Photo: Paul Rudderow
A note to readers
Last weekend, occasional PSP contributor Kevin Kinkead offended a number of people with a poor joke on his personal Twitter account that was meant to provide commentary on Mexican soccer fans’ repeated use in a chant of an offensive Spanish-language word. The joke failed miserably, particularly given its timing after the recent events in Orlando and the slur’s perceived homophobic undertones, and obviously does not reflect our sentiments. As our readers well know, PSP has always been progressive in support of efforts to address racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia in the world’s game.
We have known Kevin for a long time. We know he is not a bigot, and we see very clearly what he intended to do with his ill-advised joke. So we will not cast him off for saying one stupid thing on the Internet, and we will work with him again in the future. Kevin has already paid the price professionally for his mistake, and we do not believe it is an appropriate response for this all-volunteer, unpaid publication to cut ties with him over something that, as one PSP reader observed, was done without malice.
As always, we welcome your comments. If good is to come from this, it is our hope it will come in the form of thoughtful and respectful discussion.
Philadelphia Union
The Union play their fourth game in 11 days on Saturday when they host Vancouver Whitecaps (7 pm: TCN, MLS Live, Direct Kick).
Our preview for Saturday’s game will be posted later today. In the meanwhile check out our quick reference and previews at Philadelphia Union (scouting report), Brotherly Game, MLSsoccer.com, Vancouver Whitecaps, and the Canadian Press.
More on Wednesday night’s win over Chicago at Delco Times, Philly Soccer News, and Brotherly Game.
In the latest numbers from the fan vote for the All-Star Game, Andre Blake remains at No. 1 for goalkeepers on the provisional Fan XI, while Keegan Rosenberry moves up one spot to No. 3 among the defenders. Among forwards, CJ Sapong remains at No. 5.
Roland Alberg has been voted TheCup.us’s Player of the Round for Round Four of the US Open Cup. Alberg scored two goals in the Union’s 3-2 win over Harrisburg, including a stunning free kick winner in stoppage time.
CSN Philly on Alberg stepping up following the departure of Vincent Nogueira.
Philly.com on Fabian Herbers filling in for the injured CJ Sapong.
At American Soccer Analysis, Bill Reno has Andre Blake at No. 2 in the Goalkeeper of the Year Award Power Rankings.
Bethlehem Steel FC
Bethlehem Steel is on the road to face DC United affiliate Richmond Kickers on Saturday at 7 pm (YouTube). Look for our preview later today. In the meanwhile Bethlehem Steel FC and Unauthorized Bethlehem Steel FC Blog have previews.
The USL has named Perry Van der Beck Vice President of Competition & Operations.
Philadelphia Union Academy
At the US Soccer Development Academy playoffs in Frisco, the Union U-18s face Chicago Fire today at 7:30 pm. The team opened the playoffs with a 2-0 win over Beachside SC on Wednesday.
Today at 5 pm, the Union U-16s, who drew 1-1 with RSL AZ in the USSDA playoffs opener on Wednesday, face Kendall SC.
In the USSDA Showcase in Frisco on Thursday, the Union U-14s thumped Portland Timbers, 4–1. Obafemi Awodesu put the Union on the board in the 9th minute, with Portland equalizing in the 13th minute. Cole Turner scored a brace with tallies in the 36th and 57th minute, with a Portland own goal in the 54th minute adding to the Union scoreline. At the USSDA website, a report on the U-14s 3-1 win over Chicago on Tuesday.
City Islanders FC
City Islanders will look to end a 5-game losing streak in all competitions tonight when they host Charlotte Independence tonight at FNB Field at 7 pm (YouTube). When the teams last met on April 2 in Charlotte, the City Islanders lost, 2-1. Preview at City Islanders and Charlotte Independence.
Tonight’s game will be followed by fireworks.
PDL
First place in the Mid-Atlantic Division Reading United hosts second place Ocean City Nor’easters on Saturday at 7 pm. Reading fell 1-0 at home to Lehigh Valley United on Wednesday, while Ocean City thumped Evergreen FC 6-1 on the road on Tuesday.
Sixth in the Mid-Atlantic Division Lehigh Valley United is on the road to face fourth place Jersey Express on Sunday at 7 pm.
Local
CB East’s Evan Vare has been named to the 2015-16 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Boys Soccer First Team, as selected by USA Today High School Sports. Haverford School’s and Philadelphia Union Academy’s Shane Bradley was named to the second team. CB East’s Mike Gorni was named the ALL-USA Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.
MLS
Columbus Crew’s Cedrick Mabwati is questionable for Saturday’s game against NYRB after contracting malaria while on national team duty with Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kansas City has waived midfielder Jordi Quintilla, freeing up an international roster spot.
FC Dallas has sold Homegrown Player Alex Zendejas to Chivas de Guadalajara.
MLSsoccer.com talks to James Riley about his new position as the league’s director of player relations.
NWSL
A stoppage time goal from Jasmyne Spencer saw fifth place Orlando Pride defeat ninth place Houston Dash 1-0 on Thursday night.
US
The US faces Colombia in Arizona on Saturday in the Copa America Centenario Third Place Game (8 pm: FX, Fox Soccer 2Go, Univision, UDN).
Previews from Goal.com (preview, commentary), Soccer America, MLSsoccer.com, and Press Association.
At Los Angeles Times, Kevin Baxter writes,
With two games still to play, the Copa America Centenario is already the most successful edition of the world’s oldest international soccer tournament, having smashed records for attendance, television viewership, digital and social media engagement and revenue…
Whether that’s enough to make the U.S. the permanent home of a combined North-South American soccer championship remains to be seen; that would require a formal agreement between CONMEBOL, the federation that oversees soccer in South America, and CONCACAF, the governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean.
“No conversations have taken place yet,” Gulati said, “[but] clearly the success of this event gives people a lot to talk about.”
More Klinsmann assessments from ESPN, Soccer America,
Right then, Jurgen Klinsmann is not be considered for the Southampton manager job. Noted.
Pulisic! And Messi!
Jill Ellis has announced a 24-player roster for the friendly against South Africa in Chicago on July 9. Among those named are Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe: “U.S. co-captain Carli Lloyd is back on the roster after missing the Japan matches with a knee injury and should be available for selection. Also on the roster for the first time since last December is midfielder Megan Rapinoe, who is continuing her recovery from ACL surgery. Rapinoe is in camp for training and evaluation and will not play in the match.” The USWNT plays Costa Rica in Kansas City on July 22 in its final warm-up game before the start of the Olympic tournament in Brazil, for which it will bring 18 players. More on Lloyd’s return at Philly.com.
Tech Insider calls the redesign of the US Soccer logo one of the best redesigns of the year. I’m still not a fan. The redesign of the Premier League logo also made the list.
Elsewhere
Britain has voted to leave the European Union. What that could mean for the Premier League at Sky Sports, Goal.com, and Pro Soccer Talk.
The AP reports, “The Court of Arbitration has rejected Galatasaray’s bid to overturn its one-season ban from UEFA competitions for breaking financial fair play rules.”
Reuters reports, “The head of Russia’s football supporters’ association on Thursday said Russian fans were the victims of “politicized” treatment at Euro 2016 and blamed French authorities for violence.”
Also from Reuters, “Scientists at Qatar University are testing 3D-printed models of football stadiums that Qatar is building for the 2022 World Cup to see if they can endure the Gulf state’s punishing desert climate.”
The AP reports, “A Romanian court has sentenced the former chairman of the Romanian Professional Football League to seven years in prison for tax evasion, embezzlement, and money laundering.”
Check out the latest Footy on the Telly for listings of live soccer on TV, online, and on satellite radio for the upcoming week.
Kevin’s always been a bit edgy, but he’s also always been a very honest reporter. Hopefully everyone is able to move on.
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As always, I blame social media. So much intent is lost without actual human interaction.
Agree. I wish Kevin the best
As always I blame social media…. Interesting perspective. Social media doesn’t exist without the people interacting….. thereby responsiblity.
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Also it is arguable if you are unable to clarify intent we need to be even more careful yes?
Social Media encourages a stream of consciousness coupled with a need for immediacy. Our Microwave Society has lost patience, particularly when it is combined with the Culture of Likes.
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All of this causes the age-old issue of “speaking before you think.” The big problem is that even if you try to delete it, the internet never forgets.
The social media age punishes mistakes like messi inside the penalty area. We’ve all said things we later (and in some cases immediately) regret. Unfortunately, there are no take backs on twitter and no acknowledgement of intent and character of the person. I feel for him, especially since you know there’s a group of frat boys somewhere embracing a blatantly racist chant as part of a “tradition”
I vouched for him on Twitter.
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Doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be logical repercussions as well- which it seems, from my limited understanding to be… i.e. changed Twitter handle.
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As for all the high and mighty mistake free people out there…..look out, the world is always watching — all the time— the price of admission to play.
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That said… when MAXI tweeted ARG 4 – Kinkheads 0 — I laughed roundly- because really, it was a perfect response.
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As for ‘you or me’… remember we’re all a poorly timed or constructed thought away from being called a bigot or racist. KK comment comes as a teachable moment.
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“We are the master of our words till they leave our lips, then their slave forever.” An old Italian guy I knew.
I guess malaria makes dengue fever look like a common cold…
not really, malaria can range from mild to fatal but is treatable, dengue is not fatal the first time around but most affected individuals sort of wish they were dead
Am looking forward to see how the USA team looks on Saturday. If they’ll play like on Tuesday there should be no good reason to keep Klinsmann. Good observation at ESPNFC: “The hope of the Klinsmann era was that he would somehow blend the hard-working American mentality of past teams with the skill sets of young, exciting, emerging players, developing some sort of hybrid style. That’s why he was hired. During the past fortnight, that ambition was abandoned.”
Vote for SKC players for the All-Star game so that they will be nice and tired when we play them couple days later!
Good thought except that unless they changed the schedule, SKC comes to town at the end of August…My recommendation is voting for RSL players 🙂
Good point! Thanks for correcting my error.
That’s next level influencing there! Gotta admit it’s nice to have Andre and Rosenberry play themselves into the allstar game
Can we also acknowledge that the people who were most upset by this were Mexican soccer fans on twitter who just lost 7-0 and they have been leaving deplorable comments on virtually any tweet Kevin sends out?
I am by no means defending Kevin. He deals with people on social media every day and should have known better, but its absurd that he is facing more consequences for an ironic joke that was supposed to criticize the use of the word than the Mexican soccer federation is for its fans routine behavior re the word.
I think those most upset were a wide sample size of the Twitter population not just the mexican contingent… but like everything else, its not just going to slip away… in time yes when the next news cycle comes around… but this is how it goes man.
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You want to make broad statements in a bar with people who know you, with buddies at a game, where context can be laid out, where people can see the look of irony in your eyes or the smirk of someone busting balls– in short you want to walk the line of witty….. that’s one thing…. better be ready to pay if you choose put it in 140 characters then offer a half ass retraction… when people come back at you.
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We ‘know’ him as a ‘stand up guy’ and fine journalist… 9 billion others have no idea the intended meaning least of all those people on the sharp side of razor’s edge.
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Whatever… good to discuss.
Apologies. I was more referencing the people on twitter who contacted CBS twitter accounts re the comments. What’s done is done though.
well said el P
This was my point earlier. The difference between the written word and and spoken word can be massive. That was the issue here.
Funny I never stopped to hear the rest of argument for a joint CONMEBOL and CONCACAF Copa where the event is permanently stationed in the USA. Just liked the general idea…
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My word are we a pretentious, self righteous money hoarding civilization / nation.
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Well…let’s see… we cannot create our own organic cultural experience by doing this the ‘right’ way…. so lets hegemonize South America’s …… this is the America I can’t stand.
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In short… stick the permanent US residence of Copa in your rear residence duly noted and jackass responsible Federations.
Reports are that Vincent Nogueira has signed with French second division side Racing Club Strasbourg – any chance the “health reasons” stuff was some kind of con job from the Frenchman so that any new team wanting to sign him would not be put off by any kind of monetary payment owed to Philadelphia Union?
So maybe the clinical diagnosis is: not otherwise specified, homesickness.
something really stinks in this, and it’s not the cassoulet. If the Union falter at all going forward (and they seem to be off to a good start) theres going to be a lot of questions to answer.
This Nogueira Episode certainly sets a far-reaching precedent : Not happy with something at your current club? The amount of playing time you are receiving or, perhaps, the amount of salary you are being paid? No worries, lad – just say you are experiencing “personal problems”!!! … Honoring your end of a professional contract is for suckers. Besides, it’s part of why prospective lawyers go to college in the first place. I, myself, just hope the Frenchman Nogueira finds the elusive sound mind and body stuff he is clearly looking for.
The Union said from the beginning that the problem was not soccer. It was expected that he would sign with a club in France.
Yeah I kind of expected that. Became a huge racing club Strasbourg fan today.
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For those lamenting his behavior as a potential con job, lets remember how Kei Kamara got himself out of his situation in Columbus a few months ago. If vince was truly unhappy here, he could have thrown public tantrums, called out teammates, coaches, and other staff, even held press conferences while doing crunches in his driveway. Instead, he identified a problem, approached management and both sides agreed to this.