Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
Roland Alberg successfully obtained P1 Visa and will rejoin teammates on next preseason leg #MLS #doop #Philly #Union #alberg
— StoneSportsMgmt (@StoneSportsMgmt) February 13, 2016
Players returned to Philadelphia from Florida on Friday for a regeneration weekend and fly back to Clearwater on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s Suncoast Invitational tournament opener against DC at 4 pm (Tampa Bay Rowdies YouTube Channel).
At the Union website, Chris Winkler reviews the projected starters and depth players in the Union midfield.
Brotherly Game begins a series on the Union depth chart with Eugene Rupinski’s review of the goalkeepers.
At MLSsoccer.com, Dave Zeitlin gets to know Tranquillo Barnetta in a “Ten things about” post.
Also at Brotherly Game, Drew Gobrecht has 17 takeaways from last Thursday’s preseason loss to Chicago. More at Philly Sports Cave, Sons of Penn, and Vavel.
At Last Word on Sports, “The sad history of Union strikers.”
A move to the Union no longer in the works, James McFadden has extended his stay at Motherwell through the end of the season.
Philadelphia Union Academy
In Generation adidas Cup East Regional play on Friday in Florida, the Union Academy U-16s defeated New England, 4-2. Anthony Fontana had a brace, with Matthew Real and Kalil ElMedkhar each adding individual tallies. More on the game at Orlando City and Brotherly Game.
On Saturday, the Union U-16s were defeated by DC, ending the team’s hopes of qualifying for the Championship Division of the GA tournament. (The Academy Twitter account has the result as a 4-1 loss, as does the MLS website and Brotherly Game, but none of them name a Union goalscorer or describe a DC own-goal. The tournament recap at the Orlando City website has the result as 4-0.) Having failed to qualify for the Championship Division, the team will now compete in the tournament’s Premier Division in Frisco, March 18-26.
The Union U-16s wrap up East Regional play today when they face Orlando City at 12 pm.
Union Academy midfielder Jack de Vries (Wayne, Pa.) is one of 18 players selected to be part of 2016 id2 National Selection International Tour to Spain Feb. 20-March 2. The team will play youth teams from Barcelona, Espanyol, Valencia, and Villarreal.
Local
Philadelphia’s American Outlaws chapter will be hosting its third annual EA Sports AO Gamers Cup at the Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 20. beginning at 11 am. As of this writing, I believe there are a few spots left open for FIFA 16 fans who wish to compete.
MLS
The BBC reports Obafemi Martins has left the sounders to sign with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua “in a multi-million dollar deal.” Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey confirmed the interest in Martins but did not confirm a deal had been reached.
I can tell you that Oba is not here with us in this phase of camp. We’ve had an approach from a Chinese club for his services. It could take a while to have that resolved. There’s nothing else we can really add at this point, and we hope to know more by the end of the week.
ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle first reported interest from China in the Nigerian.
AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani says midfielder Antonio Nocerino is set to join Orlando: “Tomorrow we will terminate our rapport with Nocerino, who will go to play in Orlando. With that move, our transfer activity will be finished for this session.”
More player moves:
- Montreal has acquired midfielder Harry Shipp from Chicago in exchange for general and targeted allocation money. It’s hard not to feel bad for Shipp.
- Official: DC has acquired Argentine midfielder Luciano Acosta on loan from Boca Juniors. He arrives as a Discovery Signing using Targeted Allocation Money
- Colorado has acquired defender Eric Miller from Montreal in exchange for general allocation money and a 2018 MLS SuperDraft natural first round pick.
- Dallas has acquired forward/midfielder Carlos Lizarazo on loan from Cruz Azul.
- NYRB has waived defender Shawn McLaws.
Ghanaian international midfielder Enock Adu Kofi to Chicago Fire?
Frank Lampard really wants John Terry to join him at NYCFC: “He’s the best defender I ever played with, quite comfortably. If Chelsea let him go and John’s sitting there, I’ll get his plane ticket and get him over here.”
Preseason games:
- On Friday, NYCFC defeated USL-side Oklahoma City Energy, 1-0.
- On Saturday, Montreal drew 1-1 with their USL team, FC Montreal.
- Houston defeated Houston Baptist University, 5-0.
- Orlando lost 2–1 to NASL-side Jacksonville Armada.
- DC defeated NASL-side Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1–0.
- Colorado defeated USL-side Sacramento Republic, 1–0.
- LAG defeated San Jose, 1–0.
- On Sunday, Salt Lake defeated South Korea’s Seongnam FC, 1-0.
Now with Portland, former Union man Jack McInerney says, “I still have a lot to learn; I’m not even close to my prime, and I think there’s some growing up to do on the field.”
NYRB have unveiled their new away kit. AS is the case with almost everything else about Red Bulls, it sucks.
US
A weak PK call provided the winning goal for the US in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Mexico in the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic qualification tournament in Texas. Carli Lloyd’s PK attempt was initially saved but the Delran native pounced on the rebound. The win assured a semifinal spot for the US. Next up is Puerto Rico tonight at 8:30 pm in their final group game (NBCSN). Match reports from Saturday’s win at US Soccer, CONCACAF, ESPNW, Fox Soccer, SI, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Newsday, The Equalizer, Soccer America, Yahoo Sports, ASN, Stars and Stripes FC, and the AP.
Fox Soccer on the impressive Lindsey Horan.
US Soccer on Mallory Pugh earning her first USWNT cap and scoring her first senior team goal.
At the U-17 Women’s NTC Invitational in Carson, Calif., the US defeated England 2-0 on Thursday, and then defeated South Korea 2-0 on Saturday. Sydney Zandi (Penn Fusion; West Chester, Pa.) started and played 65 minutes in the win over England, then started and played 63 minutes in the win over South Korea, getting the assist on the second goal.
Soccer Wire talks to Glenn Crooks, the coach, columnist, and satellite radio show host about US Soccer’s soon to be unveiled girls’ development academy.
At ESPN, Noah Davis writes it is time to phase Jermaine Jones out of the USMNT.
Elsewhere
Michel Platini’s appeal against his eight-year ban will be heard today.
On Friday, CONCACAF announced its “collective support for FIFA’s reform proposals.”
At Reuters, more on the presentations from the FIFA presidential candidates to CONCACAF delegates last week. The report includes this fun line: “With FIFA having suspended payments to CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, the delegates accustomed to a five-star life made do with meal vouchers and glasses of water in the lobby.” Poor fellows.
From Reuters: “The soccer association chiefs of 13 European countries that met in Belgrade on Saturday have pledged unanimous support to Gianni Infantino in his bid to become FIFA president, the Serbian FA (FSS) said in a statement.”
From Reuters: “FIFA presidential candidate Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa plans to keep the world soccer body’s headquarters in Zurich and retain the name ‘FIFA’ if he wins the race for the game’s top job later this month.”
From PA Sport: “FIFA presidency candidate Sheikh Salman has denied the Bahrain FA under his control had prior suspicions of the scam that saw its national team play a fake Togo side in 2010.”
Can’t help but feel sorry for Shipp. Classy farewell message.
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Not a shock about Martins. He’s getting older and has always had a “I’ll play for whoever pays me the most” vibe throughout his career. The league will definitely miss his talent.
+1 on Shipp.
The Brotherly Game author mentions Anthony Ujah as a desired striker. In a heartbeat. Darn those pesky multi-million dollar transfer fees. (Transfermarkt.com has him at ~$6M U.S.)
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But just for kicks and giggles:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qMip4TcMcoQ
on Twitter? Or where was the rumor posted?
Sorry. It was not a rumor. It was a desire expressed by the Brotherly Game writer.
It’s an oddly slow day here at PSP.
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El P—I finally read the three-part series by Liviu Bird over at the SI web site. ‘Twas interesting. Thanks for the recommendation.
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Here is what stood out to me: “[But] the reality is that there are a lot of people that need an F [coaching license], that need an E and need a D because that’s where the majority of players [are] of the over 4,000,000 youth players that we have,” Mooney said.
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“… it would be great to have better educated coaches working with players at younger ages…”
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It feels like we are 30 years away from getting to the place where all U8 coaches to have F licenses, and up the ranks from there. My children’s league still has coaches who never even played the game.
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One of these days, there will have to be a bite-the-bullet moment where it becomes a requirement. And when that day comes, pay-to-play will begin to collapse. My guess: it’s gone within 10-12 years of such a requirement being instituted.
Good insights…I for one think the F License should be mandatory and free. My local club pays for it so that is helpful but not all clubs do.
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The base of our pyramid is huge and has the ability to be strong… this notion of just letting kids play is nonsensical… if kids actually played the game that would be one thing but with how little children actually play… we need a firm infrastructure to teach the game from… and it starts with the simplest of all mantras as the youngest levels…. 2 touch minimum….still WAY too much kicking of the ball.
You’re all forgetting one key ingredient: Adults who want to devote the time. There are not enough with a vested interest and who decide to dedicate the time.
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Cross that hurdle, and you’ll make headway. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon.
Hence, the 30 years comment.
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Requiring the coaching licenses may shrink the pool of families, but improve the development of the smaller pool of players that remain.
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It becomes more of a machine than the “I’m looking for something for my child to do” default activity that some regard it as today.
Is that really the worst case scenario? We have millions of obese children. Maybe “I’m looking for something for my child to do” is better than having them play games on their phone.
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There needs to be a solution that allows both conditions to be met.
I got nothing today… other than what a great weekend of football.
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I know we are busy folk and finding time to watch games with children and activities is daunting… but if you have a child who plays the game and loves playing the game finding a way to get kids watching the best players and teams in the world compete is a learning lesson without rival..
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the advent of DVR and Tivo helps this…I am always working back through time in 15 minute increments it seems, to etch out caveats of space for me and my children to watch the brilliance of a Neymar flick over the head of two hapless Celta defenders or a Danny Welbeck improbable last minute saving of Arsenal’s season… the feeling of joy and rewinding and replaying are amazing. Ultimately when a free play pick up happens and some kid beats my 3rd born to Messi I float away in bliss when he says, ‘Okay, I’ll be Rakitic or Rabiot.’ SO much to glean from our greatest players in the world…the pause the pace the creative spark the nuance the peace then vim and vigor… so much to love.
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After Jamie Vardy scored from the spot and exploded to his home stands I saw a poor lady get steamrolled along the touchline and jammed into the retaining wall by a crush of zealous fans and while I was a bit nervous for her at first, I saw the look of joy on her face when she resurfaced and showed my kids a few times this utter love and pandemonium… FUTBOL… unlike anything in the world. Happy President’s Day friends.
I thought the same thing watching the game…but up she pops and could not have cared less! My son was coached by a guy who never played…we moved to a “lower” team. Coached by a player/ref. The boy blossomed.. He no longer plays. But for 4 years he really loved the game…had fun playing and although his skill was not great. His enjoyment of the game was all he needed!
The Crew’s new kits are truly terrible, but credit to the team and players for having some fun with it:
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https://amp.twimg.com/v/52045c07-d904-4ec8-a38e-d2412aa02f85