Daily news roundups

“Belief”: Union fightback to draw with NYRB, Reading and OC playoff bound, league results, more

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

After a disappointing first half that saw them down 2-0, the Union roared back with two goals in the span of two minutes to draw 2-2 with NYRB on Sunday night, this despite Ilsinho being shown a straight red card minutes after the Union’s tieing goal. It was seventh time this season the Union has rallied after going behind.

“Belief is the word,” Jim Curtin said after the game. “When they walk out on this field, they know they can play with anybody. You’ve seen it now, whether you want to call it the Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, New York City FC; we can go toe-to-toe with anybody, we’re a confident team. But there is belief. If we go down a goal, we’re not worried, there’s no panic, we’re not scared. The guys just keep going, they keep pushing, and they wind up getting rewarded. And, again, really, really happy with how they responded and I’ll go to war with those guys any day.”

The campaign continues with New England on the road on Wednesday in US Open Cup quarterfinal play and then in Montreal in league play on Saturday.

Recaps and reports at PSP (recap, postgame), Philadelphia Union (recap, report), Philly.com, Delco Times, CSN Philly (recap, game notes), 973espn, Philly Soccer News (recap, report), Brotherly Game, Pattison Ave, Prost Amerika, Vavel, Section 215, MLSsoccer.com (recap, Union, NYRB), New York Red Bulls (recap, notes), NJ.com (recap, report), sny.tv, Big Apple Soccer (recap, report, report), Empire of Soccer, Once a Metro (recapanalysis), NY Sports DaySoccer America, Goal.com (recap, report), SBI (recap, Union, NYRB), Pro Soccer Talk, and ESPN.

At Delco Times, Matthew De George notes the brutal stretch of road games the Union are facing: “A scant six home dates fill the rest of July, August, September and October. Subtract the last two weeks at home and the Union have just four home games in a 12-week stretch until the mid-October FIFA international break.”

Also at Delco Times, De George notes last Friday’s morning training session was the first in which Maurice Edu was a full participant since last fall. Edu said, “It’s just nice to be running around again. It’s been a long time, so from that standpoint, it’s definitely good to be back on my feet again and touching the ball and being among the guys, being among the group again. There’s still a long way to go. I still need to get through this rehab and stay focused on the bigger picture, but this is definitely a positive step.”

Jim Curtin says there is no timeline for Edu’s return: “It’ll be up to Mo and his body. He knows his body well. Our medical staff has done an excellent job with him, bringing him along in a smart way. Our performance department has taken over the fitness side of things. It’ll obviously be a joint decision, but mostly it’s Mo’s choice to when he’s ready to fully go and feels 100 percent and feels like himself.”

Edu said, “I don’t really want to (put a timeline on it). I’ll just say as soon as possible. I’d love to be back as soon as possible, but again, it’s just a matter of how this heals, how my body responds. It might be two weeks from now and I feel great, which is amazing. Or it could be a month. I don’t really know the timeframe for it. But these are positive signs.”

The All-Star Game roster was officially unveiled on Sunday with Andre Blake and Keegan Rosenberry on it.

FourFourTwo on why Keegan Rosenberry has played such a vital part for the Union.

At Philly.com, Paul Schwedelson highlights the important role Brian Carroll plays for the Union.

At Philly.com, Jonathan Tannenwald talks to Union broadcaster JP Dellacamera.

Bethlehem Steel FC

Unauthorized Bethlehem Steel FC Blog has a recap of Bethlehem’s 3-0 win last week over Wilmington.

City Islanders

The City Islanders defeated Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-1 on Sunday night to end a nine-game winless streak. The City Islanders are now 1-0-1 in this year’s Keystone Derby series, which concludes August 27 at Harrisburg’s FNB Field. Recaps and reports at City Islanders,  Philly Soccer News (City Islanders, Riverhounds), USLsoccer.com, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Pittsburgh Tribune, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,

PDL

Reading United defeated Lehigh Valley United 1-0 on Sunday to conclude regular season play, Jelani Pieters scoring the lone goal. Match reports at Reading UnitedReading Eagle, and Philly Soccer News. The Mid-Atlantic division champions host Western Massachusetts Pioneers in the first round of the PDL Eastern Conference playoffs on Tuesday at 7 pm.

Ocean City defeated Baltimore Bohemians 3-2 on Sunday to earn a playoff spot for the first time since 2013. Chevaughn Walsh, Miguel Jamie, and Nathan Regis scored for Ocean City in the win, with Walsh’s tally bringing his regular season tally to 14 goals. The Nor’easters will be on the road on Tuesday to face GPS Portland Phoenix.

Local

A body recovered in the Delaware River on Friday is reportedly that of Austin Wylie, the Shipley School soccer player whose abandoned car was found at 5th and Spring Garden on Wednesday. A suicide note was left on his phone before the 17 year old apparently jumped from the Ben Franklin Bridge. More at The Shipley School, Main Line Media News, Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne PatchPhilly.comNBC10,

The La Salle women’s team has released its 2016 schedule.

MLS

In the Eastern Conference, first place NYCFC (33 points, 9-6-6) defeated fourth place Montreal (26 points, 6-5-8) 3-1 on the road. Second place Philadelphia (30 points, 8-6-6) came from behind to draw 2-2 with third place NYRB 28 points, 8-9-4), finishing the game with 10 men. Fifth place Toronto (24 points, 6-7-6) lost 2-1 on the road to nine-men San Jose. Sixth place New England (23 points, 5-7-8) drew 0-0 on the road with Salt Lake. Seventh place DC (22 points, 5-7-7) scored in the 89th minute to draw 1-1 with ninth place Columbus (3-7-9), who finished the game with 10 men. Eighth place Orlando (22 points, 4-5-10) came from behind to draw 2-2 on the road with Vancouver after taking an early lead. Last place Chicago (17 points, 4-9-5) lost 3-1 on the road to Dallas.

In the Western Conference, first place Dallas (40 points, 12-6-4) defeated Chicago, 3-1. Second place Colorado (37 points, 10-2-7) defeated seventh place Kansas City (28 points, 8-10-4), 1-0. Third place LA (32 points, 8-3-8) defeated last place Houston (18 points, 4-9-6), 1-0. Fourth place Salt Lake (30 points, 8-6-6) drew 0-0 with New England. Fifth Place Vancouver (29 points, 8-8-5) drew 2-2 with Orlando. Sixth place Portland (29 points, 7-6-8) defeated ninth place Seattle (20 points, 6-11-2), 3-1. Eighth place San Jose (25 points, 6-6-7) defeated Toronto 2-1 with nine men.

NYCFC have signed Luxembourg defender Maxime Chanot.

New York City defender Shannon Gomez suffered an ACL injury during training last week and is out for the rest of the season.

Vancouver have been busy on the personnel front. On Friday, the club announced the signing of 15-year-old midfielder Alphonso Davies to a multi-year Homegrown Player contract. Before that news, the club announced the loan of left back Sam Adekugbe to Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion through June 2017.  Also on Friday, the club announced Kekuta Manneh had successfully undergone surgery to repair a fifth metatarsal fracture in his right foot.

Atlanta United has signed Trinidad and Tobago forward Kenwyne Jones, formerly of Southampton, Sunderland, Stoke City and Cardiff City.

Will Jason Kreis be the next head coach of Orlando City?

Real Salt Lake has banned a Salt Lake Tribune reporter for negative coverage and conflict of interest. More at Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret NewsRSL SoapboxAwful Announcing,  Inquisitr,

FC Dallas academy teams have won the USSDA U-16 and U-18 championships. It’s the first time an academy team has won both championships.

NWSL

First place Portland 26 points, 7-2-5) lost 3-0 on the road to ninth place Houston (10 points, 3-7-1). Second place Washington (26 points, 8-2-2) defeated eighth place Kansas City (13 points, 3-6-4) 3-2 on the road. Third place Western New York (25 points, 8-4-1) drew 1-1 on the road with seventh place Seattle (17 points, 4-4-5). Fourth place Chicago (21 points, 6-4-3) defeated sixth place Orlando (18 points, 6-7-0) 1-0 on the road. Fifth place Sky Blue (19 points, 5-4-4) defeated last place Boston (4 points, 1-11-1) 3-2 on the road.

The NWSL has issued “a significant fine” to Western New York Flash “for a lack of organizational oversight in both preparing and then operating Frontier Field to the standards of a professional soccer match.” You will recall WNY recently played Seattle on a borrowed Triple A baseball field that NYCFC’s field at Yankee Stadium look positively expansive.

The Kansas City Star looks at the low wages available to most players in the NWSL: “The minimum salary for an NWSL player is $7,200 for the league’s seven-month season — well under the poverty line of $11,880 annually for an individual, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If a player is not on the U.S. women’s national team, and most aren’t, the most she can make in the NWSL is $39,700 for the same time period. The few NWSL players who are also on the U.S. national team can make more than that, but they are the exceptions to the rule that life as a professional women’s soccer player in America is generally one of disparity.”

US

ESPN wonders when the next golden generation of USMNT players will arrive. Also at ESPN, the state of youth development

Shea Moyer (FC Revolution; Wyomissing, Pa.) did not appear in the US U-18 WNT’s 2-2 draw with England on Friday.

Elsewhere

Reuters reports, “More than 4,000 people have been arrested worldwide and more than $13 million seized across Asia in operations targeting illegal gambling during the Euro 2016 football tournament, Interpol said on Monday.”

31 Comments

  1. pragmatist says:

    Some more Rosenberry good press (ESPN Insider subscription required):
    http://www.espnfc.com/united-states/story/2912706/next-up-youngsters-for-usmnt-fc
    .
    .
    Keegan Rosenberry | 22 | D | Philadelphia Union (MLS)
    .
    The former Georgetown standout has been a revelation as the Union’s right back this season. He’s played every minute for the Eastern Conference’s top team (while New York City FC leads the East on points, Philly has a game in hand), and last week was voted into the MLS All-Star team’s starting lineup for the July 28 match against Arsenal. Rosenberry’s one-on-one defending is already ahead of where DeAndre Yedlin’s was two years ago. Considering the paucity of right-back options for the national team after Yedlin, it’s no surprise Rosenberry is on the radar; he trained with the U.S. after the Yanks’ 1-0 win over Paraguay in Philly last month. “He’s as good a candidate long-term for right back for our national team as anybody out there,” Hoyas coach Brian Wiese said.

  2. Andy Muenz says:

    With Ilsinho out on Saturday, Wednesday should be a good opportunity to try and push him 90 minutes in the Open Cup game.

    • There is also a chance that Ilsinho will be suspended for more then one game.
      .
      Per the MLS rules:
      “The Committee will add suspensions and/or fines over and above the mandatory one game suspension for those offenses the Committee deems to be of an egregious or reckless nature, or where the Committee believes it must act to protect player safety or the integrity of the game, including in particular but without limitation to contact above the shoulders through the dangerous use of elbows, forearms or fists.”

      • Andy Muenz says:

        He won’t be suspended Wednesday since it’s a US Open Cup game and not run by MLS. It wasn’t Clint Dempsey attacking the ref reckless. So that’s why I’m suggesting he go 90 so someone else can be rested for Saturday.

      • Yeah I agree 100%. I was just adding that he could be out more then just this Saturday.

      • Old Soccer Coach says:

        If Ilsinho gets more than one, Grella should get equal punishment.

      • pragmatist says:

        Funny…that implies there will be fair and logical decisions made by the league office…
        .
        Don’t hold your breath on that one…

      • Yeah… or that the ref even made a call on Grella. Absolute joke.

      • Zizouisgod says:

        Hey, you never know. The Disciplinary Committee has cracked down on this type of activty in the past and I wouldn’t be shocked if Grella got a retro one game suspension for violent conduct.

        Look at what happened to Piatti going into this weekend.

        On the other hand, RB vs NYC this weekend so perhaps not.

      • Section 114 (Formerly) says:

        It’s not about Grella (a separate atrocity). The Oompa Loompa got tapped and massively over-acted and the guy with the whistle fell for it. I’m beyond expecting them to reverse the red, but an additional suspension? Come on.

      • Anyone else see on the broadcast at least twice they cut to Curtin who was indicating how short Lade was to the 4th official?

      • Yup. Goes along with his post-game comments too.

      • It would be a crime to give multiple games – I get that a hand to the face is pretty much a red by rule, but that was an over the top acting job after Ilsinsho shoved a guy who rode him down the field for 10 yards.

  3. I am not the biggest Brian Carroll fan. I think he serves a purpose and has had a remarkable MLS career, but feel like his best playing days are past him. Having said that, he was the man of the match for me last night. I know Pontius is getting most of the plaudits and he rightfully deserves them, but BC was fantastic. He shut down passing lanes, intercepted passes, and his range of passing was probably the best I’ve ever seen from him in a union jersey. He must have had 5+ long balls that were put on a dime. Yes, his possession game is suspect when he’s pressured and I do get nervous with him being an outlet for our defenders at times, but I thought he had a great match (particularly in the second half, which isn’t saying much considering everyone was pretty terrible in the first half).
    .
    Hats off to BC and credit where credit is due. Hoping he has a couple more games like that before he retires. Also, happy to see him get credit and recognition with that Philly.com article.

    • Andy Muenz says:

      100% agree with you. Several times during the first half I thought he was the only one on the Union playing with any common sense.

    • Old Soccer Coach says:

      I also thought it was the best display of aggressive offensive distribution I have ever seen from BC in a Union jersey.
      .
      If NYRB’s plan was to have us play through him rather than Barnetta, the technical staff anticipated it and prepped BC to take advantage.
      .
      Completely guessing, but it is a logical anticipation after Barnetta was so instrumental in taking them apart in the second half of the open cup game, that they would try to suppress him

    • That left footed ball over the top to a streaking Pontius was pure beauty. Carroll really was sharp with his passing the other night, in addition to his typically solid defensive work.

  4. el Pachyderm says:

    Total loss for this young man who took his life. Sorry buddy.

    • Old Soccer Coach says:

      El P? I guess I’m too literal right at the moment? I need one more hint.

      • The kid from the Main Line Austin Wiley. It is believed he jumped off of the Ben Franklin Bridge. Tragic, tragic.

    • Total loss for the family and for Shipley. The mother and the Shipley coach are totally devastated. My son and some others had dinner with him the night before he jumped after practice. I have a strong feeling it may have been due to several concussions that may have altered his brain.

    • Old Soccer Coach says:

      Now I understand, El P.
      .
      Somehow yours above appeared under the postgame quotes posting.
      .
      While Bill Gates and the Pentagon do not want you to believe it, gremlins run the internet.

  5. On a brighter note. Toronto lost after getting scored on being 2 men up!.
    .
    This Jack Harrison of NYCFC is the real deal. Spent 6 yrs at Manchester United Academy. Then his mother took him to the US (in case soccer would not work out). Chicago could have claimed him but for some reason let him go to NYCFC. Klinsmann better calls him up soon!!!!
    .
    That 15yr old who played for Vancouver is also something else. He had a shot that was unbelievable and just missed the goal. ESPNFC showed a nice interview with him.
    .
    Still recovering from yesterday. What a comeback!

    • Agreed on Harrison. Kid is really good,imagine him and Pulisic on the wings for the USMNT. I believe he has to establish residency in the US for 5 years to become a US citizen and become eligible for USMNT. Or something like that. Like a Nagbe situation, I could be wrong tho.

  6. OneManWolfpack says:

    Just another rant here: it’s amazing how Grella was fouled, won the free kick, then committed the “suplex”, but there was no card – NYRB then got the free kick and the game went on.
    .
    Basically the exact same scenario happens to Ilsinho, and because he “elbowed” a guy he’s given a red. Got fouled, won the free kick, was carded, Union got the free kick, the game went on. WOW.
    .
    MLS refereeing in a nutshell. This league goes NO WHERE until the refereeing is fixed. Period.
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    Rant over 🙂

    • pragmatist says:

      Been saying that for years. You want to be that Top 5 league, Mr. Garber? Fix your damn officiating. Atrocious.
      .
      I’m not saying we got the short end of the stick. Both teams can complain about crap calls. There is simply no reason to miss blatant calls that 18K people in the stands, and everyone watching on TV can see clearly.
      .
      Fix it. Otherwise you won’t get the start-in-their-prime, as is the goal of this whole operation.

    • Andy Muenz says:

      The refereeing is fixed. It’s fixed in favor of teams link NY, LA, etc.

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