Daily news roundups

Williams says Boston will bounce back, SI puts Mac in Gold Cup picture, Kleberson feels good, a Philly future for Califf, more

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Boston

Following reports of two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon came word that New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis’ father-in-law was among those injured. Members of the Revolution and the Boston Breakers in attendance at the race and have all been accounted for.

Messages of support from the US soccer community for those affected by the explosions quickly appeared on Twitter.

Boston-based soccer writer Kyle McCarthy wrote, “We—as Bostonians, a group that encompasses a wide swath of territory located well outside city limits right now—dig deep in times of crisis and show the depth of our character, our defiance and our fortitude…This is still our marathon. This is still our city. And we will not let the wretched perpetrators of this act take either of those things from us.”

Boston-native Sheanon Williams said, “I know my city will bounce back.”

Philadelphia Union

At SI, Avi Creditor puts Jack McInerney in the early discussion for league MVP and says, “He appears to have no problem taking the weight of his team on his shoulders and is making a push for a place on this summer’s U.S. Gold Cup roster.”

Whatever the disappointment in not winning Saturday’s comeback draw, the consensus among the Union’s core of young veterans is a positive one: the game is one that the club would have lost last year and that is progress. Sheanon Williams said, “I do think last year we probably would have lost that game. We lost a lot of close games. And it’s a long season, so we’ll take the point. We’ll see them two more times and we’ll play a lot better than that. This is a different team this season and we’ll take it and go on from this point.”

The takeaways from the latest Inside Doop are the Union not finishing chances, whether the blossoming partnership between Conor Casey and Jack McInerney could mean a diminished role for Sebastien Le Toux, and whether Kleberson has done enough to start against DC United on Sunday.

Kleberson said of his debut on Saturday, “It felt good. I would have liked to have helped even more if that was possible. The moment I went in, the game was very physical and it was very tough. As time goes on, I know for sure that I can help a lot.”

Kleberson made a point to commend the Union fans. “It was a great environment and a great atmosphere. I really enjoyed the Union chants and how they helped us tie the game. Hopefully next time, we can get a victory for them.”

David Murphy heard the soccer gods laughing during the Union’s draw against Toronto but concludes “a lot of good that came out of this contest,” some bad luck aside.

Power rankings! At Soccer America, the Union fall one spot to No. 9. At SI and Goal.com, the Union remain at No. 11. ESPN moves the Union down a peg to No. 11

Union Dues has some very unconvincing explanations for a few of the many questionable refereeing decisions in Saturday’s game from an unidentified member of the officiating crew.

Danny Califf said of his reception from the fans on Saturday, “It was amazing. The only part of the fairy tale that was missing was the part on the field. It felt like home. It felt like I was coming home and it was just really, really cool.”

Califf added, “As far as you can make plans in this game, I think as far as my family goes, (Philadelphia is in our plans). I think we’ll end up here in some capacity in the future. But right now I’m focused on trying to win in Toronto and do what I can to help us win games. But I think the future is going to end up in Philadelphia.”

Union trainer Kevin Miller continues his Goal Oriented fitness series.

And there’s this from new Bahia coach Joel Santana’s first press conference:

Asked at a press conference about Adu’s remark that Santana spoke good English, the Brazilian asked who the reporter was talking about. Informed by the club press officer the reporter was referring to Adu, Santana asked, “We have a gringo here?”

Local

Upper 90’s Derek Meluzio rounds up reports from Harrisburg City Islanders season opening win in Pittsburgh while The Sports ‘Burger has a report of their own.

Cristhain Hernandez’ game-winning assist for Harrisburg gets a shout-out in this roundup of how MLS loanees fared in USL PRO play over the weekend.

MLS

The Union and its fans may take some consolation from Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik being named player of the week at SBI and ProSoccerTalk.

Brad Davis has been named North American Soccer Reporters Player of the Week.

Kansas City are waiting to hear if Norwich want to make Kei Kamara’s loan permanent.

Columbus Crew legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto wants Robbie Rogers to return to the game.

The Guardian has five things learned from the weekend’s games while ProSoccerTalk has a quick-hit review.

The weekend’s games saw a slight rise in the attendance average.

NWSL

At ProSoccerTalk, Richard Farley has three questions for NWSL director Cheryl Bailey following the new league’s opening weekend.

The quality of the livestreams of the opening games was by all accounts terrible.

More on the weekend’s games from SBI and ProSoccerTalk.

US

US U-17 coach Richie Williams says his team must keep their heads up after being eliminated from U-17 World Cup qualification for the first time in the history of the tournament. “We’re extremely proud of our players. We believe they have great futures ahead of them. One game is not going to define their career.”

ASN notes the widespread questions about the leadership and tactical ability of Williams following the U-17’s exit.

US Soccer Players remembers “The Shot Hear ‘Round the World,” Paul Caligiuri’s 1989 winner against Trinidad & Tobago that would see the US at their first World Cup since 1950.

 

7 Comments

  1. I was actually thinking about attendance recently. It seems like attendance for every non Portland/Seattle game looked really bad.

    • OneManWolfpack says:

      Yeah I agree. All around the league it looks worse than last year. Hopefully as the weather gets better, the crowds come out.

  2. I’ve noted that during the three Union games that I’ve attended at PPL Park this season so far they have announced the PAID attendance not the gate attendance. At the last match even some of the seats at the River End were empty. Yet when I go on line the seat are sold out. I get that business wise the Union wants to sell out the seats and by Paid attendance they’re not doing badly. As a fan, I want to fill the house when OUR, UNION PLAYS at PPL PARK. The weather was great this last weekend. The first good weather the Union has had at home this year. Where were the fans? Price wise Union tickets have to be some of the best in Pro sports in the area and there not a bad seat in the house.

    • I know for me that if there is a Union home game and and I’m not working if I’m not there it is because as a non driver getting to PPL Park is a complete pain in the ass. s0metimes you just don’t want to spend the extra 2+ hours on the road just to see the Union lose. It’s annoying.

    • April (and May) is tough for families due to all the activities including spring soccer, little league, etc. being a founding member, this is pretty consistent with prior years.
      Personally i had to give my seats away since i was in EPYSA “D” class. I have no idea if anyone were in my seats.

  3. 4 PM starts are definately tough. SJGSL (girls) plays all of their games from U8 to U14 on Saturdays, with start times from 11:30 to 3:30 PM. We had to hustle to get to the stadium on time as well….

  4. Mac to the Gold Cup? I guess that means no Adu then, we have all seen Adu’s assist rate go to practially nothing with that Pahoy and JackMac combo in the past lol…. Jackmac is a POS. If you want a nice deflection goal i guess he is the man!

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