Photo: Earl Gardner
Philadelphia Union
The Union released an official statement on Blake:
Andre Blake suffered a laceration on his hand last night during the Gold Cup Final. The injury required seven stitches in the web of his hand between his index finger and middle finger. Blake will be reevaluated when he returns to Philadelphia.
Early word is that he will be out ten days and then day-to-day from there. His performance at the Gold Cup earned him the Golden Gloves, and Jamaica will be left to wonder what-if.
Sapong set a new career high for goals. Let’s hope breaking through the double digit wall frees C.J. for second half productivity. He’s also tied his career high in assists and contributes in many other ways.
Marcus Epps was played on the left, where he impressed in preseason and friendlies, and he responded with 8 shots and a goal. Curtin will have to figure out what to do when Fafa is available again. My suggestion – try Fafa at the ten. Put his speed in the middle and let him play off C.J. more centrally.
Get to know the Revs. Match preview.
Local
Local teams are still in the hunt at the Youth National Championships.
Continental FC’s U-9 team dominated the IberCup and now join the Union Pre-Academy.
Santi Moar has followed the development path, going from college to PDL to USL, and, maybe, one day to MLS.
MLS
The underperforming Galaxy were busy, replacing the ineffective Curt Onalfo with the proven Sigi Schmid and re-uniting the Dos Santos brothers.
LAFC signed Bob Bradley as their inaugural coach.
As these big moves show, MLS teams – including the Union – must adapt or be left behind.
Red Bulls signed Panamanian defender Fidel Escobar on loan after his good Gold Cup showing.
10 other Gold Cup players who could fit in MLS.
Around the globe
Bruce Arena remains unbeaten in his current stint as Men’s National Team coach, and he remains as even-keeled and pragmatic as ever. His success has led to some of his doubters admitting they were wrong.
Which USMNT players helped their stock at the Gold Cup?
The USWNT lost 1-0 against Australia at the Tournament of Nations.
A recap of early Europa League action.
Highlight of the day
Rivaldinho, son of the great Rivaldo, hit a screamer from distance.
C’mon, CJ. Let’s push for 15. You’ll need a .38 goals per game pace to hit that mark. He’s bagged 10 goals in 20 appearances now for about .5 goals per game…. Should be attainable.
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In LA, i don’t know how you could expect a USL coach like Onalfo to manage fairly heavyweight talents like the dos Santos brothers, Van Damme, etc. You gotta have someone with credentials. I have no idea how Schmid will do, but he’s probably as good a coach as they could get.
I think the Sigi situation is interesting how it mirrors last year with the Sounders, new coach and new major signing/playmaker (J dos Santos). I still hope LAG have an abysmal year, but the similarities to me are just interseting.
Not only this but the retread factor in MLS is remarkable… smarter minds then me have written extensively about the closed boys circuit in a closed boys league and the impossibility of promoting as a coach to the highest levels.
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Interesting is all.
Pach, if you give me the choice of “retreads” like Bob Bradley and Sigi Schmid or “promoted coaches” like Curt Onalfo and Jim Curtin, I’m taking the guys who actually have a clue what they’re doing on the sideline.
I echo my comment from yesterday evening culled from Nutmeg News:
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New Chivas USA team hire old Chivas USA coach and ask him not to turn team into Chivas USA.
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Can’t make this stuff up… genuinely genius.
Agreed, that is brilliant.
I kind of agree right up to the point I see in my minds eye, Bruce sitting at the table sucking on a champagne bottle with that big old grin. I’m fine with Curtin if this is the team they are going with and he keeps working in the youth. Roseberry should get a look this next game as I think Ray hit the wall.
On a side thought, does anybody know the Unions record with the come back player of the year, teamed with the rookie of the year? For my money, it’s the biggest surprise in MLS this season.