Photo: Earl Gardner
Note: PSP is looking for a volunteer to write our Thursday news roundups. If interested, please email dwalsh@phillysoccerpage.com.
Philadelphia Union
Curtin sees the light at the end of the tunnel. A lot in that article to get Union fan hopes up.
Once a Metro takes a look at the Union-NYRB Open Cup series from the perspective of the Red Bulls.
MLS
Scores and recaps from this weekend’s sparse MLS action.
David Villa suffered a strained adductor while on national team duty and is currently week-to-week.
Viewers may start seeing 6 second ads during MLS games on FOX.
Around the globe
The USMNT lost 2-0 at home against Costa Rica.
Costa Rica planned to take central playmakers Christian Pulisic and Michael Bradley out of the game, and they succeeded.
Don’t blame the loss on the venue. The northeast Outlaws need to step up their game though.
The USMNT are now clinging to the third automatic qualifier spot, with their last 3 games against the 3 teams below them. They control their own destiny – win all three games and they’re in.
A recap of all the European World Cup qualifier action.
PSG is under investigation for violation of Financial Fair Play after signing Neymar and Mbappe.
Winners and losers of the summer transfer window.
Even judges in Malta make fun of Arsenal.
Highlight of the day
Isco gets the better of Verratti.
In reference to Bethlehem, while the Steel salvaged a tie last Thursday thanks to a fine goal late from Marcus Epps, weekend games have dropped them below the playoff qualification line to ninth.
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There are five teams within three points of each other from 6th thru 10th and the Steel have the only game in hand among the group. However, according to Chris Sherman’s remaining strength of schedule chart last Wednesday, of the five the Steel have a 2nd most difficult remaining schedule. Only Red Bull’s II have a tougher one, and they lie 7th one point ahead of the Steel.
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Orlando City B has the 2nd easiest remainging schedule in the league and is 2 points ahead of the Steel in 6th place in the table. FC Cincinnati has the 8th most difficult remaking schedule and is a point ahead of the Steel in 8th in the table. And Pittsburgh has the 15th most difficult remaining, and is tied with the Steel on points, but is 10th in the table below them because of fewer wins.
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The Steel have to win that game in hand, and must get a win or two on the road. That is something they have done comparatively well all season. They must keep doing it.
Regarding the “light at the end of the tunnel” article, Curtain says some of the right things. But talk is cheap.
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And beyond “winning solves everything” (my paraphrase) is actually playing in an attractive way on a consistent basis.
It’s basically confirming what I thought was going to happen. Huge roster turnover before next season. Curtin gets another shot. He probably will do well enough to keep his job till the year after, when things will start to fall apart again, and hopefully there will finally be a new coach.
The Union talking about spending money to revamp the roster is great, but they haven’t had a successful track record even with their modest spending in the past. They feel awfully confident that they can get it right this time, but it seems to me to be more sales talk just to get STH to renew.
I predict a net zero spending change.
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In other words, the Union will clear the roster of underperforming dollars and then spend the cleared money on new talent.
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If the total spending +/- is zero, will most people think Union have changed?
If they spend it on the right players who preform well. Sure, why not?
It really isn’t about how much the Union spend for me. It’s more about how well, and in what positions they spend the cash.
If they keep spending to basically the max of the salary cap and get a player in Edu’s DP slot that will actually play (and is more in line with a Bedoya level player) our roster should be competitive.
Good comments, all. No argument from me.
Ads during soccer, of course Fox would ruin the beautiful game.
If we make enough of a fuss now, maybe we can get them to cancel it before the WC starts.