Photo: Earl Gardner
Philadelphia Union
An actual Union rumor! The Union have been linked to Olympiacos/Western Sydney attacking mid Nicolas Martinez. Based on what Wikipedia has about his salary and the agreement made between the Union and Olympiacos, his salary could be as low as $200,000 (American). Not the big DP CAM people have been clamoring for, but more of a CAM than what the Union currently have so let’s see if it actually happens. The Union have had a history of Argentinian playmakers, with Cristian Maidana (pictured) most recent.
Will the Union try to use a signing to appease fans at the next closed town hall?
The Union will get a break against FC Dallas, as Dallas will be without two regulars, Carlos Gruezo and Atiba Harris.
Get to know FC Dallas.
Local
Bethlehem’s Cory Burke enjoyed his time with the Jamaican National Team at the Gold Cup.
MLS
The MLS Homegrown team drew the Chivas U-20 team 2-2 on a stoppage time header.
The Union are the biggest movers this week in MLS’s power rankings. It’s not the right direction.
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An interview with Portland boss Caleb Porter.
Miami and Cincinnati are finally having their U.S. Open Cup matchup.
Around the globe
Bruce Arena has fixed the USMNT defense without sacrificing offense.
65th best former Union man Freddy Adu was set to join Polish club Sandecja Nowy Sacz but got ethered by the coach, so he’s not.
Highlight of the day
This fun goal from the “Audi Cup” (what?) semifinals.
A lot of stories out there have this guy playing a wide mid role on the left for Sydney, and not scoring or assisting much while doing it. I will always always take a new offensive signing with potential, but this is a very typical low budget Union move, especially so with Olympiakos paying some of his salary. Don’t get me wrong, smart, budget friendly moves are excellent and necessary, it’s just really hard to keep getting excited about them when the team never takes the next step and do what’s necessary.
i was peeved when i read he has been playing on the wing but then i remembered that the same was true of barnetta before he got here so that doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t play in the middle in mls
It’s not a sexy signing but at this point I’d take anything.
This is what they’ve beaten us into, acceptance of anything.
Boring.
Martinez is something I guess. If he works out, great. If not, the Union take another hit for being cheap. Meh.
After watching some vids on Youtube, it looks like he played the 10 in Sydney. He’s got a bit of Ilsino in him and a deft passing touch. His shot seems a bit under-powered. But he definitely has vision to make a line-breaking pass. He’s pretty small, like Giovinco sized. He looks a bit like Giovinco in the way he plays. Understand I’m not saying he’s as good, at all. It’s just his body type and his movement that reminds me of Giovinco.
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I’d rather roll with Najem for most of the matches for the rest of the season and deal with all of the changes needed in the offseason.
Unless we sign Messi, there is nothing fantastic about this season happening. Take a look at this guy on loan and see if he or Najem are our answer at the 10 and plan for next year.
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And we aren’t signing Messi…or a poor man’s Messi…or a devastatingly destitute man’s Messi…so we roll with another guy we’ve never heard of until he hits Philly.
A “devastatingly destitute Messi”… quality stuff there 🙂
Even if Martinez turned out to be a nice, pleasant surprise, I’m sure it would be too little, too late. Also, mid-season signings virtually always take at least 2-3 months to adjust to the league. This is true even for players of the caliber of Barnetta, Medunjanin, Robbie Keane, etc. So, nothing is getting us out of 9th place this season.
Every transfer window signing we make is for next season… you know, once he gets acclimated and the such, etc. etc… It’s BS. Sign a guy now who can help you now and can maybe push you to the playoffs. Do something to help this team now.