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MOF scores for USA in historic win, news from Union presser, more

Mexico 0–1 USA

Former Union defender Michael Orozco Fiscal scored the lone goal in the USA’s 1–0 win over Mexico, their first ever win over El Tri on Mexican soil in 25 tries over 75 years. He is only the fifth American to score on Mexico in ten games at the Azteca. Look for our report later this morning.

Orozco Fiscal said, “The goal was for the U.S. fans and the whole U.S. We made history.”

He continued, “This means a lot to me because my parents are Mexican, but I was born in the U.S., but since Day One I’ve chose to defend the U.S. and I’ve done it with honor and a lot of respect to the country. One thing that gives me the strength is that my family is always beside me. It’s a play that you’re right in front of the goal and in the blink of an eye you can make a difference and today, that was the difference…It means a lot of honor. It’s a lot of respect to the country, we’re making history today. I dedicate this to my family because they’re always behind me 110 percent. Now, we’ve got to improve ourselves day-by-day.”

The Press of Atlantic City describes why it is fitting that Orozco Fiscal was the won who scored the winner.

Jurgen Klinsmann said, “I think [this win] is important for us to understand that we can compete with big teams at their stadiums. t’s like playing at Wembley against England. It’s like playing at the Stade de France. Or playing in Berlin. Those are very special occasions. I want the players to take it all in because you never know if you’ll get another occasion like that. That’s what we told the players: ‘You have nothing to lose here. Give it all you have.'”

More on the game from MLSsoccer.com, Sporting News, Goal.com, ProSoccerTalk, SI, SBI, SB Nation, CONCACAF, and The AP.

Player ratings from MLSsoccer.com, Soccer America, ESPN, Goal.com, New England Soccer Today, and SI.

Philadelphia Union

At Wednesday’s press conference, John Hackworth said of the Union’s recent stumbles, “I think it’s a little bit of a lack of concentration. I think guys took their foot off the gas a little bit against Montreal and Sunday against Chicago. We can’t do that. We have to realize that those are critical moments in a match and we try to emphasize that through training and through our discussions.”

Hackworth also talked about how to fit Bakary Soumare into the lineup. “[T]o give Baky a start, he has to earn it. He has to be better than the guys that are playing in front of him currently, and both Carlos and Amobi have been very good. So that would’ve been a challenge for Baky to do. But the thought is also that Baky is going to be one of our most important players, and that will mean that ultimately we have to move Amobi back to midfield at some point. If we go with a first-choice team at this point, I think Carlos and Amobi are in there.”

Hackworth said of moving Okugo back into the midfield, “Amobi and I talk all the time and he knows he’s been very valuable as a center back. For the last two months, that’s where he’s played. He hasn’t even been back in the midfield even in training. If we do decide to go that route, we have to make sure it’s the right decision. We will test that out in training and make sure we’re confident about that move before we do it.”

Okugo said, “[Moving back to the midfield] has been discussed but we’ve been focused on playing well and staying consistent. We’re focused on the team over my position or where I’m going to play.” He added, “I’d be grateful to get an opportunity to play in the midfield, since that’s where I played for the majority of my career.”

For his part, Soumare says, “I am ready to go. This is a great organization and I wanted to do everything I can to help out. Hopefully, I’ll be out there. I’m going to work extremely hard all week to prepare.”

So, is Hackworth still thinking playoffs? “I’m not not thinking about the playoffs,” he said. “Right now, I still want to compete with that idea in mind. If we go down and get three points at D.C. United, we are right back in the playoff race, depending on what some other teams do.”

Speaking of the playoffs, Union Tally has three suggestions that could lead the Union there.

Hackworth said at the press conference that Carlos Valdes, Gabriel Gomez, and Keon Daniel will all be available for Sunday’s game in DC. MLSsoccer.com has a Spanish language piece on Carlos Valdes with the Colombian National Team in Spain (crappy translation here). Faryd Mondragon was also called up.

Gabriel Gomez was shown a straight red in the 49th minute in Panama’s 2–0 loss to Portugal (video here). Keon Daniel played the full 90 in Trinidad & Tobago’s 2–0 loss to Canada.

KYW 1060 talks to Raymon Gaddis, who says of playing in the pros, “Biggest adjustment probably has to be just staying focused through and through. Forwards at the next level are a lot more clinical, and they will finish the chances when they get them.  So you have to be even more aggressive and keep your head on a swivel as a defender.”

Princeton’s Town Topics talks to Antoine Hoppenot about adjusting to being a professional. Hoppenot says of playing for the Union, “I have been to a lot of Union games as a fan. It was perfect for me. I was close to home and my parents could see me play.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s match in DC, Dwayne De Rosario, who missed United’s last game with a shoulder injury, tells the Washington Post that he “definitely” will play against the Union.

Chicago Fire captain Logan Pause is out four-to-six weeks after suffering two broken ribs and a collapsed lung in a collision with Bakary Soumare in last Sunday’s game at PPL Park.

Local

Drexel women’s soccer players Eve Badana and Biz Matta have been named to the Colonial Athletic Association’s Preseason All-Conference Team.

As we described in Tuesday’s news roundup, quite a few players with local connections made bot the men’s and women’s lists.

MLS

In midweek Eastern Conference play, seventh place Columbus Crew drew 1–1 with LA and last place Toronto conceded late for a 2–2 draw with Portland. Danny Mwanga did not travel with Portland.

The Shin Guardian looks at the impact of the new tie-break rules on the playoff race.

More on why it might be a good idea to temper the expectations that a $300 million soccer stadium in Queens is imminent. The New York Times has more on the story.

Union Dues recaps and grades the trades made during the summer transfer window.

US

The USWNT’s 2012 Victory Tour will include a friendly against Australia on Sept. 19 in Denver. Some 10,000 tickets have already been sold for the friendly against Costa Rica in Rochester on Sept. 1.

Grant Wahl wonders if the USWNT’s gold medal win will translate into a better CBA.

Abby Wambach gets the TMZ treatment.

Using a “a fairly random e-mail poll of a panel of soccer experts” Soccer News Net says the USWNT’s Olympic semifinal win over Canada wasn’t the greatest women’s game of all-time, the 1999 World Cup Final win over China was. What’s that, three of the people poled were part of the 1999 team? Whatev.

So, how’s Tim Ream doing in Bolton? Read on.

Elsewhere

Robin Van Persie now belongs to Manchester United.

Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed on the pitch from cardiac arrest when with Bolton five months ago, has retired from football.

8 Comments

  1. That MOF quote made me proud. That is a guy who knows what it means to pull on the shirt. I’ve questioned his selection with the team, but if that is the attitude he brings, it is tough to argue.

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

    Man, if I could instill one skillset onto a Union player, I would make MacMath sit down and learn from Howard for a week. The way Howard just completely marshals his backline and takes command the entire defense is a joy to watch.
    MacMath still presents himself like a 21 year old back there. In a bad way.

  3. Eli Pearlman-Storch says:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8kRDHvsbks 45 seconds in for Gomez’s little indiscretion…

  4. It was not the most beautiful play, but if Spain had made it, everyone would be genuflecting. Good on our guys. Nice job. I absolutely cannot fathom playing at that altitude. I got winded just running a block to catch the bus in Aspen.

    • If Spain had done it they probably would have managed to make it attractive. But whatever works.

      • You are right, of course, but I think it really was a good play.
        Shea beat his man then cut the ball back very nicely.
        The cross wrong-footed Boyd, but instead of making a meal out of it, he controlled and distributed it.
        MOF was off-balance but still plopped it in.
        It is pretty terrific to see those guys score against that team in that way. I thought the two possible outcomes for the US were 1. lose and 2. lose badly.

  5. I think we have to start Saomare. He for the moment will be a downgrade from Okugo but the only way he will get better is if he plays and considering how our midfield is playing he will probably bring some improvements there.

    Wait you said Saomare broke 2 of dudes ribs and collapsed his lung? Damn he is a big boy.

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