Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
The Union played it smart to hold the Whitecaps to a draw on opening weekend.
Kevin Kinkead’s player grades and analysis from the opener.
Derrick Jones continues to earn high praise for his MLS debut.
Brotherly Game’s Jordan Wohl is also on board the Derrick Jones hype train in his tactical review of Sunday’s match.
An early fact check for the upcoming home opener versus Toronto FC.
MLS
Power rankings from Soccer America (Union at 17th) and ESPN (Union at 15th). A “power poll” (who they are polling, we don’t know) from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution sees the Union at 16th.
Eight breakout stars from week one and the top-five league newcomers. And, of course, five more takeaways.
Doing their best Rodney Dangerfield impersonation, how can FC Dallas get some respect as MLS’ top team? (Hint: It might start with having some people in the stands.)
Former MLS poet laureate Mix Diskerud is reportedly on the move to IFK Goteborg in the Swedish league.
Orlando’s soccer fever is legit.
Youth
MLS Commissioner Don Garber is in town today to speak with Union fans, executives, and Mayor Kenney at the Union Academy. Jonathan Tannenwald on how the club’s cooperation with local youth soccer sets a precedent.
Union academy teams reopened their season against Continental FC with positive results across the board.
US Soccer
Ahead of tonight’s SheBelieves Cup match versus France, the USWNT have got to start scoring.
Alejandro Bedoya weighs in on the USSF’s new pledge of allegiance rule with his usual candor and thoughtfulness. Megan Rapinoe says she will respect the furtive rule.
USSF has also adopted executive term limits and a fan vote to the National Council.
Tannenwald tweet:
“The Houston Dynamo put GK Jake McGuire, who’s been training with the Union, on waivers. If the Union still want him, expect a deal soon.”
Good, we still need a 3rd keeper.
Not that the rankings matter, but how does a clean sheet and draw away at Vancouver not raise your stock a little?
That’s probably based on the fact that Vancouver didn’t look as good as expected. That’s a lame excuse, but likely part of the thinking was that it was due more the VAN playing poorly than PHL playing well.
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One game is hard to tell which is true.
That Soccer America ranking places DC 6th, noting only 5 spectacular saves kept DC from dropping all three points at home to SKC, while allowing only one shot on goal and a clean sheet on the road is only good for 17th…. Oh well. I like the national low expectations for the club. It should be motivational.
I have to say I’m surprised to see as many national pundits dismiss the Union this year. Apparently, nobody rates Gooch any more, but I would have thought Harris would get a little more love.
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Dismiss us at your own peril….
I mean, I would hope that one game doesn’t change rankings significantly. The Union were low-ranked by many outlets coming into the season, and a fairly lifeless draw certainly isn’t enough to change that. Until the Union show some consistent attacking chops sans their Swiss dynamo, I wouldn’t expect them to move too much.
MLS just added clarity to each team’s roster. The website now includes who is part of the “senior” roster verses the “supplemental” or “reserve”.
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http://www.mlssoccer.com/rosters/2017
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Also interesting is that the Union are listed as occupying 28 of 30 roster spots now. Jack Elliott and Aaron Jones are not included. Could be an error or perhaps they are being loaned to the Steel?
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Applauding more transparency.
I would imagine that Elliott and Jones are not expected to play for the big club this year. That leaves us with 2 roster spots, and one DP (I hold out hope) to improve in the summer.
Also weird that there are 9 people listed under the international players list
The explanation of the details at the top of the article emphasized that only players were listed for whom ALL of the necessary paperwork had been received.
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Elliot and A. Jones were the last two signings.
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in the second part of the series of chart displays, under Reserve roster, slots 27 & 28 are left blank.
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I interpret those three points to mean that Elliott’s and A. Jones’ paperwork has not yet arrived in full.
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If you care to look for yourself, here’s the link.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/rosters/2017/philadelphia-union