Daily news roundups

News roundup: Open Cup riffs, Pulse remembrance, Arena the Phoenix, more

Photo by Earl Gardner

Philadelphia Union

Is the Open Cup redundant for Philly and other local teams?

Or should the Cup be a priority for the Union?

As a surprise to many, the Union – even after giving up two to NYCFC – are the second best defensive set piece team in the league.

Major League Soccer

Orlando City pays a thoughtful tribute to Pulse Nightclub victims a year after the tragedy. A mural has been created at the stadium to honor the lives lost. Beautiful – let love win, folks.

A preview of tonight’s Open Cup matches.

Is the Cup the hipster brand of American soccer?

Your Team of the (very abbreviated) Week.

Zlatan to MLS rumors are totally not getting old (video).

USL

USL clubs seek Open Cup glory.

Eastern Conference power rankings see Bethlehem Steel rise up to 9th.

FC Cincinnati has announced designs for their new proposed stadium.

Speaking of, FC Cincinnati and Harrisburg City Islanders have moved their match up to Saturday 7/22. It will no longer be broadcast as the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3, but will still be available on YouTube.

NWSL

After some health scares, the league has responded to concerns about scheduling kickoffs in the hottest hours of the day.

The international break is the perfect time for coaching changes.

U.S. Soccer

More player rankings for U.S. vs. Mexico.

A thank you note to Bruce Arena.

5 thoughts on the win.

More accolades: Bruce gets it right. Arena’s keys to success. The U.S. are fun to watch again.

NYT takes notice of the team’s change in fortune. It was a feat five months in the making.

11 Comments

  1. I generally agree that I’m tired of seeing the Union play Harrisburg every year in the USOC, but I wonder if it’s good for their players, seeing as they get annual exposure to the MLS team most likely to scout them and take notice.

  2. Andy Muenz says:

    I think you misread the article on set piece defense. It said that Houston is the second best in expected goals against behind Philly. So the Union are first, although it is based on expected goals, not actual goals. So the Union are not giving up many good chance set pieces.

  3. Posted this on yesterday’s roundup this morning but wanted to make sure it was seen…
    .
    https://twitter.com/stuholden/status/874419690415828992

    • If I saw Guzan’s recent play (and Hamid’s play for the past 1.5 years) I’d consider switching to the US as well.

      Remember when everyone thought we were ironclad set with the next generation of GK (Hamid, Sean Johnson, etc)….

      OH the irony if the next long-term GK is Klinsman’s kid

      • Yup.
        .
        Also, I believe Frei is taking his citizenship test soon and will then be able to suit up for the US after the FIFA paperwork is done.
        .
        FWIW the best “next gen” keeper IMO is Horvath.

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