Daily news roundups

Union wins Reading friendly, PPL Park parking wars go federal, Altidore out for Portugal game

Photo: Garen Meguerian

Philadelphia Union

Harrisburg City Islander Jamiel Hardware faced the Union in the US Open Cup on Tuesday night. On Wednesday night, he was a Union guest player in the annual friendly against Reading United. And it’s a good thing he was too. After Aaron Wheeler opened the scoring with a sixth minute goal, Reading scored in the 46th and 75th minutes to take a 2-1 lead. Hardware then scored a brace in the 83rd and 84th minutes to give the Union the 3-2 win.

The Union rested all of their starters in Wednesday’s game, fielding a lineup that included Brian Holt, Hernandez (Cristhian at left back?), Ethan White, Richie Marquez, Union Academy player Sean Wilson, Leo Fernandes, Corben Bone, Pedro Ribeiro, Zach Pfeffer, Jimmy McLaughlin, and Aaron Wheeler. Reconstructing from the Reading United Twitter feed, coming on at the start of the second half was Antoine Hoppenot (Wheeler), Jones (in for Hernandez and presumably Union Academy player Bradford Jones), Campbell (in for Wilson and presumably Union Academy player Will Campbell). I’m not sure who Hardware replaced or when he came on in the second half.

Recaps from PSP, Philadelphia Union, Reading United, and Philly Soccer News.

Good news! If you’re a season ticket holder who attended Tuesday night’s fourth round US Open Cup game against Harrisburg, you can attend next Tuesday’s fifth round US Open Cup match against New York Cosmos for free. An email was sent out on Wednesday that says, “the tickets will be loaded straight onto your season ticket cards, so there is no further action required by you.” The email also says, “If you have already purchased your tickets to next week’s match – please reply to this message before Tuesday’s game and we will ensure you get a full refund on your purchase.”

An announcement on the Cosmos website says the team will be coordinating buses to the game with Cosmos supporters clubs The Borough Boys, La Banda del Cosmos, and Cross Island Crew.

At the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mari A Shaefer reports, “A Bala Cynwyd parking lot operator claims in a federal racketeering lawsuit that officials in Chester City conspired with the owners of the Philadelphia Union and PPL Park to stop the company from operating its lots during the Union’s Major League Soccer games and other events.” The lawyer for T.I.C.B. Partners says in the report, “This was all about competition for parking dollars.”

Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz says in the report that the lawsuit is “without merit” and “frivolous,” adding, “We have complied 100 percent with every law and building code in constructing PPL Park and the adjacent approved parking lots that we control.”

At the South Jersey Times, Eric Goldstein has a good read on the World Cup rivalries in the Union locker room. Antoine Hoppenot says, “It’s just a lot of fun to yell at each other and put stuff up on
Twitter. We make fun of each other and it’s been a lot of fun when we  are around each other. We are all close on the team which makes it even better.

More on Maurice Edu at center back from MLSsoccer.com and Soccerly.

At Delco Times, a report on Andre Blake’s showing between the posts against Harrisburg.

At the Union website, Maurice Edu talks about that perfectly legitimate goal that was disallowed against Slovenia in 2010, the fourth anniversary of which was on Wednesday. Edu says, “Honestly I don’t think about it anymore. It was four years ago and since then I have just used it as motivation. I have seen that it is possible to play at the highest level. Did I score? Yeah, I think so. But I can’t worry about it. I got to live what is every kid’s dream that plays soccer. And for that I am grateful and quite honestly content.”

Also at the Union website, the informative Cup Connections series continues with a look at James Gentle, the Philadelphia player who was on the 1930 US World Cup team.

Local

Heavy has 5 things you need to know about Mark Geiger, the ref from the Jersey Shore who is carrying the whistle at the World Cup.

Chestnut Hill Local says winning is the key to “sparking interest” in soccer in the US.

The Philadelphia University men’s team has released its 2014 schedule.

MLS

In Wednesday night’s US Open Cup games, New England defeated USL PRO side Richmond Kickers 3-2. Chicago defeated USL PRO side Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-1 in a game that was delayed for two hours when a heavy storm rolled in.At the start of the second half, the game was delayed for another hour when the heavens opened up again. After that delay, play resumed for three minutes before the match was abandoned. Kansas City defeated NASL side Minnesota United 2-0. Seattle defeated USASA side PSA Elite 5-0. LA defeated USL PRo side Arizona United 2-1.

DC United’s Fabian Espindola is out for six weeks after suffering an a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the 4-2 win over Montreal on June 11. In case you’re wondering, the Union don’t play DC until the road game on Sept. 27.

The Atlanta Falcons have released renderings of the New Atlanta Stadium, which will also be the home of Atlanta’s expansion MLS franchise.

US Congressman Joe Garcia wants David Beckham to consider Homestead/Florida City as a location for a soccer stadium.

NWSL

Western New York defeated Chicago 2-0 on Wednesday. Tonight, Boston hosts Seattle.

US

Jozy Altidore is out for Sunday’s match against Portugal. U.S. Soccer spokesman Michael Kammarman said, “He will not be available for Sunday’s game, but we are hopeful he will be available in the tournament.”

ASN and Soccer America discuss three options to replace Jozy Altidore.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate Beto says the the Real Madrid superstar is “100 percent fit to play” on Sunday.

Dueling headlines at Goal.com. One says the US is “possessed by the need to improve,” the other says the team is “fully focused and confident.”

People Magazine with five things you should know about John Brooks.

Good Morning America on how the American Outlaws are “getting the US into soccer.”

Elsewhere

Look for our recap of Wednesday’s World Cup games later today.

Ticket-less Chile fans tried to charge into the Maracana yesterday through the media center. Police arrested 85.

After Chile’s win over Spain, wild celebrations erupted in Santiago with officials reporting 300 buses were damaged. Citizens have also been asked to refrain from barbequing due to smog. hilean government official Claudio Orrego said, “When we have low winds and we’re at critical levels what we are saying is that people should avoid burning charcoal because that makes the air quality worse. I’ve been the butt of a lot of jokes for this and I take it with humor, but I also urge people to take it seriously.”

Concerns are growing over a temporary set of wooden stairs that thousands have used to gain access to the Maracana. Video shows the stairs wobbling as people climb them to enter the stadium.

From the Telegraph, fans shouting the derogatory term “puto” when a goalkeeper kicks the ball could mean sanctions against Brazil and Mexico. FIFA is also investigating the display of neo Nazi banners in Croatia’s game against Brazil, and Russia’s against South Korea.

Bloomberg on the use of vanishing spray at the World Cup. Calling it “Felony foam” makes me chuckle.

17 Comments

  1. Phil Naegely says:

    Ed- It was hard to keep up with the subs at the friendly, because the Union made their subs at the half without checking them all in etc. I think Hardware came on for Christian Hernandez.

  2. If Mark Geiger continues to perform well at the World Cup, does the “Geiger Counter” get renamed? Hard to believe, but seems like he’s put in two solid outings now.

    • Andy Muenz says:

      I thought there were a couple of questionable calls but nothing game changing. Of course, both games he’s called have been relatively one sided so that makes things easier.
      .
      No surprise that after two games in Group B, there is a team at 0-2 with a goal differential of -6 is there?

    • This is a serious, serious issue.
      .
      We have no idea.

    • DarthLos117 says:

      Mark Geiger gets a bad rap. He is easily the best ref in MLS.
      .
      Has always been a quality referee.
      .
      Homers gonna always hate when a call goes against home team.
      .
      Wouldnt be surprised at all if he gets the final.

    • Eli Pearlman-Storch says:

      I tried the “Gonzometer” after a particularly putrid performance from Jorge Gonzalez. That went over like a lead balloon. Better suggestions are most welcome.

  3. Geiger called another good match I’m just sayin’

  4. Geiger’s calls have never been my main complaint against the guy. It’s always been his arrogance and need to show up the players. He has often demonstrated that he feels he is the most important participant in the event. As if fans paid to see him.

    Thankfully, that sort of thing has been missing from his games in the World Cup.

  5. Interesting that the city of Chester and the Union were named as codefendants in that parking suit. Glad to see relations between city and club have improved.
    .
    Anyone know where the parking lots are that this company owns?

  6. Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz says in the report that the lawsuit is “without merit” and “frivolous,” adding, “We have complied 100 percent with every law and building code in constructing PPL Park and the adjacent approved parking lots that we control.”
    .
    Oh great now I have to worry about PPL Park falling down.

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