Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union

Pick a storyline to start from:

• After Tranquillo Barnetta scored the go-ahead goal off of a well worked play in the 52nd minute, the Union were denied the chance to score again from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after Warren Creavalle was clearly cut down by Orlando’s David Mateos (video)…
• Andre Blake saved a Kaka penalty kick in the first half of Wednesday’s game in Orlando to keep the Union in the match before being clobbered by Cyle Larin in the second half in what the ref saw as no foul, setting up Orlando’s tying goal from Kevin Molino…
• Orlando took a 2-1 lead against the Union on Wednesday night off of a goal that began with a clear foul from Kaka on Keegan Rosenberry before Cyle Larin’s attempt appeared to not cross the goal line and the ball was cleared by Fabinho following Andre Blake’s fine reaction save…
• Ken Tribbett came on as a sub in the second half of the Union’s road game against Orlando City, contributing an assist on the Union’s first goal before scoring his first ever MLS goal, the equalizer in Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw.

Listening to Jim Curtin’s postgame comments after Wednesday’s, I had to sympathize with the Union coach, who was stuck between praising his team for persevering after first giving up the lead and then coming back to draw in a tough environment against a good team, and having to diplomatically comment on what was a howler of a night from the game’s referee, Sorin Stoica.

On the one hand, Curtin said, “I give my guys a lot of credit on the night, going down a goal, coming back, showing a lot of character. We’ve proven now we can get points home and away, which is the sign of a good team.”

On the other hand, Curtin said,

I thought at 1-0, the game changed on a…we’ll call it a mistake, the non PK call where Warren Creavalle gets two-footed in the box. Again, mistakes are going to happen from referees…It got a little out of hand there and, again, it’s a difficult league to referee in, but today it was a tough one…Yeah, there was a lot of, a lot of…These are hard decisions; I will give [the referees] the benefit of the doubt on that [but] I still think they get some wrong — a lot wrong on the night. But, it’s hard, players make mistakes, too, coaches make mistakes — and I think the refs should be accountable, as well. I think he had an off night — that’s the nicest way I can put it without getting myself in trouble…

[The first Orlando goal], It’s a quick transition, right, so they play a long ball over the top and now three guys go to it. [The ref] was at midfield when that foul happens, so I don’t think he has a fair view of it. So, keeping up with things is difficult in an end-to-end game like that. I don’t know if he got it right, I’ll have to look at the tape.

The Warren Creavalle one is embarrassing. That’s a PK and — a red card, actually — if we’re going by the rules of the season and the leaving your feet with the studs showing, that’s the definition a penalty kick and a red card. That changes games; for sure it would have helped us to go up 2-0…

It’s tough. But at the same time, the one over the line, I don’t know if it was over the line. Bang-bang play, you have the crowd into it, and maybe you make a quick judgement. I don’t know if it was right or wrong, but there was a lot of tough ones. They’re not easy calls, I’m not complaining but, at the same time, I think there was some things that happened out there tonight.

So, let’s settle for this: Battling a hostile crowd, a tough Orlando side, and too much questionable officiating, the Union extended their unbeaten streak to six games, and their first place lead in the Eastern Conference to two points, in a gutsy come-from-behind 2-2 draw. Up next on Saturday is a meeting in Colorado against the first place in the Western Conference Rapids.

By the way, we’re still waiting for word on the seriousness of Josh Yaro’s shoulder injury. We’ll let you know when we find out.

Recaps and reports from PSP (recap, postgame quotes), Philadelphia Union, Delco Times, CSN Philly, Philly Soccer News, Brotherly Game (recap, commentary), Pattison Ave, Vavel, MLSsoccer.com (recap, Union, Orlando), Orlando City, Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Soccer News, The Mane Land (recap, ratings), Orlando Soccer Journal, O-Town’s 11, Goal.com, SBI, Pro Soccer Talk,  AFP, and the AP. USA Today has a photo gallery from the game.

Section 215 on how the Union is getting results without a superstar.

At American Soccer Analysis, a ranking of MLS goalkeepers has Andre Blake at No. 9: “Philadelphia probably aren’t as bad as many had guessed, and Blake is pretty decent at extension saves so at least he gets to showcase those.” With respect, have you, you know, looked at the standings, watched this team, or watched Andre Blake?

At Brotherly Game, Jared Young has his weekly player ratings comparison, this time for the win over DC United.

Bethlehem Steel FC

Drink up! Bethlehem Steel announced on Wednesday that Revolutions is its official pub partner:

For the remainder of the season, Revolutions will host some away-game viewing parties and post game celebrations with food and drink specials joined by the company of a Steel FC player. Revolutions will also attend some Steel FC home matches and participate in the pre-game fan fest.

As part of the partnership, Season Ticket Members will receive a 10 percent discount on food and beverages at Revolutions by showing their Steel FC member card.

Philadelphia Union Academy

Union Academy defender Rayshaun McGann started and finished in the US U-17’s 2-1 loss after extra time to South Korea in the AIFF Youth Championship final on Wednesday in Goa, India. The US, who equalized in the 31st minute, went down to ten men after a red card in the 54th minute. Level at 1-1 after regulation time, South Korea scored what proved to be the winner in the 114th minute. The 2017 U-17 World Cup will be hosted by India. Match reports at AAIF and Top Drawer Soccer,

PDL

Ocean City Nor’easters fell 4-2 on the road to Jersey Express on Wednesday evening. Miguel Jaime scored both Nor’easters goals. More at Press of Atlantic City.

Lehigh Valley United Sonic fell 2-0 at home to Evergreen FC.

Reading United midfielder Paul Marie has been named to the PDL Team of the Week for his two goal effort in last weekend’s 5-0 road win over Evergreen FC.

Local

At Philly.com, Jonathan Tannenwald has more on this weekend’s Street Soccer USA Philadelphia Cup at the Art Museum. Chandrima Chatterjee, co-founder and program director of Street Soccer USA’s Philadelphia chapter, says, “A lot of people said no to us at the beginning. A lot of shelters were like,’No one’s going to want to play soccer in Philadelphia. This is a basketball town. You’re not going to get anybody.’ What we realized is, all we have to do is show up week after week, and people will come. People will start to accept you. People will start to give you the chance…Soccer is the greatest equalizer. You don’t need much. You only need a few people and a ball, and a little place to play. It’s fun. It’s engaging. It builds so much confidence.”

Brittany Basinger (Penn State) and Tyler Lussi (Princeton) have been called up by the US U-23 WNT for the four-team U-23 Women’s Nordic Tournament being held at the St. Georges Park training center in England, May 28-June 8. The team will face their counterparts from Sweden, Norway, and England.

MLS

Houston Dynamo and head coach Owen Coyle have mutually agreed to part ways: “The second-year head coach expressed a desire to be closer to his family in England and the club accommodated the request.” The announcement from the Dynamo continues: “Assistant coaches Wade Barrett, Paul Caffrey and Paul Rogers will manage the Dynamo in Saturday’s game at Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Assistant coach Sandy Stewart has also elected to leave the organization. Over the next few days, the club will evaluate plans for the remainder of the season and make decisions that will be announced in the near future.” Houston are currently last place in the Western Conference with a 3-7-2 record, 19th in the full table.

DC United and Finnish midfielder Markus Halsti have mutually agreed to a contract termination.

Sebastian Giovinco is being commendably philosophical about being left off of Italy’s roster for the Euros: “I was upset about it, but it’s useless to think about. I need to keep going and I need to keep improving so I can try and find my place back on the national team…I’ve always said and I’ll continue to say the league is constantly growing. Right now I feel like it’s one of the most beautiful leagues.”

Aw, now Cristiano Ronaldo says he wants a contract extension so he can retire at Real Madrid. What’s Robbie Keane going to do now?

Here’s a first look at the plans for the stadium Minnesota United is looking to build in St. Paul.

US

A 90th minute goal from Darlington Nagbe, his first for the US (and a tidy goal it was), made the difference as the US defeated Ecuador in front of a sparse crowd in Frisco on Wednesday night. The US continues its preparations for the Copa America on Saturday when it hosts Bolivia in Kansas City (8 pm: FS1, UniMas, UDN).

Recaps and reports from PSP, US Soccer, MLSsoccer.com (recap, player ratings), ESPN (commentary, player ratings), Fox Soccer (commentary), CBS Sports, SI (analysis), ASN (recap, analysis, player ratings), Soccer America (player ratings), Goal.com (recap, report, commentary, player ratings), Pro Soccer Talk (recap, player ratings), Vavel, and the AP.

Pulisic! ESPN reports: “Seventeen-year-old Christian Pulisic could start for the United States when the Copa America Centenario kicks off next week, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said after Wednesday’s 1-0 friendly win over Ecuador.” Said Klinsmann,

Everybody’s in contention. It’s nice to see a youngster like Christian having no fear, having confidence. It’s also a confidence given by his teammates. He can make mistakes but he also has that change of pace. He has the technique. He’s not overthinking the situation.

Said Pulisic!, “That’s what I’m pushing for. We have 23 very strong players. Of course everyone wants to start. That’s the goal, but I just want to be successful with the team. Whether that’s starting or that’s coming off the bench that’s fine by me.”

Jozy Altidore won’t be playing in the Copa America, but the Jozy Altidore Foundation is funding broadcasts “of all three (3) group-stage matches featuring both the United States and Haiti at locations across the country, as well the tournament’s semifinal games and championship, for a total of nine (9) matches.” Well done, sir.

The match officials for the Copa America have been announced, and three Americans are among them: Mark Geiger (zing!), Jair Marrufo, and Armando Villareal. Peter Manikowski, Corey Rockwell, and Corey Parker have also been named as assistant referees.

The Copa America organizing committee also announced on Wednesday the Hawk-Eye goal-line technology will be used for all of the tournament’s matches.

The USWNT will play South Africa in the first of two Olympics send off games on July 9 at Soldier Field in Chicago. An date, opponent, and venue for the second send-off game will be announced shortly. The US opens play in the Olympics on August 3 against New Zealand.

Arguments in the USWNT’s wage discrimination case begin in federal court today in Chicago.

Elsewhere

The AP reports, “France’s interior minister says violent labor protests and strikes causing gas shortages won’t jeopardize the upcoming European Championship or other sporting events.”

Reuters reports, “Online debate raged in Germany on Wednesday after supporters of anti-Islam group Pegida criticized a confectioner’s decision to print images of non-white soccer players on its chocolate bars instead of the usual picture of a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy.”