Daily news roundups

“It was awesome”: Recaps & reaction to Union comeback win, more news

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

Well, it wasn’t pretty, but it’s nice to see the Union get the kind of win we’re all too used to seeing other teams win against them. Be sure to read PSP’s match recap.

John Hackworth said after the game, “I’m a little older after that one, for sure. “My heart’s going crazy. I might need a pressure test in a second, but a good result for us. These guys continue to dig down deep and surprise me every time.” He added, “I think you see the character of these players.”

Jack McInerney, who scored the game winner in the 90th minute, said, “From now on, every game is a playoff game for us. This season is a long way from over and we are approaching it that way. I know this sounds corny, but it really is one game at a time for us. I am just glad we were able to grind this one out and get a win.”

Sheanon Williams, who delivered a perfect cross for McInereny to head in for the winner, said of of McInerney’s leap into the River End in celebration, “Jack’s always coming out with the best celebrations. When he scored against the Revolution two years ago and he took off his shirt and he had that nice farmer’s tan, that was probably one of the better ones.”

Antoine Hoppenot, who said of McInerney’s goal, “It was awesome. There’s no other way to describe it,” praised the energy from the fans. “The best part about it are the fans know what’s happening and they’re savvy. They know that goals like that don’t happen every day and the energy from it was amazing. It’s great.”

Zac MacMath said of the New England goal, “I took a step where I thought it was going, and it dipped back in, and I tried to get a hand on it but didn’t have enough on it to get it out of the goal

Hackworth said of his team’s play, “We got away from our game in the first half, dumping far too many balls and playing much too direct, which is not the way we play and not the way we train.”

Match reports from MLSsoccer.com, the Union website, Daily News, the Inquirer, Sports Inq, Delco Times, CSN Philly, SBI, New England Soccer Today, the AP, Sports Network, Soccerway, SB Nation, Goal.com, and  ProSoccerTalk.

Goal.com examines the force of nature that goes by the name of Jack McInerney.

The Delco Times looks at the Union’s renaissance.

In case you missed the news, the 79th annual Army-Navy soccer game will be at PPL Park on September 30.

Olympics

US Women

The US Women put on a more dominant performance in their 3-0 win over Colombia in Saturday’s Olympic group play match. Check out PSP’s match recap. More from US Soccer (quote sheet here), Sporting News, Soccer America, and SI.

Abby Wambach said of Colombia’s Lady Andrade, who sucker punched the the US star, “It was a really terrible play.Dangerous and unsportsmanlike. I hope that FIFA will look at the play and decide if this is the kind of player they want in the Olympics.” Wambach added, much to my delight, “You think about all the things you would do on the street if someone sucker punches you and you have a list of all the things you would probably do, but this is the Olympics and I can’t risk getting a red card.”

The Daily Mail is outraged by the incident.

Wambach, who says the team still hasn’t peaked, broke the US women’s record for goals at the Olympics.

ESPN says Megan Rapinoe is sending a message.

Local lass Carli Lloyd scored again in the win. Here’s a look at the “Jersey girls” on the team.

Lloyd caused some security concerns when she posted a photo of her Olympics credential on Twitter. She has since removed the tweet.

Well, it wouldn’t be a high-profile tournament if Hope Solo wasn’t stirring up the pot. The US goalkeeper sent out a tweet on Saturday after the US win that called out broadcast commentator, shirt remover and former USWNT stalwart Brandi Chastain for comments that were critical of the US defense. More on the “controversy” here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

USA Today says Solo was wrong to criticize Chastain. And they are right. Chastain should be criticized for being a terrible color commentator who talks too much.

The Washington Post says Solo could learn a thing ot two from Chastain, which may be true but probably wouldn’t be as entertaining.

Here’s a profile of Christie Rampone, the sole remaining player on the roster from the 1999 World Cup-winning squad. She is awesome.

The US women couldn’t march in the opening ceremony because they had a game the next day. So, they decided to put on their official marching outfits and marched through their hotel instead. Even they can’t make those ridiculous berets look good.

More on hopes that US success at the Olympics will lead to the formation of a new women’s pro league.

Grant Wahl profiles Steve Shenbaum, the “team-building guru” who as been advising the USWNT.

Here’s a profile on Kari Seitz, the American referee at the Olympics.

USWNT legend Kristine Lilly gets a hometown profile.

Men’s Tournament

Everyone is talking about Spain’s elimination from medal contention after their defeat by MLS, I mean Honduras. Look for our Olympic roundup later this morning.

Local

Lehigh Valley’s FC Sonic are the NPSL National Champions after defeating Chattanooga FC 1-0 on Sunday.

Harrisburg City Islanders have kicked off a three-game home stand in their campaign to reach the playoffs with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles Blues on Saturday. The Patriot-News called the win Harrisburg’s most complete performance of the season so far. Morgan Langley had a goal and an assist.

MLS

In the Eastern Conference, Sunday’s 2-1 comeback win moved the Union ahead of New England into eighth place. First place New York was soundly beaten 3-1 on the road by seventh place Montreal. Houston moved into second place with a 2-0 win on the road over last place Toronto. Kansas City is in third place after losing 2-1 at home to sixth place Columbus. While fourth place DC played Paris Saint-Germaine in a friendly, fifth place Chicago conceded a goal in the 98th minute to draw 1-1 on the road with San Jose.

It may still be painful to see him in a Chivas uniform, but Danny Califf scored the game-winner against Portland with a lovely header.

In the aftermath of the Tim Cahill signing, Ives Galarcep looks at how the new SP rules are benefiting deep-pocket clubs like New York and LA.

It’s no MLS for Andriy Shevchenko. The Ukrainian has announced his retirement from the game so he can pursue a career in politics.

Women’s Soccer

On Saturday, Western New York Flash defeated Chicago Red Stars on penalty kicks to win the WPSL Elite League Championship.

9 Comments

  1. James "4-3-3" Forever says:

    What I am loving from our forwards is their ability and skill at finding space. Yes, they are being caught offsides more often. Yes, this game was full of questionable fouls, uncalled fouls, and general weirdness. But you know what? An offense needs to be in position to make that happen and the fact we have players capable of finding space and getting in behind is a great start.
    The midfield still needs to work on timing and we need to find space more consistently but there is a lot to like.

  2. Much overlooked is Jack Mac’s excellent work on the TV show “Suits.” He’s really good in that, too.

  3. the army-navy soccer game is a thing? i mean i assumed they played but…

  4. Hope Solo is a very seriously talented goal keeper. She is also a major tool.

  5. The US Olympic outfits are always horrendous. But it can’t be the Olympics if you can’t focus on things that have no sporting importance.

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