Daily news roundups

Recaps from Union win, US tops Turkey, Villa signs with NYC FC, new Qatar WC bribery allegations

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

Both the officiating, and the opposition, were rather weak on Saturday but the Union did what they had to do and left Chivas USA the 3-0 winners.

Conor Casey’s brace signaled the forward had finally opened his 2014 account. Casey said of the goals,

The PK, I wanted to take and, luckily, Mo let me do that to kind of get this year kicked off. I hadn’t scored yet, so it was nice of him to let me do that and I was happy to be able to put it away. We came out in the second half and had a lot of the possession again, and Chaco played a great ball in, put it on a platter for me and I was able to put it in from a couple of yards out. Great ball from him, good movement. Happy I was in the right place.

It was Fred’s first start in a year. Fred said after the game, “It’s been a year that I didn’t play the 90 minutes. Before the game, I was so excited to play, I felt like I was 20 years old. When I started playing, the football flowed in and I’m very happy. I feel a little bit older, they call me grandpa, but I [felt] great today on the field and I think I can help Philadelphia get to the top.”

Saturday’s win was ended a two-game losing streak and was the team’s first shutout in seven games. “We tried to emphasize that we needed to be better defensively,” said John Hackworth. “We feel like we’re a team that can play, we even felt like we played good soccer against LA at times. But tonight, we felt like we had to keep a zero, and the longer we did that, we were going to give ourselves a chance. So it was good.

Recaps from PSP, Philadelphia Union, Philadelphia Daily News, Delco Times, Philly Soccer News, The 700 Level, Brotherly Game, MLSsoccer.com, Chivas USA, Los Angeles Daily News, The Goat Parade, Soccerly (1), Soccerly (2), Goal.com, SBI, Fansided, Papsonsports.comThe Sports Network, and The AP.

Postgame quotes here at PSP.

Photo gallery from Getty Images.

More on Casey’s goals from MLSsoccer.com.

Local

Harrisburg City Islanders had back-to-back games over the weekend. At home on Saturday, Harrisburg fell 3-2 to Richmond Kickers after conceding a stoppage time equalizer. Jimmy McLaughlin assisted Morgan Langley’s 55th minute equalizer before a Richmond own-goal  following a free kick from Cristian Hernandez in the 90th minute leveled the scores again. Moments later, Harrisburg conceded the gamewinner. Recaps from and Harrisburg City IslandersPennLive, and Richmond Kickers.

On the road to face Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Sunday, Harrisburg was down 1-0 after a Pittsburgh goal in the 12th minute. In the 85th minute, Jimmy McLaughlin scored the equalizer and the game finished at 1-1. Recaps from Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Reading defeated FA Euro 3-0 on Saturday. Recaps from PSP, and Reading United.

Also on Saturday, three first half goals saw Ocean City Nor’easters defeat North Virginia Royals 3-2 on the road.

Junior Lone Star defeated Greater Binghamton FC Thunder 3-0 on Saturday.

The New York Daily News talks to every Union fan’s favorite referee, Beachwood, New Jersey’s very own Mark Geiger, about being the first US referee selected to officiate at the World Cup since 2002.

Brotherly Game talks to Graham Charters, the assistant general manager of the new Philadelphia Fury team that is to begin play in the eight-team, and equally new, American Soccer League, in August. The team will play its home games at Washington Township High School.

The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr recently instituted a no heading policy for its middle school soccer teams. The Washington Post talks to Head of School Steve Piltch and Athletic Director Marc Duncan about the new policy.

MLS

In Eastern Conference play, New England (23 points) remain in first place despite losing 2-0 to last place Montreal (10 points). Jack McInerney scored the second Montreal goal. DC (21 points) are in second place after defeating third place Kansas City (19 points), 1-0. Fourth place Houston (17 points) lost 3-0 to Colorado. Fifth place Toronto (16 points) defeated sixth place Columbus (16 points), 3-2. Seventh place New York (15 points) had the weekend off. The Union (14 points) move into eighth place with their 3-0 win over Chivas USA. Ninth place Chicago (13 points) blew a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with LA.

In the Western Conference, first place Seattle (29 points) handed second place Salt Lake (24 points) their first loss of the season in a 4-0 thumping. Third place Colorado (21 points) blanked Houston, 3-0. Fourth place Vancouver (20 points) defeated eighth place Portland (16 points) 4-3 on the road. Fifth place Dallas (18 points) fell 2-1 at home to seventh place San Jose (16 points). Sixth place LA (16 points) came from behind to draw 1-1 with Chicago. Last place Chivas USA (10 points) lost 3-0 to the Union.

Big names are being linked to NYC FC. First off, the club confirmed on Monday morning that David Villa is its first signing. Villa, while not naming the club, said earlier that he had received an offer that he “can’t refuse.” He explained, “It is an irresistible project for me and my family. It is very, very good. It is about football and I have to accept it.” The AP reports that Villa is in Manchester for a medical.

Also linked to NYC FC is Frank Lampard. The Guardian reports, “Frank Lampard and his representative have held talks with New York City over a prospective move to Major League Soccer’s new franchise next March, with the Chelsea midfielder to decide where he is to play his football next season over the next few weeks.” According to the Daily Mirror, the Lampard move is a done deal.

More on the Lampard rumors from MLSsoccer.com.

At the Wall Street Journal, Graham Parker on the rivalry between Red Bulls and the Cosmos ahead of the upcoming meeting between the two teams in the US Open Cup.

NWSL

On Saturday, eighth place Houston (7 points) defeated sixth place Western New York (11 points), 2-1. On Sunday, First place Seattle (26 points) defeated seventh place Sky Blue (10 points), 3-1. Third place Washington (16 points) defeated last place Boston (6 points), 3-2.

US

The defense was a little shaky, but the US defeated Turkey 2-1 in their second World Cup warmup game.

Jurgen Klinsmann said after the game, “Overall what we expected – a Turkish side that can create problems for you any time. Already in the first half, they exploited us here and there. But overall I think it was a good game. It was quite an open game.”

Recaps from PSP, US Soccer, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly.com, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, MLSsoccer.com, ASN, Soccer America, ProSoccerTalk, Goal.com, SBI, Big Apple Soccer. Extensive coverage at ESPN. ASN has a photo gallery from the game.

SI has three thoughts from the game, MLSsoccer.com has three things, US Soccer Players has five points, SBI has other observations, as does ProSoccerTalk.

Player ratings from MLSsoccer.com, Soccer America, ASN, Goal.com, and the New York Times. At ESPN, whose stock is rising, whose is falling.

Jozy Altidore isn’t concerned about his lack of goals. “Everybody’s so worried about my confidence. It’s unbelievable. My confidence is fine. It’s not going to change whether I score a hat trick or I don’t score at all. I’m fine…Doesn’t matter how I play as long as we win.”

How about that Fabian Johnson fellow.

Klinsmann discussed his tactical approach before Sunday’s game. “There is no such thing as a best system. It doesn’t really matter because it’s the whole team, how it plays as a unit, how it attacks and how it defends collectively.”

At the LA Times, Kevin Baxter on the boost provided by the US hosting the 1994 World Cup.

Elsewhere

It’s behind a paywall, but London’s Sunday Times is reporting that it has uncovered documents that show widespread bribery totaling some $5 million ahead of the vote to award Qatar the hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup. The Qatar World Cup 2022 Committee denies any wrongdoing.

FIFA investigator Michael Garcia is to meet with Qatari officials today.

FIFA vice president Jim Boyce says,

As a member currently of the FIFA executive committee, we feel that any evidence whatsoever that people involved were bribed to do a certain vote, all that evidence should go to Michael Garcia, whom FIFA have given full authority to.

“If Garcia’s report comes up and his recommendations are that wrongdoing happened for that vote for the 2022 World Cup, I certainly as a member of the executive committee would have absolutely no problem whatsoever if the recommendation was for a revote.”

Australia and Japan have joined the widening calls for a revote.

To learn about the contents of the Sunday Times report, see these reports from the Guardian, ProSoccerTalk, SBI, MLSsoccer.com, and Agence France-Presse.

The AP reports, “Former Brazil striker Ronaldo said Friday he was ‘appalled’ at the chaotic preparations for the country’s World Cup, arguing that little of what had been promised to the people was delivered.”

Sunil Gulati says of Brazil’s preparations, “Every World Cup has issues right until the last minute. Brazil’s got challenges, and I think they’ll be met. They’ll rely on the local and governmental authorities to make sure it is a safe World Cup. Some of the stadiums, obviously, have been behind, but we’re certainly convinced they’ll be ready to go when we get there and play games.” The link goes to a must-read transcript at Philly.com of Gulati’s comments on a number of topics.

At the New York Times, part one and part two of their look at match fixing in international soccer.

Edinho, the 43-year-old son of Pele, has been sentenced to 33 years for money laundering.

Agence France-Presse reports, “A bomb attack targeting fans watching a match at a football pitch in Nigeria’s restive northeast killed at least 40 people on Sunday.”

23 Comments

  1. Between Frank Lampard and David Villa I can see these newly minted NYFC fans will be completely insufferable.

  2. usa 1:1 odds to host 2022 world cup YES!!!

  3. I am happy that the Union won a game. I am a die hard soccer fan(ManU, Barca and Ajax-don’t judge ;)I love the Union or the idea of the Union. But it’s becoming increasingly harder to be a fan of this dog and pony show. I’m originally from Blue Bell PA and have degrees from PSU, Drexel, and Columbia so I’m fairly good at figuring things out for myself. I moved to NY in 2000. Living in NYC I follow the Union and all the Philly teams as heart breaking and frustrating as it is especially with the hypocrites up here. It makes it even more frustrating when I see MLS deliberately try to build up NY,Toronto,Miami,Atlanta and LA teams with stars at the expense of other teams in the league. I think it sucks. So if that’s the case then why is Philadelphia being treated and run in a 2nd rate manner? As a Philly fan I absolutely hate that the Union (in one of the top sports markets in the country) has such feckless management and mediocre talent and that we aren’t backed like NY,Toronto, LA etc. We need to bring in more quality talent from ownership,FO,Coaching to talent on the field. I’m tired of getting the short end of the stick. Can someone explain to me how it works? Can someone explain why we can’t have Comcast or other major backers? Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the Sugermans and others, but we are in a top tier market. Do I have it all wrong? Am I way off base? I’d really like to know.

    • I was thinking about this a couple of days ago. Philly/Chivas is going to be the standard for the bottom of the table in MLS 3.0.It is only a matter of time until the new owners are going to want to loosen the financial restrictions on the league. With the draft being all but useless in soccer and homegrown players not being the answer for a while money is going decide the top and bottom of the table.
      .
      Get used to the bottom of the table.

      • John O'Donnell says:

        So how do you explain, New England, Salt Lake, KC & Vancouver? They all do it within budget & understand the cap. New England does it in the one of the worst stadium situations in the league and an invisible owner.

      • we aren’t fully integrated into 3.0 yet… but it has started. Once the MLS gets addicted to sheikh money it will not go back.

      • The Black Hand says:

        Sheik money is the only way that the MLS will have a chance to compete with the big dogs. I don’t ever see them achieving an equal par, due to to fact that football is religion elsewhere, but big money will attract big talent. As long as there are some sort of regulations, keeping the playing field somewhat level, I say let ‘me at it.
        .
        Of course, we will need to seek new ownership with the quickness!!!!

      • we aren’t going to be the premier league any time soon. At this moment we stand a better chance of over expanding and diluting our league than being top flight. If we get there we get there but don’t created a crap league in being in too much of a hurry.

      • The Black Hand says:

        It could definitely tip either way. Especially, if these new “mad-cash” owners are able to spend and smaller market clubs are forced out of competition. There has to be a fine set of regulations, limiting how far these clubs can go…in terms of buying talent. There would need to be a solid, fair plan for revenue sharing.
        .
        I’m not saying that it will work. I do think that we are an, overall, frugal league and the talent reflects that.
        .
        Good players bring good players. Yes, many are in it for the payday. But, many are in it for the competition as well.

    • I didn’t realize we needed to submit a CV to post on this site. 🙂
      .
      I still think the ‘big-picture’ plan for the Union was less to win the MLS Cup and more to build a self-sufficient, profitable entity — a kind of grand experiment to build our own Barcelona. Investing in the Academy and Union High, and building a pipeline of young players to feature for a couple years and then sell, is the way to a much more sustainable profit margin than dropping millions on a David Villa that’s only going to put maybe a hundred more butts in seats.
      .
      I’m not advocating this position, merely giving my guess as to what they’re trying to do. Whether they’re succeeding, or even sticking consistenly to their plan, is another story. You keep calling the management ‘feckless’. I finally looked up the word, and it fits pretty well.

      • OneManWolfpack says:

        I think the core of why we the people are so fired up about this team is because the passion for our team and football in general (on a lot of different levels and leagues) doesn’t even come close to the passion and desire of our owners and FO. They claim all day that it does, but when it comes down to it, we thought we were getting a top flight, spend the money club, and the reality is we got the exact opposite.
        .
        At five years in now, it is starting to become more and more of a reality, that this is what we are. We are more the Aston Villa (my favorite other club), Hull City type club… than the Man City, Liverpool we all hoped to be.

  4. Finally have time for quick lunch. Thanks for responding all. It’s truly pathetic. I would think building up Philly along with NY, NE(Boston), DC would be great for the league. Having marquee players in those cities with the natural/fears rivalries seem like it would be a win win. Not to bring up painful memories, but I thought that Philly being marquee was the plan all along especially with someone of Nowaks credentials being named as manager. For this organization to go from Nowaks behind the scene activities to Hackworth is mind numbing. In the back of my mind there is a gnawing thought that if we don’t get Sakeiwicz and Hackworth away from the team and bring in new competent management and stronger ownership, we are going to lose this franchise. I still believe Sakeiwicz and Hackworth were in cahoots with Nowak and are just as responsible for this train wreck. Sakeiwicz did come in with some baggage from the Metro Stars.

    • Sorry taking to train again. Correction: natural/fierce….

    • Problem is that the Union investors made their money with real estate that tanked in ’08. so there is no serious money around. That ex. Microsoft CEO should have bought the Union instead of that basketball team! It is not just the team that sucks; it is also the surrounding area. No nice bars and restaurant next to the stadium contrary to many other places.

      • The Black Hand says:

        Exactly, Guido. I speculate that our ownership is struggling financially.
        .
        Chester doesn’t offer the various rallying points, that other cities do and public transportation is not really available, detracting a lot of people in the city.

      • Guido, The Black Hand, nailed it on the head. I never understood why they didn’t consider building the stadium somewhat closer to center city. There were probably a ton of factors that I’m not aware of. I could be wrong on this point but I believe when the Union org. started building an income Chester county wanted to set high taxes on the Union so then they couldn’t build the second level to the stadium and so on. I’m all for building up a community but the stadium alone will not do this and does the community itself want to improve the community and put in the hard work to do so? Again, I could be completely wrong on this situation. If so, hit me up. I would like to know why they decided to build the stadium in Chester.

  5. OneManWolfpack says:

    I need to hit Powerball and buy this team… straight cash!

  6. Ugh, I read the Shipley article on Middle School header ban. I don’t refute the science in any way, I just lament the direction our culture is headed in, where do you draw the line and accept that some things that you do in life have the minutely statistical chance to harm you. Not a balanced representation of the affects of soccer on the more than likely 2 billiion people that have played it around the world. I pray other schools, don’t follow suit, and rather, teach the kids how to head the ball. I’m sure others will disagree and I’m not a parent, but I am a former middle schooler that miraculously survived with the brain function to be able to both read this article and leave a comment.

    • I hear you but based on the football that I watch, there’s too much heading in US youth leagues and too much heading in MLS. The best players know how to bring the ball down with their chests and play it with their feet. I’m totally fine with changing the focus at the youth level and I think it may actually improve the quality of play.

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