Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
It finally happened.
After two years and 78 shows, Philadelphia Union’s manager has finally appeared on KYW’s Philly Soccer Show.
It only took John Hackworth one week to do it.
Granted, Hackworth has been on the show before, and he was originally scheduled to appear the week former manager Peter Nowak got fired. (The Union postponed, quite understandably.)
Still, it’s yet the latest sign of just how different the Union will be under Hackworth.
The PSP crew used to joke that the show would feature every other MLS coach before Nowak. We got through seven before Nowak was fired last week. We even went through nearly an entire roster’s worth of Union players too. (See below for the lists.)
But now, finally, KYW and PSP have the Union manager on the show, as Greg Orlandini and Eli Pearlman-Storch chatted Thursday with Hackworth.
In part one, Hackworth talks candidly about moving up from being an assistant to his longtime friend Peter Nowak, and what it was like to take over after the team and Nowak parted ways. He says the team will try and play a more open style of soccer and give opportunities to some players who haven’t had the chance to compete this year.
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In part two, Greg and Eli look ahead to the Union’s home game against Sporting KC. “Sporting” sits second in the Eastern Conference and a full 21 points ahead of the Union. But they are coming off a very tough and physical match in Seattle, and now have to play in front of what will likely be a PPL Park full of the Union faithful.
The pod also looks ahead to the Union’s US Open Cup quarter-final match against Harrisburg City Islanders.
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Past Philly Soccer Show guests
Current MLS coaches
- Sigi Schmid, Seattle
- Frank Yallop, San Jose
- Robert Warzycha, Columbus
- John Spencer, Portland
- Dominic Kinnear, Houston
- Peter Vermes, Kansas City
- Ben Olsen, DC United
Current/former Union players
- Chandler Hoffman (twice)
- Sheanon Williams (twice)
- Sebastien Le Toux
- Keon Daniel
- Danny Mwanga (twice)
- Amobi Okugo (twice)
- Michael Farfan
- Freddy Adu
- Brian Carroll
- Jordan Harvey
- Kyle Nakazawa
- Danny Califf (twice)
- Justin Mapp
- Zac MacMath
- Alejandro Moreno
- Michael Orozco Fiscal
- Shea Salinas
- Chris Seitz
(Note: The show has featured numerous other guests too, like Alexi Lalas, Kasey Keller, Taylor Twellman, Nick Sakiewicz, Bobby Convey, and others. To see and listen to them, click here.)
Great interview with Hackworth!! What a nice fresh approach! Problem is that he ‘hopes’ that the boys will step up and score… May happen but what we need is a clinical goal scorer; is becoming clearer and clearer. Also becoming clearer that Pajoy was the wrong choice.
Great interview with the new coach! I know that i said a month ago or so somewhere on the PSP that i could not handle any more of the negativity (mentioned in this podcast) coming from the UNION, along with so much negativity happening in my life right now (Soccer should NEVER be so negative!). I’m glad to hear things seem to FINALLY be turning around! Going to the game tomorrow (first one in too long) should snap me out this UNION funk that i have had since the end of last season. It feels good to feel good about this team again 🙂
Hack’s a rockstar! GREAT interview guys…