Daily news roundups

“It’s as bad as it’s ever been”: Reaction after Montreal punishes Union D, Rogers debuts for LA, more news

Philadelphia Union

With Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Montreal—a game that featured a first half hat trick from Marco DiVaio—the Philadelphia Union now lead the Eastern Conference in goals allowed at 23, one more than last in the East DC United. Only last in the Western Conference Chivas USA has allowed more at 24.

John Hackworth said, “To allow Di Vaio to get free the way he did especially in the first half was unacceptable. Our defensive play wasn’t good. It’s as bad as it’s ever been. It’s not any one individual’s fault. We’re a team so if one guy is having a bad night, it really affects the center in a bad way and tonight too many guys on our team had bad nights. Certainly tonight was not acceptable.”

Amobi Okugo said, “We gave Di Vaio too much space and he punished us.”

Sheanon Williams was blunt. “We knew what their game plan was going to be. We didn’t pay attention. We didn’t play well defensively and that includes me. I feel like I’m accountable for at least three of their goals, so that’s not good enough for me. It’s not good enough for our team. I’ll give us some credit for not giving up and fighting back during that game. We had a couple of chances to tie it up and steal maybe a point on the road and we just kept giving up some bad chances.”

At Union Tally, Matthew De George’s assessment is equally blunt. “The Union defense simply was not up to the task.”

Michael Farfan said, “I think we just let off on a couple plays and lost where Di Vaio was a couple of times and a player like that is going to hurt us. After that, we got a goal back in the second half and got back in the game, and then we let our guard down on a corner kick. So I think it was just a couple plays that we took off and we didn’t have the luxury to be able to do that kind of thing.”

The Union are now 0-3-0 against teams higher than them in the top half of the Eastern Conference table. Is this concerning? Hackworth said, “I don’t look at it like that. I think we are what we are. I think we have to be a team, that’s truly a really good team, on any given night, to compete in this league. Unfortunately, in the games where we’ve come up against teams above us in the table—I think we’ve gone out and gone nose to nose with them, but in the end we’ve made some mistakes and we haven’t had a result come our way.”

Okugo said, “We know Montreal has a few games in hand so we don’t really look too much into that, whether we jump in front of them. But we’ve got to start beating the better teams. We’re taking care of business against the teams behind us, but if we want to stay in contention we need to beat the teams that we’re trying to catch up to, in terms of points.”

With the recent trades of Gabriel Farfan and Bakary Soumare, the Union have some cash and cap space to go searching for some defensive help. Hackworth said, “I think we’re at least positioned if the right player in that situation comes along, we’ll be able to make a move.”

Match reports and recaps from PSP, PhiladelphiaUnion.com, MLSsoccer.com, Philly.com, Union Tally, Philly Soccer News, Brotherly Game, ImpactMontreal.com, Montreal Gazette, CTV News, Mount Royal Soccer, SBI, ESPN, SB Nation, Goal.com, TeamTalk.com, Sports Network, The Canadian Press, and the AP,

Di Vaio’s hat trick puts him level with Jack McInerney at the top of the league goalscoring list. Di Vaio, something about cake, the ref, blah, blah, blah.

Following US Soccer’s denial of Ocean City’s protest over the site of Tuesday’s US Open Cup third round tie against the Union, Nor’easters general manager Neil Holloway said, “The Union have worked with us and Ocean City will receive a portion of tickets purchased by O.C. fans.” US Open Cup rules say that the hosting team has the right to 100 percent of gate receipts.

The Union has been awarded the Governor’s Community ImPACT Award for the Southeast Pennsylvania region, given in recognition for “businesses in Pennsylvania that are creating job opportunities and contributing to the state’s economy.” Nick Sakiewicz said, “It’s an honor to receive this recognition of our work in the community. We have always believed our project is about community and are committed to creating a different kind of professional sports organization that is deeply connected to its fans and the community in which we are a part of. This is a true honor.”

Freddy Adu made his debut for Bahia, coming on in the 83rd minute in the 3-1 loss to Criciuma.

Local

Harrisburg City Islanders fell 2-0 away to undefeated Richmond Kickers on Friday. Union loanees Greg Jordan, Cristhian Hernandez and Aaron Wheeler started for Harrisburg with Jimmy McLaughlin being a late substitute. More from The Patriot-Times, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Black & Red United. Video highlights here.

Reading travel to face Red Bulls on Wednesday in the third round of the US Open Cup. And Red Bulls SB Nation blog Once a Metro has the good grace to mock them their enthusiasm for the challenge. Stay classy, Red Bulls fans.

Red Bulls defender Diago, brother of one Kaka, may be fit enough to play in Wednesday’s game.

Reading United are on the road today to facce F.A. Euro – New York Magic. If you’re up Brooklyn way today, kickoff is at 2:30pm.

MLS

On Saturday it was announced that LA Galaxy had traded Mike Magee to Chicago for the rights to Robbie Rogers. On Sunday, Rogers made US sports history when he became the first openly gay male athlete to play in one of the major US professional team sports, coming on in the 77th minute in the Galaxy’s 4-0 win over Seattle Sounders. Robbie Keane scored a first half hat trick of his own in the game.

Rogers said, “You could see it on my face; I had a huge smile of enjoyment. Okay, I’m back, this is normal and very supportive. I keep saying the word: normal, normal, but it was. Once I got on and I saw the support, I just zoned in…It was good to be back and I’m excited to move on from here.”

Don Garber said, “I am proud to welcome Robbie Rogers, a courageous man and a terrific soccer player, back to Major League Soccer. We look forward to Robbie’s contributions on and off the field.”

Rogers will be with LA when they travel to face Carolina RailHawks in US Open Cup play on Wednesday.

In Eastern Conference action, New York Red Bulls remain in first place with a 2-2 draw against sixth place Columbus Crew. Montreal moves into second place—two points behind New York—with their 5-3 win over fifth place Philadelphia. Kansas City is in third place with their 1-1 draw with fourth place Houston, who they lead by one point. New England trails the Union by two points and is in seventh place (and level on points with Columbus) after defeating ninth place Toronto 2-0.  Chicago moves into eight place after a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake, a game in which Bakary Soumare started and went the full 90 minutes. DC United remains in last place after falling 2-0 at home to Portland.

Carlos Ruiz started instead of Dwayne DeRosario in DC United’s loss. DeRosario was not pleased.

The Toronto Globe and Mail says the “FC” in Toronto FC stands for “futility club.” Ouch.

More from the New York Times.

ProSoccerTalk looks at where the league’s priorities should be following the NYCFC announcement. ProSoccerTalk also examines which city should be next for expansion.

The New York Times says the Manchester City vs. Chelsea friendly had the feel of a dress rehearsal for Yankee Stadium as the temporary home for NYCFC.

The Independent examines why Manchester City’s owners are willing to spend $500 million to start up the team. The Independent also notes the local opposition to the proposed stadium in Queens.

New York Cosmos supporters group the Borough Boys have issued a statement saying they are disappointed that MLS has gone with NYCFC for a second New York team. Whether they are also disappointed by the path that the Cosmos ownership have taken to join NASL is not mentioned.

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole to MLS?

NWSL

Sky Blue FC extended its winning streak to four games with a 1-0 win over fifth place Kansas City. Sky Blue is tied for first place with Portland Thorns, who defeated last place Seattle Reign 1-0 on a very controversial penalty kick. Third place Boston Breakers topped sixth place Washington Spirit 3-0. Fourth place Western New York and seventh place Chicago had the weekend off.

US

Grantland wonders if newly elected executive committee member Sunil Gulati can reform FIFA. I’m gonna go with no.

Elsewhere

Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in Saturday’s Champions League final. It was a fine final. You can watch these unique highlights.

Jonathan Wilson writes that Bayern have set a “magnificent yet troubling standard.”

Soccer America wonders if this year’s final will translate into good ratings for FOX.

Club America scored two late goals to force extra time and penalty kicks to defeat Cruz Azul for the  Liga MX Clausura championship.

Michael Bradley’s Roma fell 1-0 to Lazio in the Coppa Italia.

Celtic defeated Hibs 3-0 to win the Scottish Cup.

It’s official, Neymar is headed to Barcelona.

 

19 Comments

  1. Any good team in the mls knows to beat the union all you have to do is run at gaddis and Williams and You will be able to be dangerous as none of them are very good defenders…

  2. Are you guys not updating Phillysoccerpage.com?
    Only the .net is showing up for me as updated. Just wondering if I should change my bookmark.

  3. I don’t think they could find the “right ” player if he came up and kicked them on the behind.

  4. Whas also frustrating is not that has Jack lost his two goal Golden Bot lead, he lost to to a guy playing us.

    • Yeah. It turns out that Jack’s biggest disadvantage in the Golden Boot race is that he doesn’t play against the Union defense.

  5. the independent: “Abu Dhabi’s New York franchise, which MLS has moved heaven and earth to accommodate, with suggestions, so far unconfirmed, that the franchise agreement may allow them to spend beyond the usual salary cap.”

    wouldn’t be surprised in the least for this kind of accommodation from mls.

    • If that’s the case then the league is in bad shape. I don’t see how the other owners will permit it. Although La and Ny have been rumored yo already be spending more than the cap.

  6. This problem started before this game the LA game, the NYRB game, the New England game, and the SKC game. It started with the hiring of Hackworth through the draft and off season drama. The Union need to clean house after this season in the management department. Sakaiwicz, Hackworth, the coaches and that whole U17/U20 mentallity that has poisened this organization needs to go!! Why is it that Montreal can come in and be a major contender and the Union look like a first year team still trying to figure it all out?

    • OneManWolfpack says:

      Well said.

    • John O'Donnell Jr. says:

      Great third coach in five years, sounds like a recipe for success. Maybe we can be a little more patient and realize that this is not a championship team. They played bad in a big game and are still trying to establish the identity of this team. I would like to see them get hot later, rather than sooner and hope they make the playoffs.

      • Steve l. says:

        Just ask Chelsea fans how its like to have that many coaches.

      • Dream on! Again why is this team still trying to find an identity? Hackworth and crew did a lousy job in the draft. None of the glaring weaknesses on this team have be addressed. You see the same mess game in and game out. At this level you either have skills with the ball or you don’t. You either read the flow of the game or you don’t. You either manage at the pro level or you don’t. You don’t constently start and sub in the same players who bring nothing to the game or even have the most rudimentary soccer skills. Defensively how do you leave Di Viao and Keane and some many others unmarked game in and game out? Now the team has no depth in vital areas. LA can trade McGee to Chicago and get Rogers. We trade Soumare to Chicago and get a draft pick and money–really!!? How many goals have the Union given up to date? This starts with the mentallity of your manager and ownership. Nowak is gone, this is all Hackworth and Sakaiwicz.

      • Well depends. If you think the problem with the team is personnel and some tactical decisions then yea, 3 coaches in 5 years probably wouldn’t be so great.

        But that isn’t what is being suggested here, What is being suggested here is that there is a cultural problem at the Union. A top down philosophial crisis (melodramatic!)That affects how the Union do things at the basic level.

        The lack of preparation, improvement of players, the ability to locate players and fill holes in the line up,the lack of any real accountability at the GM level,the fact we have a bare bones “good enough” coaching staff, the fact that the only way several players thought they could advance their careers was by asking for a trade, the fact that your last head coach was basically made an unaccountable, overpaid, tyrant and made a fairly decent team who then megalomaniacaly ran it into the ground, the fact that the same unaccountable, overpaid, tyrant was only fired because he was looking for another job(much like his players) The fact we get no return for giving away players except to pay down bad contracts or to reacquire players we gave away for nothing except allocation maney, ect ect ect. If you think that is the problem then maybe a general house cleaning starting from above and ending with out head coach (at least) might be a good idea.

  7. I like that Williams stepped up and called himself out. Maybe the coach could take a lesson in accountability from him, instead of blaming the team for his bad tactical plan.

    • I agree, generally speaking. It shows leadership when a player steps up in front of the cameras and microphones and says, “I screwed up.” But… you only get one, maybe two, of those a year. Williams now has to come out next Saturday and play his best game of the year. Otherwise, standing up and taking ownership of the mistake loses any meaning it had in the lockerroom.
      .
      (And yes, I know they play tonight. This isn’t the game Williams has to step up in, though. It needs to be an MLS opponent. Of course, one could make the argument that TFC isn’t an MLS opponent…)

  8. kingkowboys says:

    Our defense has had trouble marking all season. If you look at games where we give up multiple goals it’s because we fail to mark up in the box. A lot of it has to do with our outside backs and midfield not being in the correct position. We also have a terrible tendency to ball watch.

  9. Great One says:

    The biggest load of crap in here is Hackworth saying “at the least, we put ourselves in a position to pick someone up if they come along”, translation, we will not be getting anyone. The money we got was to pay den salaries and line the owners pockets. Wait until kleberson is gone, then they’ll really be saving. Btw, Torres is the next to go, no doubt about it.
    .
    I like Shaenon taking some accountability, at least they realize what’s wrong.

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