Photo: Michael Long

Philadelphia Union

John Hackworth said after the Union’s first-ever win in DC, “The execution was fantastic. From Jack finishing two and Conor scoring, it was a day we took care of business in front of goal. And that was really good to see.”

Hackworth continued, “Our team is growing up,” adding, “I think we have matured and we are tougher now, and I like us that way.”

Hackworth also said, “It’s a huge three points. It’s on the road and it’s in a place in which we’ve never won before and that is massive for us. A little bit of a crazy game, but you would expect nothing else coming down here and having these two teams play. I thought we did some really good things, we didn’t hold [the lead] the way I would have wanted us…but we have three points here and that’s huge.”

One guy who’s growing up but quick is Jack McInerney, who scored a first half brace. McInerney said after the game, “I was kind of hoping I would get three tonight. But if I keep scoring every game, it means we are probably winning—and the goal is to make the playoffs.”

Hackworth had particular praise for McInerney’s first goal. “Probably the most impressive thing is he slowed the ball up and cut the ball back. On the bench, we were saying, ‘Why is he slowing it up?’ It looked like he had a step on them. But Jack is capable of those kind of goals. I know everyone says he’s a tap-in player but he has a big arsenal in his bag. He can certainly hurt you from distance and hurt you in different ways and he showed that today.”

Conor Casey, who tallied a goal as well, said of the blossoming partnership with McInerney, “It’s still early in the year, but when you’re scoring goals it comes easy,” adding, “I think it’s even going to get better as we continue to play together.”

Casey said of McInerney, “He’s been on fire. He’s playing really well and taking his chances. He’s a very instinctive goalscorer, creating chances out of nothing. When you’re scoring goals, it’s coming easy, and right now, it’s coming very easy for him. It’s great.”

Casey also said, “I think that there are a lot of very hungry guys on this team in general. It is a young team, but they play with chips on their shoulders’ and want to prove something. That is a good thing for this team.”

Hackworth said of Casey, “He’s the player. He’s the dimension that we haven’t had. And not only does he do it with his back to goal, he finishes a great chance, but he’s defending on restarts and all those little things…I’m not surprised because I always believed that he could do that. I’ve seen him do it a number of times. I’m just happy he’s doing it for the Philadelphia Union now.”

Hackworth read a quote from DC goalkeeper Bill Hamid in which he guaranteed a United win. Amobi Okugo said, “That was a big motivating factor. A lot of us know Bill from prior youth national teams, so we know how fiery he can get. That’s typical Bill. Guaranteeing stuff that didn’t happen.”

A Sheanon Williams throw-in set up McInerney’s second goal. Williams said, “This year on set pieces, we’re dangerous. We’ve got some big bodies in there, Conor, Amobi. And we’ve got Chicharito (McInerney) over there on the back post who’s poaching all the time, so it’s been good. It’s something that we want to treat as a set piece, and it’s been working out for us.”

Sebastien Le Toux, Kleberson, and Roger Torres all made the gameday roster and all three remained on the bench. Hackworth said, “But that’s indicative of our team. We have a lot more depth now, we have choices, and when a game dictates a certain change, we’re able to bring in a guy off the bench that can do that. Certainly Kléberson was a thought, and we talked about it a lot on the bench, but it wasn’t the right opportunity to bring him in the game.”

Match reports and recaps from PSP, MLSsoccer.com, PhiladelphiaUnion.com, Daily News, The Inquirer, Delco Times, CSN Philly, Union Tally (postgame quotes), Philly Soccer News, Brotherly Game, Union Dues, DC United.com, Washington Post, Washington Examiner, District Sports Page, CSN DC (1), CSN DC (2), Black & Red United, SBI, ProSoccerTalk, The Sports Network, Goal.com, Sports Mole, UPI, and The AP.

Here’s an interesting factoid from the Washington Post’s Steven Goff on McInerney:

McInerney, 20, was the seventh selection in the 2010 MLS draft—a slot Philadelphia acquired from United in what turned out to be a one-sided trade: The Union added McInerney, veteran midfielder Fred and financial considerations for goalkeeper Troy Perkins, who lasted one season in his second stint in Washington.

How about that!   Gabriel Farfan tweeted after Sunday’s win, “Just another day….fighting crime at RFK.” The greatest Philadelphia Union photo ever?

Gabriel Farfan tweeted after Sunday’s win, “Just another day…fighting crime at RFK.” The greatest Philadelphia Union photo ever?

At US Soccer Players, Jason Davis talks to Jack McInerney about scoring goals. It’s a must-read article with lots of great quotes that provide insight into McInerney’s approach as well as how he has benefited by John Hackworth’s more communicative coaching style.

In his latest blog post at Goal.com, Amobi Okugo writes, “If you were to ask me, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” I would definitely say playing in Europe on an established team in Germany or Spain. I’d also like to be a key member of the U.S. men’s national team…As of now though, I’m only focused on the present and what I can control, which is helping the Union get back to the playoffs and bringing home some hardware to a very passionate fan base.”

Vote Sheanon Williams for the 2013 John Wanamaker Athletic Award, presented “to the athlete, team or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia and to the team or sport in which they excel.”

Deltona mayor John Masiarczyk talks to Daytona Beach News-Journal about how being the Union’s spring training home works into his town’s development plans.

Local

Harrisburg City Islanders continue to start the season on the right foot with a 2-1 road win over Colorado Rapids reserves. Both City Islanders goals came from Union players on loan to Harrisburg, the first coming from Cristhian Hernandez, who assisted last week’s gamewinner, the second from Greg Jordan, whose headed goal came from a Hernandez free kick. The 2-0 start to the season is a first in the history of  the City Islanders.

Also on loan from the Union, Don Anding went the full 90 at left back for Harrisburg and Jimmy McLaughlin started and played 87 minutes.

Harrisburg coach Bill Becher is pleased with how Anding and Jordan are doing in Harrisburg’s backline.

Ahead of Saturday’s win, Michael Bullock of the Patriot-News checks in with Harrisburg’s Lucky Mkosana.

Junior Lone Star had two pre-season games on the road this weekend and won both of them, Chesterfield United 1-0 on Saturday and Electric City Shock 3-2 on Sunday

MLS

In the Eastern Conference standings, Kansas City remains in first place despite a 2-0 road loss to Los Angeles. Houston Dynamo are in second place after a comeback 1-1 road draw with Toronto, who are now in seventh place. Montreal, who had a bye, are in third place. New York move into fourth place after a 4-1 win over New England, who are now in ninth place. The Union move back to fifth place with their 3-2 win over last place DC. Columbus are in sixth place following their 1-0 road loss to Chicago, who move into eighth place with the win.

On Friday, MLS announced its first intra-league loan mechanism, which has “quietly been in place since the beginning of the 2013 season.” Loans must be executed within the primary transfer window, which this season ends on May 6.

At Grantland, Graham Parker looks at the history of the Supporters’ Shield.

Southampton, Pa. native and former Union man Ryan Richter says he hopes he’s found a home in Toronto.

Richter tells Waking the Red, “The people are a lot nicer in Toronto than they are in Philly.”

Landon Donovan had a goal and an assist in LA’s 2-0 win over Kansas City. Donovan said, “I’m almost there. ust a little bit more sharpness, but I felt almost back to normal. I felt like I was very close to 100 percent tonight. Don’t count the old guy out just yet. I still got a little bit more to give.”

San Jose Earthquakes have placed the supporters group 1906 Ultras on indefinite probation after an attack on a Portland Timbers supporter on April 14, which was won by Portland at home. The two teams drew 1-1 in San Jose on Sunday.

Seattle Sounders won their first game of 2013 on the road against Colorado, courtesy of a goal from one Obafemi Martins.

More Orlando stadium news from baynews9.com and The Daytona Beach News-Journal

NWSL

Portland Thorns defeated Seattle Reign 2-1 in their home opener in front of 16,479 at Jeld-Wen Field with Alex Morgan netting for Portland. Washington Spirit drew 1-1 with Western New York Flash in front of a sold out crowd of 4,569 at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Early reports seem to indicate that Western NY’s Abby Wambach may have suffered a concussion during the game. The game between Kansas City and Boston, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed due to the effects of the security situation on travel on Friday in Boston. Chicago and Sky Blue had the weekend off.

US

US Soccer president Sunil Gulati has been elected to represent CONCACAF on FIFA’s executive committee. Gulati defeated Mexican soccer federation president Justino Compean by one vote.

At SI, Gwendolyn Oxenham has a wonderful essay on how pickup soccer connects generations of American players.

The “Where are they now” series at US Soccer.com continues with Carin Jennings Gabarra.

Elsewhere

Former CONCACAF president and well-known crook Jack Warner has resigned his post as the national security minister of Trinidad & Tobago after CONCACAF’s ethics panel released a report on Friday accusing Warner and former confederation general secretary and professional garden gnome impersonator Chuck Blazer with “enriching themselves through fraud.” More on the ethics panel report here.

Simon Evans reports at Reuters that Warner and Blazer “likely face possible legal action from soccer’s ruling body and probes from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service after a report found they had committed serious acts of fraud.”