Photo: Earl Gardner
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake will be away a little longer, as Jamaica defeated Canada 2-1 to move on to the Gold Cup semifinals. Blake was a huge part of the victory, notching 4 saves. They will face Mexico in the semis.
Post-game quotes from the Union’s mid-week match against Montreal.
Fafa was both pleased and frustrated with his goal.
Keegan Rosenberry may not be seeing playing time on the field, but at least he’s a good barber.
Get to know Columbus.
Local
Harrisburg took 4 points from 2 home games, but also picked up a few knocks.
Reading had a bad 10 minutes and their season is now over.
MLS
VAR is officially coming to MLS starting August 5. I can’t wait to complain about how long it takes while simultaneously praising it for getting the call right!
10 storylines for the second half of the season.
Kei Kamara was fined $1,250 for wearing socks. Solid rant.
Montreal signed Romanian center back Deian Boldor on loan. It’s worth noting that Montreal’s owner also owns Bologna, the club for which Boldor is on loan. Makes you wonder if the next frontier for increased MLS quality is partnerships with European sides. Little steps.
Chicharito will join West Ham United, not LAFC.
Some suggested midfield pickups for Philadelphia Union, courtesy of FourFourTwo Magazine.
Want to win a trip to the MLS All-Star Game in Chicago? Check this out.
Around the globe
Eric Lichaj scored a goal in a half he’d otherwise like to forget. This goal is just really, really, really smart soccer. Lichaj gets the ball going forward off a turnover and takes a dribble into open space. He sees Altidore in the middle and lays it off. Rather than just sit back and retreat to his position, he realizes that if Altidore is back by him, then nobody is where Altidore should be and makes a run to fill that gap. Then, as the ball progresses forward, he makes a lateral run towards the ball across the offside line, making himself an option. And then the finish is all class. That kind of awareness and movement is just sublime.
Jozy Altidore had a sense of humor about El Salvador’s dirty play.
The USWNT named its roster for the Tournament of Nations.
The U.S. named its roster for the first of a few U-17 camps in preparation of the U-17 World Cup. No Union or local players were called in.
Highlight of the day
Andre Blake does what Andre Blake does (alternate angle).
Both players mentioned by FourFourTwo Magazine, Quintero and Maher, are well outside Sugarman’s budget. One can dream though…
Funny I was thinking the same thing.
But he can afford to live in this neighborhood…
http://nypost.com/2017/07/15/goldman-sachs-exec-is-behind-hamptons-biggest-listing/
Love Kamara’s rant. I’m sure MLS will just fine him again, but good on him for speaking out about what seems like an incredibly silly regulation.
Indeed. I’ll have to look for it, but I recall reading something on SI.com a while ago about these socks – how all the players love them, and how they go about trying to hide them from the “uniform police.”
I love replying to myself… *ahem*
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Found it: https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/11/17/trusox-soccer-socks-under-armour-nike-adidas-kevin-bill-plank-usmnt
I remember reading that. Great piece. What a stupid controversy — all because of sponsorship. I’m surprised MLS doesn’t force all their players to wear Adidas shoes as well. Seems as logical as enforcing the sock brand.
Can’t wait for the first VAR-inspired Sons Of Ben chant: Hey! Ref! *wait 30 seconds* SOMB!
brilliant