Photo: Earl Gardner
Editor’s note: PSP has temporarily pulled back a post we ran yesterday about a ticket giveaway to the upcoming USMNT-Bolivia match. Apparently, the contest sponsor has run into some issues with U.S. Soccer on their end. Once they sort that out, we will hopefully get the post live again, because we like what the contest offered our readers. We apologize for the inconvenience. — Dan Walsh, PSP editor
Philadelphia Union
Adam Cann’s tactical analysis of the Union’s demolition of the monarchs from Utah.
The Union’s next home game is Pride Night versus Chicago Fire. More info about this important promotion here.
Borek Dockal made MLS’ Team of the Week, while Marcus Epps earned a spot on the bench.
Marcus Epps is providing an unlikely spark for the Union.
Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie earn a shout for their local centerback tandem.
Trusty should probably be getting more love for Rookie of the Year consideration here.
Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel made a statement with their road win over Indy this past weekend.
Local
The Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer 2018 State Cup and President Cup final results. Congrats to everyone who played in the tourney!
The U.S. National Donauschwaben Tournament takes place this weekend in Philly. Looks like a really cool local soccer event.
MLS
Former Liverpool executive Ian Ayre has been named CEO of future-MLS club Nashville FC. Gotta love an ambitious move like that.
Atlanta United is not used to losing.
With the new Youth Transfer Fund, we could start seeing intra-league youth loans a la every other league in the world.
U.S. Soccer
Christian Pulisic says a lack of focus led to the U.S.’s loss in Trinidad.
Eric Lichaj is stoked to play in Philly again.
Cameron Carter-Vickers rise to the USMNT has been in the works for years.
Didn’t even think of ROTY for Trusty, always associated that with the draft.
What are the specific rules for MLS rookie? Is it NO games appeared in at all the previous year? Or is it like some sports that have weird rules like MLB.
Atlanta fans are definitely beginning to set the standard for insufferable, and by and large, they were not robbed by the refs over the weekend — they deserved to lose. But that foul that was called on the disallowed Atlanta goal was extraordinarily weak. It looked to me like the Red Bull defender went into a slide on purpose.
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Still, officiating is probably one of the biggest turn offs in MLS. It can be atrocious at times. You’d think Geiger would be moved on from just a general lack of credibility. I think the main thing the league needs to do is figure out a way, if it can’t get better quality, to get more consistent.
I’ve contended for a while now that MLS officiating is what hinders it’s legitimacy. I think it hurts the players also. I think some creativity is lost.
Trusty isn’t eligible and hasn’t been since the end of the 2016 season, his first as a pro.
There are 58 players eligible: https://www.mlssoccer.com/media-resources/2018-rookies
Steel have transferred Brandon Allen to Nashville for cash. Interesting if they bring in another striker to replace him or not. Maybe someone from the academy?
Making room for the rumored Honduran?
Great article on Ocean City N’oreasters’ USOC run here: https://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup/open-cup-tournaments/2018-usoc#tab-1
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Find the link to watch them play NCFC in the USOC tonight 5/22 at 7:00 pm here:
https://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup/open-cup-tournaments/2018-usoc/2018-us-open-cup-third-round
Dan, thanks for clarifying why the WC post was pulled.
Also totally out of your control and no worries.
I’m not in the loop on this subject, so maybe it’s already part of the process, but wouldn’t the EPYSA State Cup/President’s Cup tournament be a fantastic place for a group of scouts to set up shop for a couple of days? Is there any chance that the national program or MLS Academies had representatives standing by with clipboards in hand finding talents, both obvious and raw, playing in high-level competitions?
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The weakest part of the American soccer development is in scouting. Logistics and the size of the country make it incredibly difficult. I seriously hope that those in charge take advantage of these large collections of talent to find players.
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Maybe it’s me, but it just seems to make sense. Hopefully, American soccer organizations agree and were there in the shadows.