Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
He was the only head coach the Philadelphia Union have ever had, and now he and the team have parted ways.
The departure of Peter Nowak is the topic on this week’s KYW Philly Soccer Show. In part one, KYW’s Greg Orlandini and Philly Soccer Page writer El Pearlman-Storch discuss the timing of Nowak’s release and the promotion of his assistant, John Hackworth, as interim manager.
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In part two, Delco Time beat writer Chris Vito joins the pod. Greg, Eli and Chris get into some of the factors that lead to Nowak’s departure, including the team’s awful 2-7-2 record and the fact that Nowak reportedly applied for a coaching job with Hearts of the Scottish Premier League. The guys also look at the job ahead for Hackworth, who has been Nowak’s assistant since the franchise began.
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In part three Greg and Eli look ahead to the Union’s next opponent, DC United. Coach Hackworth will have his hands full with his first game in charge. United are the top team in the East with a high powered offense lead by the reigning MVP Dwayne De Rosario.
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Preferred Lineup vs DC United.
Def – Garfan and Valdes are set as LB and LCB, then it’s just a matter of Williams at RB or RCB, with either Okugo or Gaddis filling in. Personally I’d give Okugo the chance first.
Mid – I’m going with 4 in the midfield, in a diamond with Carroll and Adu in the front and back, as that’s where Adu is most effective. Marfan would play LM in front of his brother, with Herdling at RM.
For – Perlaza bc we have to see what he has, with Martinez on the right side.
First subs on in the second half would be Torres for Herdling and Hoppenot for Martinez, followed by Jack Mac for Perlaza.
I’m not a fan of Gomez and Pajoy is awful. We have to let our youth play now and see what they have, with Carroll/Valdes/Herdling as more calming influences.
Realistically I’ll be happy if we don’t see Pajoy, Daniel, Lahoud, or Gomez.
I’m kind of hoping for a 4-3-3…similar to how the USMNT came out for a couple of the friendlies.
straight backline: Williams (rb) – Okugo/Valdes (cb) -Garfan (lb)
midfield triangle: Carroll (cdm), Torres and Marfan (cam); or could start Gomez or Keon in place of torres to retain the spark off the bench in the second half. Plus torres may not be 100% fit either.
forwards: martinez (lw), adu (rw), and either perlaza or pajoy (cf). Perlaza for the same reasons you mentioned and pajoy because I’m just so used to being pissed off that he’s on the field and can’t imagine a U game without him at CF