Photo: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
Kinkead’s grades and analysis from the Union’s win over New England. You have to wonder how many more starting opportunities Pontius will get with Epps showing well in his limited time and Herbers working his way back from injury.
The Union finally have their left back.
Bedoya has taken a leadership role with the USMNT at the Gold Cup.
Andre Blake is riding high as he heads to the Gold Cup.
A preview of tomorrow’s game.
Local
Harrisburg beat Toronto II 4-3 in an unexpected shootout.
Reading and Ocean City split a pair of games in their battle for a playoff spot.
MLS
Only American teams won in yesterday’s MLS action. Of course, only American teams played, but only American teams won!
Power Rankings: MLS. MLS is riding high on the Union, pushing them up 8 spots to #10.
As the league expands, it becomes increasingly important to find reasonably priced MLS-quality talent abroad.
Real Salt Lake signed veteran Uruguayan center back Marcelo Silva using TAM.
San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Matheus Silva is in critical condition after a swimming incident. Well wishes to Matheus.
Portland’s Liam Ridgewell is out another 6-8 weeks after aggravating his quad injury in training.
Atlanta will be without GK Alec Kann for 6-8 weeks as he is also suffering from a quad injury.
Around the globe
Stock up and stock down for the USMNT and Canadian Men’s team. Sapong’s stock is up after his PK goal.
Kelyn Rowe is emblematic of Bruce Arena’s willingness to call up the best American players, regardless of age or club team.
Seventeen-year-old American Timothy Weah has signed for Paris Saint-Germain.
Huddersfield Town beat Reading to win promotion to the Premier League, and now they’re bringing former Reading star and current U.S. international Danny Williams with them.
Luxembourg’s Progres Niederkorn won its first ever European match as they knocked Rangers out of the Europa League.
Eighteen months on from her third ACL surgery, Megan Rapinoe is in the best form of her life.
Former long-time USMNT player Eddie Lewis is trying to make his ideas regarding training and practice a reality.
Highlights of the day
In honor of Independence Day, the top 10 U.S. goals of the past 10 years.
I had the opportunity to hear Eddie Lewis talk about TOCA at a US Soccer function last year. This is the kind of innovative thinking that we need from soccer people in the country.
It’s definitely interesting.
Most of Scotland was so happy yesterday with the Rangers losing against a lowly Luxemburg side; at least what I saw from my Scottish friends on Facebook (most of who are Aberdeen supporters).
Rangers are pretty easy to dislike. Feels good when they fail.
Was watching the Atlanta – SJ game yesterday and just can not believe how much the Atlanta fans are into the team. It shows that if you have an exciting product on the field then it can drive the fans crazy. Toronto also seem to have also such a strong fan base. It seems to be a product of winning many games with many exciting goals. Think that if the Union could keep on winning games like they did on Sunday then we may also get a bit more excited.
They still have that new team smell. I remember those days. Good times.
So…
Jonathan Tannenwald:
Just announced: @ChrisPontius13 is going to the Gold Cup with the U.S. Will leave after Thursday’s game at KC. No word on who he’s replacing.
.
Did not see that coming…
Yeah I know he replaces another midfielder (Saief) but CJ gets passed over again. I’m guessing it’s a like for like swap… BUT STILL. Pontius?!?