Photo: Nate Swerdzarf
Philadelphia Union
The Union play their first preseason match today at 3 PM against the Red Bulls. No stream or TV available, though.
Fifteen unsigned Union Academy players are in Florida for preseason camp.
The team’s new jersey comes customizable with LGBTQ rainbow flag or Philly skyline logos.
John Hackworth’s son, Morgan, who was a member of the U-16 and U-18 Union Academy teams, signed to Memphis 901 FC in USL’s second division.
Bethlehem Steel hired Phil Wheddon as goalkeeper coach. He has coached both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams in a FIFA World Cup.
Local
Reading United alum Guillermo Delgado inked a deal with FC Tucson. He’s now the third alumnus to sign with the USL’s third division.
New Jersey Youth Soccer crowned its NJYS Girls Futsal State Cup champions over the weekend.
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will award, in their view, two great players who became great coaches.
Philadelphia Fury are holding open tryouts, February 16 and 17.
Shameless self-promotion: article I wrote about Roxborough United.
MLS
Despite getting up to $1 million for Ike Opara, Peter Vermes isn’t happy with how it went down. Aww, is the bull dog gonna cry? Also, MLSsoccer.com analyzed the trade.
Speaking of SKC, their former defender Michael Harrington has retired.
Looks like Atlanta finally sold Miguel Almiron to Newcastle for around $25 million.
Wondo just turned 36 and is ready for his 12th season with the Quakes.
U.S. Soccer
Why has the USMNT struggled? Start with how it selects players.
An interview with Megan Rapinoe, where she talks about why women are at the forefront of fighting injustices and whether she feared for her career after taking a knee during the national anthem.
Around the globe
Australia’s prime minister followed FIFA, the IOC and the Asian Confederation in calling for Thailand to release detained player Hakeem Al-Araibi.
Qatar was pelted with shoes as they stomped UAE to reach the Asian Cup final.
Some EPL scores for you from yesterday:
- Arsenal 2-1 Cardiff City
- Fulham 4-2 Brighton
- Wolves 3-0 West Ham
- Huddersfield 0-1 Everton
- Newcastle 2-1 Man. City
- Man. United 2-2 Burnley
The German Football League’s hashtag #FootballAsItsMeantToBe was used more than 400 million times last year in China — eclipsing all other foreign languages.
Your guide to every soccer lawsuit in the U.S. (and beyond).
A big shout-out to Rafa and New Castle. What a wonderful win to help Liverpool on their way to a title. Go Liverpool!
Couldn’t believe the way that played out. Saw Aguero score and figured it was going to just be another massacre. Tuned back in after an hour to see Newcastle was level. Remarkable. Reds still have to win today, though. A win over Leicester is not a lock by any means.
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And on the subject of Newcastle, what a big day for MLS. To sell a player to the PL for $25 million, that’s tremendous for attracting South American players to play in the U.S.
Pete where were you able to watch the match? I was able to DVR the United-Burnley match (what a game that was), but didn’t see any other fixtures listed on Verizon.
I didn’t actually see the plays. What I wrote is misleading. I was working and had the Guardian’s Live Blog up on my iPad. So I “watch” the match as if it’s an old PC text adventure more than seeing it live. I should have said I read the match live. I think I’m going to be forced to “watch” Liverpool the same way today.
To add: I’m not a big fan of NBCSportsGold and all the other new pay walls that have sucked up the FA Cup and Champions League. Sucks. If I could, I’d head down to Victoria Freehouse to watch. They’re the Liverpool bar in the city. Have been to see a bunch of matches there. Always great.
Sweet thanks Pete. I also hate the paywalls and am stubborn enough and cheap enough to avoid them at all costs.
Was at the Freehouse for last year’s Champions league final. Could not believe how packed it was (was too packed). You guys should find a better bar for these types of games so that everyone can watch the game properly. But liked the guy who bought us all free drinks at half-time!
Guido, you just have to be sure to get there early. I try to get a good seat downstairs, but the 2nd floor is good, too.
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All4U, I’m with you on stubborn. I feel a bit like it’s been a bait and switch. I only signed up for PS Vue to get sports channels and then half the football disappeared (including the Union, because PS Vue doesn’t have PH17).
Man how hard is it for someone to hold a camera and live stream something I know is going to be shitty but would love to watch none the less.
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come on Union.
+1
As frustrated by it as you are mighty Elephant.
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They have all the first team coaches and technical staff, all Bethlehem coaches and technical staff, and an unknown number of academy coaches, I would suspect at the very least the U19’s man and possibly the 17s one.
Add 25 first teamers, seven farm-teamers, and 15 Academy players.
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And there have to be some PR guys I would think.
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Rather they spent the money there than on a livestream.
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BUt some tweets about lineups and substitutes would be most welcome.
Maybe someone can influence PSP’s inside man Adam Cann to Tweet commentary for the match (If he got to go that is).
Word is that the Union are trying to have some type of game update blog on the main club website.
Here’s the link. The first slide answers some questions, even though it’s clearly a case of veterans first, with one major exception.
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.https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/post/2019/01/30/live-blog-union-preseason-scrimmage-against-new-york-red-bulls