Photo: Earl Gardner
Philadelphia Union
Earnie Stewart discusses his impact on the organization.
The Union named Borek Dockal their Man of the Match after their comeback win against Houston Dynamo.
Local
Bethlehem Steel fell to Indy Eleven 0-1 at home off a late Indy goal.
Reading United host The Villages SC tomorrow evening for the PDL national semifinal.
MLS
Another incredible El Trafico. LA Galaxy came back again, this time to tie it up 2-2 from a two goal deficit.
Orlando City lost to NYCFC 0-2.
Fanendo Adi is looking for an intra-MLS move from Portland Timbers. Any teams that need a striker? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Sugarman? Bueller?
Houston will appeal Tomas Martinez’s red card from their loss to the Union.
U.S.A.
USWNT opened the Tournament of Nations with a 4-2 win against Japan, led by an Alex Morgan hat trick.
Around the globe
Juventus have transferred Rolando Mandragora to Udinese for €20 million.
The article about Stewart is interesting. It hints at what I’ve suspected. His impact should be judged with a higher weight given towards player development, front office, and “the plan and vision”. You can hear it in how polite he commented on when he arrived, “…it was not what I was used to.” In other words it was a shambles. Yes player acquisition was part of his job, and he definitely has had some misses. I’d argue that was the lesser part of his duties when it came to the Union. Wait for the Biography of Stewart in 20 years.
I haven’t read the article yet but I still remember when he met with season ticket holders last year and emphasized that it was a 5 year plan and that he was here for that time. Seems like his reckoning of time is different than mine…
I think most would leave for their dream job if it came up. None of us knew 2.5 years ago that the US Men would fail to make the World Cup and that the US General Manager Position would be created.
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Agree with the first comment, that I think the business process / player development process is where his impact will be.
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If we want to be spending big money, we need either:
– New Owner
– Successful pipeline and player development
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But I’m always Glass Half-full for sports, as being pessimistic is no fun.
Yea his skill set might be better suited for the USA job.
If we were a more cash heavy org Earnie’s job would probably be at least 2 jobs with someone more in the scouting acquisition area.
I don’t think all of our acquisitions have been failures but the ones who do fail are big $$$ in crucial areas.
Adi leading the Union line would be perfect.
Agree….Imagine the resources for striker:
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CJ new 4 year deal looking great
Simpson on big Union money
Burke on peanuts
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Then Adi.
What does Portland need? Given the salary ($1.9 mil), I can’t imagine the Union giving up much other than Garber Bucks and maybe a fringe player – unless Portland would want to take Accam off our hands.
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If Portland needs a CB or a winger, though, we at least have a little bit of an excess in those places. (Though the CB depth for this purpose would be much nicer if Yaro could stop getting hurt.)