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Gold medal at PPL, Adu on not starting, more news

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

USWNT Olympic gold medalist and Delran native Carli Lloyd will be at PPL Park for an autograph session before Wednesday night’s game against Columbus Crew (Toyota Plaza, 6:30pm–7:15pm).

Kevin Kinkead notes in his scouting report that the Crew attack is much improved with the additions of mid-season signings Jairo Arrieta and Federico Higuain. SI calls the attacking duo “one of the more explosive” in the league. The Argentinian Higuain, who made his Crew debut only nine days ago (and whose younger brother Gonzalo you may already be familiar with), was voted the MLS Player of the Week on Monday.

Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum, who before being subbed off at the half in Saturday’s 4–3 win over New England had stated every game, is expected to be available for Wednesday’s game at PPL.

Raymon Gaddis was named to ProSoccerTalk’s Team of the Week.

“It is what it is.” That’s how Freddy Adu described his eight minutes of playing time in the scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake. “Sure, it’s hard. But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do and help the team. Today was one of those days where I personally didn’t have a lot of minutes. But when I was in, I was just thinking about making something happen and creating chances. And I was able to do that. I was able to put them on their heels a little bit.”

The Inside Doop wonders when John Hackworth will begin giving more time to younger players as the Union’s playoff hopes become ever fainter.

The Guardian writes that Union fans “may have to settle for the stability John Hackworth brought post Peter Nowak, rather than a complete turnaround.”

In the latest power rankings, the Union remain at at No. 14 at Goal.com and No. 15 at Soccer America. At SI, the Union move up one spot to No. 15.

Union Dues reviews Friday’s draw with RSL and reports on the River Cup.

A man who was attacked in Lot C following the 2010 exhibition game against Chivas de Guadalajara has sued the Union and various other entities. Chester police believe the man’s assailant has fled to Mexico.

 Local

The Sports Burger reviews Harrisburg City Islanders season, now at an end following their defeat on Saturday by Charleston Battery in the USL PRO playoffs.

St. Jo’s men’s team lost 2–0 to NJIT on Monday evening.

The Penn men’s team have named senior midfielder Travis Cantrell and junior defender Johnny Dolezal as co-captains. The team begins the 2012 season at home on Friday when they host Lafayette.

The Ivy League men’s soccer season is previewed here.

Penn State is at No. 6 and La Salle at No. 22 in Soccer America’s women’s college soccer Top 25.

MLS

New England Revolution have acquired returning MLS All-Star Juan Toja via the allocation process.

Sporting Kansas City’s Teal Bunbury is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

Is KC’s Roger Espinosa heading to Wigan?

Given a general lack of playing time against experienced professionals, Soccer America wonders if the Homegrown Player system is a panacea or a black hole.

US

Grantland looks at how beIN Sport could change the American’s watch soccer on TV forever.

Soccer America talks with the head of NSCAA about the high school soccer ban for players on US Development Academy teams.

Hope Solo’s 85-year-old grandmother will play a goalkeeper in an upcoming short film on Bravo.

Elsewhere

Michael Garcia, appointed along with Hans-Joachim Eckert as joint chairmen of FIFA’s Ethics Committee, says he will investigate the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively.

The Daily Mail reports that Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka could soon be sold by Shanghai Shenhua “due to an escalating equity stake row among shareholders.”

At the Guardian, Jonathan Wilson looks at the return of the back three.

Neil Armstrong brought along an Independiente pennant on Apollo 11. How cool is that?

At Goal.com, Leander Schaerlaeckens recounts the sad tale of Jean-Marc Bosman.

 

8 Comments

  1. After five years, I’ve never been less interested in this team than I am right now.

  2. So HCI’s season is done. Where is the next Sheanon Williams? Also, red rover red rover, bring Anelka or Drogba over.

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

    This is a dream formation and lineup, something that won’t ever happen but if our goal really was to play the young guys and looks towards next year, I would line them up like this:
    4-1-3-2
    Jack – Hoppenot
    Garfan – Adu – Marfan
    Okugo
    Gaddis – Soumare – Valdes – Williams

    With my eyes during the offseason on these positions: a real LB, a more complete CAM, and a bigger hold up striker. No 35 year old DPs ready to retire, though.
    As for Marfan at wing, I’m sorry but that just seems like his best position. Taking players on, having the option to cut inside or send in the cross. He looks fine at CAM too but he plays his best when given the chance to run at players.

    • You might need to change your name…
      Absolutely agree regarding Marfan. He is our Ribery/Robben and is most effective attacking on the wing.
      I’m fine with Garfan as a LB (think poor man’s Marcelo, except Garfan is much taller)
      I favor a similar 4-2-3-1 with 2 true CMs since it would make our outside backs (Sheanon/Garfan) more mobile up the pitch, while not giving up anything defensively. If executed correctly it would create 4 pivot points around the middle of the pitch that would free up space on attacks.

      • James "4-3-3" Forever says:

        I think Garfan is a matter of how much better it makes the team overall. He has done a pretty great job learning a hard position and not being a massive liability. On the other hand, none of our winger options impress at all – and Garfan still displays some great attacking ability on the wing. Freeing him up to play offense will make that side of the attack better, while bringing in a legit LB (even a DP) would shore up that side of the defense. It’s an upgrade at two positions.

      • DarthLos117 says:

        Arise Darth James “4-1-3-2 for NOW”

  4. ESPN also bumped the U up one spot from 13th to 12th.

  5. Anelka or Drogba. Either one is fine with me. Doesn’t have to be both.

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