12 in Kansas City. The draft will take place in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention.

US

The USWNT will play New Zealand in Dallas on February 11.

Elsewhere

Steven Goff does everyone a favor by laying out the major events on the 2012 soccer calendar.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed on Wednesday that it will prosecute Chelsea and England captain John Terry over allegations that he racially abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

Luis Suarez will appeal his eight-game ban after he was found guilty by the FA of racially insulting Patrice Evra. Liverpool has come under criticism after its players wore t-shirts supporting Suarez in the match against Wigan on Wednesday.

Jozy Altidore’s AZ Alkmaar was behind 1–0 to Ajax in Dutch Cup play on Wednesday when an Ajax fan ran on to the field and attacked the AZ keeper. The keeper defended himself by kicking the fan to the ground, where he kicked him again. The ref gave the goalkeeper a red card. The AZ coach then pulled his team from the field and the match was abandoned.

Finally, two pieces from the Guardian that are guaranteed to bring a few laughs into your day. First, this collection of French football quotes from 2011. Then, there’s The Fiver Christmas Awards 2012. Oh, Fiver, what would I do without you.

3 Comments

  1. That AZ-Ajax situation is ludicrous. The comment section on the article is well worth a read. We share this planet with some serious dumbasses.

  2. All I want(ed) for Christmas is my … 3 players whose last names end in “Z”. Thanks, Santa!

  3. Thanks for another informative web site. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal manner? I have a mission that I’m simply now working on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.

Leave a Reply to Beautiful handmade Blankets, Cardigans and Hair Accessories for babies, girls and adults Cancel

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*