Daily news roundups

Fernandes & Gaddis named to TOW, more Union & league news, further FIFA follies

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

Ray Gaddis and Leo Fernandes have been named to sounds familiar.

In The Guardian’s look back at Week 3, Fernandes is described as a player “to watch this season.”

You expect to see a fall in the rankings after a loss and so it is this week. At SI, it is a one-spot step down to No. 3. At Soccer America, the Union drop three places to No. 7. At ESPN, it’s a six spot fall to No. 9.

In the latest Inside Doop, Dave Zeitlin says of Conor Casey, “If he doesn’t play again this coming weekend, it might be fair to start asking the question of where he fits into the team and what his role will be.” Zeitlin also notes that the Union’s scoreline against Columbus marks the 13th consecutive game the team has scored no more than one goal. Troubling.

At Brotherly Game, Leo Fernandes is the Stat Hero, Cristian Maidana the Stat Zero.

At the Union website, Kerith Gabriel talks to Union goalkeeper Brian Holt about his path in the pros. Union assistant coach says of Holt, “He’s one of the best shot stoppers that you will ever find and any guy in our locker room will tell you that…If you were to ask any player on our team if we were to play a 6v6 or 7v7 game who would they want as their goalkeeper I think it’d be Brian.”

Union fans who attend Temple University can take advantage of a ticket deal for the April 19 game against Houston in which they can purchase two tickets per Temple ID for only $10 apiece.

This just in from the Department of What the What Now, globoesporte.globo.com reports (crappy Google translation here) that Kleberson has signed a two-year deal with NASL side Indy Eleven. As of this writing, there is no confirmation on the Indy Eleven website.

At Stoppage Time Soccer, PSP contributor Phil Naegely talks to Sons of Ben social media director Jeffrey Mitchell about shaving his head to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Based on responses to a survey by employees, the Union has been named one of the Top 100 places to work in the Philadelphia region by Philly.com.

Local

The Philadelphia Soccer Six is partnering with the Starfinder Foundation to host a combined event on April 6 at Penn Park. The event will feature a youth soccer clinic and college friendly. Stay tuned for further details.

The Inquirer’s Kathy Boccella follows up on previous reports by the Inquirer and Dateline NBC on the struggles of a group of Chester County girls soccer players with the aftereffects of concussions they received playing the game.

Ozy.com also has a report on girls soccer and concussions.

MLS

Columbus Crew’s Bernardo Anor has been named Player of the Week by MLSsoccer.com and SBI after his two-goal effort against the Union. The 35-yard blast that resulted in his second goal is up for Goal of the Week.

For the first time this season, no Union players are included in MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week.

MLS announced today Etihad Airways as the league’s newest sponsor. Etihad Airways is, of course, the primary shirt sponsor of Manchester City, the primary backer of New York City FC, and also holds the naming rights for the former City of Manchester Stadium..

Longtime Columbus Crew president Mark McCullers has announced his resignation after 15 years with the club.

Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer has apologized for saying in a recent interview that Columbus is “a large city that really has no professional sports team.” In addition to the Crew, Columbus is also home to the NHL’s Blue Jackets.

Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Revolution, is in the process of having a new turf field installed, which will be ready in time for the team’s home match on April 12.

After officially unveiling renderings of the proposed stadium in PortMiami, David Beckham says he’s up for the challenge of changing the minds of those who oppose the plan. “I don’t want to be an enemy to the people that are opposed to the stadium. I want to work with them.”

Mayoral and City council candidates in DC continue to express reservations about the proposed new stadium at Buzzard Point.

The Denver Post has an interesting look at the work and expense that went into a recent tifo display at a Colorado Rapids game.

Dynamo Theory considers why, compared to other US professional sports leagues, MLS is largely absent of players finding themselves in trouble with the law.

NWSL

At fivethirteight.com, Allison McCann looks at how the low pay on offer at the NWSL “has made it more difficult to attract high-level players — well, high-level players who are not members of the U.S. national team.”

Former Philadelphia Independence standout defender Kia McNeill, currently signed to Boston Breakers, has opted not to play this year in order to continue her postgraduate studies and position as assistant coach with the Boston College women’s soccer team.

US

On Monday, Sunil Gulati tweeted that FIFA had approved Tampa-born German American Julian Green’s one-time switch to play for the US effective immediately. Jurgen Klinsmann said, “We are obviously thrilled. We appreciate FIFA’s effort in getting his paperwork approved, and are excited to have him on board for the game against Mexico on April 2.”

Green’s father talks to USA Today about what motivated the young player to choose the US over Germany. The short answer is Jurgen Klinsmann.

Elsewhere

The Guardian reports, “The former FBI investigator leading a probe into the controversial bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups almost fell victim of a plot from some FIFA executives to defenestrate him from the organization’s ethics committee.” Apparently Michael Garcia showing up unannounced to question FIFA executives last week made some people nervous.

The AP reports, “The mayor of Porto Alegre said Monday the southern Brazilian city will not be able to host World Cup matches if local lawmakers fail to approve a bill to help finance the installation of the temporary structures needed for the tournament.”

Reuters reports, “One month after officials condemned Adidas for selling T-shirts that ‘linked Brazil’s image to sexual appeal,’ the practice of using sex to sell football continues unabashed at the home of the 2014 World Cup.”

Meanwhile, the Brazilian army set to enter the slums of Rio de Janeiro in response to an escalation of attacks on local police less than three months ahead of the start of the World Cup.

Reuters reports, “Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko is confident that FIFA has cleared the way for Crimea’s top two soccer clubs to join the Russian league this year.” Good ol’ FIFA.

On Monday, Deadspin posted a story based on the recent International Trade Union Confederation report on the deaths of workers involved in the World Cup-related construction in Qatar. The provocative headline of the story, “Qatar’s World Cup Expected To Take More Lives Than 9/11,” resulted in a letter from Paul Hughes, head of international media relations for Qatar’s Supreme Committee of Delivery & Legacy. It’s a typically disgusting example of public relations nonsense.

Mexico’s World Cup jersey was reportedly inspired by WWE wrestler Rey Mysterio, Jr. I guess that’s better than having your jersey apparently (un)inspired by a golf shirt.

13 Comments

  1. Dynamo Theory is a great name for a website. Just sayin

  2. Has anyone seen the away jerseys for the US world cup? Is it just a blue version of the white?

  3. Just posted this over on the MLS Kickoff article. Did anyone else see the new trailer for the upcoming X-Men movie? At the 2:09 mark, they show Magneto standing in a crumbling RFK stadium. I heard it’s the only scene that didn’t require special effects.

    http://youtu.be/­6acRHWnfZAE?t=2m5s

  4. OneManWolfpack says:

    What’s with the new jerseys lately? They just all seem terrible. I don’t really care if Mexico’s is crappy, but I’m just making an observation. PS – Mexico’s is crappy.
    .
    FIFA continues to amaze… WOW
    .
    Good stuff for Leo and Ray (yeah first names now – we’re pals). Both guys deserve it.
    .
    Do you think Ray goes to left back when Williams comes back? Can Leo play the right side in place of Frenchy – LeToux? I would love to see both on the field.
    .
    Casey not playing is very concerning.

    • Agree with all 5 pts…
      I say play Leo on the right. It can’t do much worse (defensively). Torn about Gaddis v. Fan. Fab hasn’t been terrible defensively but his service isn’t so great. It’s 6 of one, half dozen of the other.

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