Daily news roundups

Further reactions to offseason moves, bits and bobs

All of us at PSP hope you had a Happy Christmas and are recovering well from the excitements of the day. Here’s a brief news roundup to look at in between naps and one of the Boxing Day games from England on Fox Soccer Channel.

Philadelphia Union

The Goalkeeper projects various Union starting XI’s depending on different scenarios (attacking formation, defensive formation, departures for the Olympics), starting with the basic assumption that most (if not all) of the recent signings will automatically start, and looks at what this could mean to players who were on the 2011 roster.

JP Dellacamera evaluates the Union’s recent offseason signings and suggests the team may add another option up front and someone to give the defense more depth.

CSN Philly writes of the need to find some solution to the problem of exceeding the league roster rules for the number of international players, “And though it is a worry, with the new group of internationals now in their armory, how to fit them on the roster is a good problem to have for the Union and one they will gladly take on.”

The Brotherly Game evaluates the Union’s offseason (so far).

Sebastien Le Toux’s flash mob dancer goal celebration came in second in MLSsoccer.com’s Celebrations of the Year list.

The recent deal with Goldenberg Candy Company isn’t news but this report includes a picture of Goldenberg’s very cool old VW bus, which is sure to be sighted at PPL Park.

Local blog Union Dues has relaunched with a new look.

Local

The Mercury names Boyerstown’s Chad Craig as its All-Area Player of the Year.

MLS

MLSsoccer.com calls the 10-game suspension of Brian Mullen the Controversy of the Year.

SB Nation has a top-ten holiday wish list for the league.

The Empire of Soccer wonders if a Thierry Henry loan to Arsenal is the right move for all involved.

Brad Friedel singles out Brian Strauss of the Sporting News for manufacturing the controversy out of Friedel remarks about Landon Donovan in a recent interview. Donovan’s loan to Everton starts this week.

Charlie Davies is headed back to Sochaux.

US

The Washington Post has an interesting article looking at the sometimes difficult choice of what international team the child of an immigrant family should play for.

Elsewhere

The day after Christmas, Boxing Day, means games aplenty in England. ESPN looks back to Boxing Day 1963 when it was also goals aplenty—66 in ten matches.

Barcelona’s David Villa is out of the hospital following surgery on his leg, broken at the Club World Cup.

2 Comments

  1. I really appreciate the Goalkeeper’s writings and point of view…I dont always agree (no suprise there I assume)…quality journalism.

  2. The Goalkeeper claims Mapp was a 2-way winger. I don’t remember him making a tackle this season. I would prefer wings of Michael Farfan and Keon Daniel, or if Daniel isn’t back, of both Farfans.

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