Daily news roundups

Nameplates removed, Valdes & Gomez called up, more news

Photo: Barb Colligon

Philadelphia Union

Kerith Gabriel notes in the latest Daily Doop that exit interviews and physicals began on Wednesday at the Union. Without disclosing any names, Gabriel writes, “No real drama to report except I can say that a couple nameplates that were once over locker room stalls have been removed.” Tease.

We tweeted yesterday the news that Carlos Valdes and Gabriel Gomez have been called up by their national teams for the Nov. 14 international date. Valdes will be with Colombia when they face Brazil at MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands while Gomez will be with Panama when they host Spain in Panama City. Gabriel adds, “hearing rumblings that another Union player is set to join a national team camp, but waiting on confirmation.”

In his blog post at Goal.com, Valdes says, “I reiterate my commitment to the Philadelphia Union.” (Crappy Google translation here.)

At CSN Philly, Ryan Bright considers the uncertainty of Freddy Adu’s future with the Union.

Meanwhile, an article in defense of Adu (re-tweeted by him) says, “Many American soccer fans seem to judge Freddy Adu with the same illogical criterion with which Jürgen Klinsmann judges him: only total domination merits a roster spot…Even if the Philadelphia Union’s coaches have left Adu on the bench or off the game day roster on several occasions, these were decisions made by coaches Peter Nowak and John Hackworth, whose coaching abilities have been questioned by many. These coaching mistakes do not change the fact that Adu has an advanced technical skill-set as a playmaker.”

Kevin Kinkead rounds up some numbers from the 2012 season.

Dave Zeitlin talks to Union Homegrown players Jimmy McLaughlin and Zach Pfeffer. McLaughlin, who had his league debut in the recent loss against Kansas City, and Pfeffer, who had his season debut in the closing minutes of the season ending loss to New York, both understand that patience is the key as a Homegrown player. Said Pfeffer, “Everything has to go in perspective, given my age, the situation I’m in and other guys on the team. But whether it’s this year, next year or the year after that, I definitely believe I can be a starter in this league. That’s part of the process of being a young player and being patient. You just have to wait your turn.”

The Union has partnered with Independence Blue Cross Foundation to launch the “Healthy Futures” initiative.

Apparently the Union-themed El Jimador bottles are proving to be a hit. An El Jimador rep tells PSP that they’ve had to increase the inventory at ten area state stores.

Local

The La Salle women’s team defeated Charlotte 2–0 to advance to the semifinals of the A-10 championship.

There are several possible scenarios, but for the University of Pennsylvania women’s team, the bottom line is clear: They must defeat Princeton on Saturday if they are to lay at least a partial claim to the Ivy League championship.

La Salle College defeated Archbishop Ryan 3–0 on Thursday to claim their second straight Philadelphia Catholic League title.

Reading United’s Pedro Ribeiro, who plays his college soccer at Coastal Carolina, is profiled at SBI.

At Pennlive.com, Derek Meluzio has an update on where current and former Harrisburg City Islanders are playing during the 2012-13 indoor season.

MLS

LA Galaxy came from behind to defeat Vancouver Whitecaps 2–1 in Thursday night’s Western Conference knockout game. LA will now host San Jose in the first game of their conference semifinal series on Sunday (9pm, ESPN).

The Galaxy won the game off of a penalty kick goal from Landon Donovan, which resulted from a stunning flop by the US national team captain.

In other semifinal action, Seattle host Real Salt Lake tonight (10pm, NBCSN), DC host New York on Saturday (8pm, NBCSN), and Houston host Kansas City on Sunday (3:30pm, NBC).

ESPN profiles Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes.

At SB Nation, Jeremiah Oshan believes the league should have been better prepared for the possibility that Red Bulls Arena could be rendered unusable by Hurricane Sandy.

US

More on the hints from Landon Donovan that he might be about to step away from the game.

Jurgen Klinsmann says, “Whatever happens we will always adjust to it. We will put the strongest team we have into it and slowly develop our team heading into the World Cup down the road.”

Donovan has been named to the preliminary roster for the Nov. 14 friendly against Russia. Klinsmann said, Landon is always in our roster or especially the preliminary roster that we have to send out to clubs two weeks in advance. And then now it’s depending on his playoff situation. He’s always in our plans, absolutely.”

Jonah Friedman writes, “Now it’s time to go find someone new. The longer Landon Donovan is held up as the model, the longer it will take us all to realize there will never be another Landon Donovan.”

Klinsmann spoke to reporters on a wide range of other topics on Thursday. You can read a transcript of his comments here.

At The Shin Guardian, former PSP contributor Maura Gladys takes a look at newly appointed USWNT coach Tom Sermanni.

Elsewhere

For listing’s of the week’s upcoming live games on your TV and online, check out the latest Footy on the Telly.

The Court of Arbitration for Sports has dismissed former FIFA executive and president of the Asian Football Confederation president Mohammed Bin Hammam’s appeal of the ban issued against him by FIFA.

Soccer America looks at the “sad—and sadly predictable” demise of FIFA Task Force Football 2014.

12 Comments

  1. I’m kind of annoyed that they havent come out with the players that have been released. Is there any reason they are keeping that information under wraps?

    • Perhaps they are waiting until all interviews have been completed, and/or giving players time to get their personal stuff in order before making it public. That would make sense in the short term, anyway.

  2. Re: Adu. I agree Klinsmann’s call ups are inconsistent and Adu seems to be unfairly judged. For example, Brek Shea had a pretty bad year yet when he was called up. Klinsmann mentioned calling him up to keep his head up – since when is the NT coach supposed to be a psychologist? And let’s not mention questionable call ups like Gordon or Fiscal.
    As a Union fan I want him gone and don’t see why so many people think we did him wrong. But I can see the other side.

    • All coaches are psychologists it is part of the skill set. How else do you try and get the best out of your players.

      • Eli Pearlman-Storch says:

        Alan Gordon had the vital assist to beat Antigua and MOF scored a goal that, although a friendly, beat Mexico at the Azteca for the first time ever. I’m not a huge Klinsmann supporter, but on those two, its hard to find fault.

  3. Is Carlos Bocanegra (US National team captain) now playing for the Galaxy? 🙂 Has anyone noticed that the last 7 MLS playoff games (starting with the Union loss in Houston last season) have been won by either LA or Houston? That should change with Seattle – RSL tonight, but an unusual streak while it lasted.

  4. I got issue with the Adu article and his re-tweet of said article. I reeks of deperation. It’s like he is seeking to convince us he is better than we think he is or has been. Dude shut up and show us, show the USA, MLS that you can run with ballers.

    • My first thought when I saw that he retweeted an article praising himself and one that bashes his former, current and hopefully future coaches is “What a douche.”

      • If that’s the case, it doesn’t appear that he is going to be around for much longer. Or at least not going to be playing at all. I have a feeling they are going to “lock” him out. So, if he wants to play ball he has to transfer out.

  5. My guess is witkowski, Jordan, Lopez are gone. Maybe Gomez.

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