Daily news roundups

“A great exercise”: Union-Crystal Palace draw, Reading United clinches division title, more

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

No one scored but, hey, as far as I could tell, no one got hurt.

The Union played Crystal Palace to a 0-0 draw in Wednesday’s friendly. Jim Curtin said after the match, “I thought it was a great exercise for our guys. You think about your preparation now for Red Bull, and the way that Crystal Palace pressed and pushed us in the first and second half was very good.” Honestly, the Union could’ve had several goals in the first half but for a combination of unlucky and poor finishing.

In the second half, Crystal Palace could’ve had a few goals themselves, but for some fine saves by the Union’s Matt Jones. Alan Pardew certainly noticed: “We lacked a little bit of sharpness at the cutting edge, but [Philadelphia] still needed their ‘keeper to make three fabulous saves second half, down to his left-hand side. They really were top draw — two of them, for sure.” They really were some great saves.

In the end, it was good to see some Union faces that have seen little or no first team playing time. And, like I said, it looked like no one got hurt. On to the Red Bulls!

Recaps and reports at PSP (recap, postgame), Philadelphia Union, Philly.com, Delco Times (recap, report), CSN PhillyPhilly Soccer News, Brotherly Game (recap, commentary), Prost AmerikaVavel, MLSsoccer.com, Crystal Palace, Croydon Advertiser (1, 2, 3Evening StandardDaily Mail, The MirrorSky Sports, Holmesdale.netGoal.com, SBI, and Sports Mole.   Getty Images has a photo gallery from the game.

Before the game, the Union announced Derrick Jones and Ryan Richter had been signed to short-term contracts for the game. The announcement noted, “MLS clubs may sign players from their USL affiliate to short-term agreements (up to four-day contracts) for CONCACAF Champions League, AMWAY Canadian Championship, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and exhibition matches. An MLS club may sign a player to a maximum of four short-term agreements each season (maximum of 16 days).”

Philly Voice has quotes from Crystal Palace winger Jason Puncheon and right back Joel Ward from before Wednesday’s game.

Gotta love this headline from London newspaper the Croydon Advertiser after last night’s game: “Did Crystal Palace play in the most beautiful stadium in the world?”

Soccer America looks at the tight standings at the top of the Eastern Conference and observes, “The Eastern Conference takes a lot of ridicule for producing so many ‘top’ teams just above or below the .500 mark. But for the next two weekends at least, it should generate some insanely intense games.” The Union play third place NYRB at home on Sunday before going on the road to face New England Revolution in the US Open Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, then travelling again to face Montreal the following Saturday. Let’s hope the Union comes out on top of theirs.

At Brotherly Game, Jared Young has his weekly player ratings comparison following the Union’s win last weekend over DC.

At MLSsoccer.com, a “Get Me In There” video documentary sponsored by Heineken on the Sons of Ben.

Bethlehem Steel FC

Bethlehem Steel host Wilmington Hammerheads today at the bizarre kickoff time of noon (YouTube). Previews at Bethlehem Steel (printvideo), USLsoccer.com, WFMZ, and Brotherly Game.

PDL

Reading United thumped Jersey Express 4-0 away on Wednesday to clinch the Mid-Atlantic Division title and a place in the PDL playoffs. Goals were scored by Ismael Noumansana (35th minute), Jelani Pieters (47th minute), Frantzdy Pierrot (67th minute), and Aaron Malloy (89th minute) as the team is now on a three-game win streak heading into Sunday’s regular season finale at home against Lehigh Valley United.

The division title is the team’s first since 2010 with a squad that included Ray Gaddis and CJ Sapong, as well as former Union man Andrew Wenger. Reading United head coach Stephen Hogan, who also played on the 2010 squad, said of clinching the division title and a playoff spot, “It’s unbelievable. To win the division title again after six years, it’s obviously amazing. That’s where the program is, and that’s where the program should be.” It will be the team’s ninth playoff appearance in the last ten years.

PDL announced its team of the week on Wednesday and it includes Reading midfielder Rayane Boukemia and Ocean City Nor’easters defender Ryan Howe.

At the Ocean City Nor’easters site, a profile piece on Chevaughn “Chevy” Walsh, who has set a new franchise record of 13 regular season goals, which ties him for the league leader in goals scored with one game remaining in the regular season, and is also the first Ocean City player to score two hat tricks in one season.

Local

At Philly.com, Sam Donnellon on how Carli Lloyd “is a rock star for young female athletes, an endorsement machine who has thus far remained squeaky clean.”

Shea Moyer (M: FC Revolution; Wyomissing, Pa.) came on in the 84th minute in the US U-18 WNT’s 1-0 loss to England on Wednesday. The teams face off again at England’s national training center today.

MLS

In Wednesday night’s game, NYRB, the Union’s next opponent, defeated Orlando, 2-0. The third-place team is now two points behind the second place Union’s 29 points going into Sunday’s game at Talen Energy Stadium. Fourth place Montreal (26 points), whom the Union face on the road on July 23, drew 1-1 on the road with Portland, coming from behind with a goal in the 44th minute after former Union man Jack McInerney opened the scoring in the 14th minute: “Jack McInerney made no bones about celebrating against his former club, kicking the corner-flag in joy after a well-fought header proved his team’s only goal on the evening.” Fifth place Toronto (24 points) came from behind to draw 1-1 with last place Columbus (17 points). Ninth place Chicago (17 points) defeated fifth place in the Western Conference Kansas City (28 points), 1-0 after severe weather delayed kickoff by an hour and 48 minutes.

In Western Conference Wednesday night matchups, Seattle (20 points) moved into ninth place after a 5-0 demolition of first place Dallas (37 points). Both teams finished with ten players after Dallas defender Maynor Figueroa was sent off in the 4th minute for denial of a goalscoring opportunity, and Clint Dempsey was shown a questionable red card for violent conduct after earlier scoring a goal and an assist. Third place Salt Lake (29 points), who were able to name only 16 players to the gameday roster due to injuries, fell 2-0 on the road to sixth place Vancouver (28 points) after the Whitecaps scored two first-half goals in the span of three minutes.

San Jose Earthquakes defender Clarence Goodson will undergo surgery for a herniated disc today and will miss the rest of the season.

Salt Lake have loaned forward Devon Sandoval to NASL-side Rayo OKC for the remainder of the 2016 season.

US

In the latest FIFA rankings, the USMNT moves up six spots to No. 25. Mexico moves up two spots to No. 14.

Elsewhere

NBC has announced the broadcast schedule for the first two months of the 2016-17 Premier League season.

Reuters reports, “China, backed by its richest man, has struck a deal with FIFA to host the first China Cup from next year, a competition that will pit its national side against three international ‘first-class’ teams – and hopefully pave the way to football glory.”

ESPN reports, “The French league is working on plans to introduce an All-Star game next season that would see the best local players taking on the best imports to Ligue 1.”

Oh, Red Bull.

Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, on her brother’s injury in the Euro 2016 final: “These tears I cried for my wounded brother were like daggers to the heart, and we all cried with him for the awful pain we had together. But God is great and just as our savior Jesus Christ suffered on the cross for a better world for us, Cristiano cried in the pain of not being able to help his teammates and his beloved people. But God is just and they deservedly lifted the trophy, and fulfilled the dream; we are champions.” OK, then.

25 Comments

  1. Andy Muenz says:

    It was nice to see the Union be able to truly play equally with a Premier League team, although you could tell the CP passing was in preseason form.
    .
    I thought it was interesting that Curtin played both right center backs in the first half and then switched to the LCB’s in the second. I’m guessing he didn’t want either RCB to lose confidence in being told they are 2nd choice since both have their upsides and downsides.
    .
    Going back to Dan’s article yesterday, I remember at least one time where CJ was manhandled and it was called a foul that probably wouldn’t have been whistled in MLS.
    .
    And I thought the Rosenberry throw in and CJ’s pass back to Restrepo were fantastic. Unfortunately, the shot was closer to the goalpost on the scoreboard than to the one on the field. That was right after a couple of crosses that reminded me of the old Fabhino. Good night for him to get those out of his system.

    • Interesting take on the CBs, and definitely a possibility. I was thinking they held Marquez back for the second group to have a slightly more seasoned presence there to lead and organize that back line with Anderson and Washington coming on in the second half.

      • Section 114 (Formerly) says:

        My read was a little different. I thought it made sense to get Yaro and Tribbett some time together just for kicks, so that they are ready for Marquez days off (whether by coach choice, suspension, or knock).

  2. This league is crazy. How does Seattle go and demolish Dallas 5 – 0? Dallas has been that kind of team though. dominant and then when they lose, they lose with style.

  3. I think what the Croydon Advertiser meant was whether Crystal Palace had played in the world’s most SCENIC stadium, but in any case it’s an awfully nice shout-out and I’ll take it. :o)

    • We’re fortunate to have a great stadium, but I think they answered their own question when they posted those other stadium pictures. Floating stadium? Sign me up. And can’t you see the Rockies from inside Rio Tinto?

    • That was pretty cool and our venue is nice, but not even close to the ones they pictured!

  4. Powerful, dramatic stuff from Ronaldo’s sister. It’s good to see the rest of the family is as humble and grounded as Cristiano himself.

  5. Checked out that Croydon Advertiser article. There is a poll at the bottom to vote “Which stadium is the most picturesque?”.
    .
    Went full homer and voted for Talen, might as well try to draw some overseas attention to the team…

    • Andy Muenz says:

      I went homer too. Talen has at 73% of the vote!

      • I imagine that means that the Palace fans split their votes amongst the other stadiums, and we all just voted like homers. Good job PSP readers!

  6. Nova 66-64 says:

    Selhurst Park was my favorite venue to watch soccer in England. It was like going to Fenway Park, nothing fancy but a stadium right in the neighborhood.

    • I thought the same thing. Only been once, but you’re just walking through the neighborhood, turn a corner and there’s a big stadium right there. Thought it was very cool.
      .
      I thought Anfield was that way too, which is coincidental since the BoSox owners also own Liverpool.
      .
      Bayern Munich’s and Man City’s stadiums reminded me more of traditional American stadiums. They’re a little outside of any neighborhoods and are these monstrosities that clearly stick out. They also don’t have neighborhoods right across the street.
      .
      Would be really cool if the Union and developers are able to build up the area around the stadium because as scottso says above, the stadium is incredibly scenic.

      • Or build the next stadium in 15 years in Philadelphia…

      • I agree, that would be awesome.
        .
        I still wish they had put the stadium in the city proper to begin with, but I think they’ve made too much of a commitment to Chester to leave in 15 years. I also remember reading an article that said the club signed a 50 year lease for the stadium. I don’t know the legal implications with breaking that.
        .
        Possible best case scenario would be they keep the practice facility in Chester, sell/rent their use of the stadium to local colleges for any and all sports, then build a stadium in the city limits. Fifteen years is a pretty short timeline though.

    • ebradlee10 says:

      My buddy’s girlfriend built the sculpture that is just outside Selhurst Park.

    • pragmatist says:

      I haven’t been, but Goodison Park looks like it’s part of the town. Just a big gray wall that says “Everton Reception” above some doors.
      Pretty cool, and the definition of what people wished for this franchise.
      .
      That said, PPL (sticking with it) does have great views from inside.

  7. Scott of Nazareth says:

    Apparently last nights call ups didn’t have too much of an effect on BSFC… Up 3-0 in 2nd half.

    What is the reason for the mid day-mid week game?

    • no lights for night games. need to work in a mid-week game schedule-wise. likely to be at least one or more a season. be glad they can’t compete in Open Cup matches: they’d all be mid-week, mid-day.

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