Philadelphia Union
Three reasons why the Union should utilize the 4-2-3-1 formation.
FCDallas.com on this weekend’s match.
Brotherly Game believes the Union are exactly where they should be.
Academy product Jack de Vries received a U.S. U-17 call-up as a forward.
Looks like ESPN is reading the Philadelphia Voice. They also posted a piece about Doolsta’s quandary over whether to continue gaming or focus on college.
Local
Seth Kuhn, a Union Academy grad, is transferring from Duke University to Penn State. He’ll reunite with his former Union U-19 coach.
Harrisburg Heat had its coach and a defender make the MASL Team of the Week.
MLS
Call it the weekend of broken jaws. Columbus Crew’s Harrison Afful and D.C. United’s Joseph Mora are both undergoing surgery to fix broken jaws. Mora lost a tooth too.
ICYMI, about Keegan Rosenberry:
.@K_J_Rose dislocated his shoulder on Saturday, got it popped back into place, and then went back into the game. “He’s a tough guy,” says Hudson. 😳 #Rapids96
— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) April 2, 2019
Montreal Impact’s Harry Novillo may face sanctions for losing his passport.
Jason Hernandez is retiring after 14 years defending in the MLS. He’ll join Toronto FC’s front office.
Inter Milan claims that “Inter” is their exclusive brand, causing a legal headache for Inter Miami. Pretty lame, Inter Milan.
Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia is mulling a summer move to MLS.
U.S. Soccer
USWNT squad gets sponsor money to fix World Cup bonus pay gap.
Penn State alum Alyssa Naeher sets her sights on the World Cup.
New U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team coach Raphael Wicky will oversee his first camp later this week. He named his first 26-player roster.
US Youth Soccer announced its rebranding.
Around the globe
A Mexican-based writer sizes up Tata Martino’s first couple games for El Tri.
German FA president Reinhard Grindel resigned over a €6,000 watch.
Against the backdrop of a brutal civil war, millions of Congolese turn to soccer to cope with the conflict.
Has a team ever had to play more than one game in a day?
“I’ve been punched by a boy and called a lesbian by a parent . . . just for playing football,” says 13-year-old Olivia Hancock.
Highlight of the day
I wonder how much this infuriates Ronaldo:
It pays to be great 💰 pic.twitter.com/PqGNRbfDra
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 2, 2019
That Fansided article arguing a return to the 4-2-3-1 gets a the Union’s record wrong. They didn’t lose their first three games. I think the rest of the piece is tactical naivete. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of the same in the past — we put so much emphasis on how a team lines up and pay less attention to how they play. What’s important is not 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 but that tactics — who is pressing and when? How high are you keeping your line? Who is pushing and providing width in attack? I’m sure you could deploy Accam at left wing, center forward, or right back, and he’s going to play his game his way.
I don’t know if it was as much a return as a keep it in the playbook. I do think the point was hammered hard. I do agree about using it again. It may be necessary, or wise, during the Gold Cup. Who knows who will actually be available.
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I agree about the press. These past few games, the players and the coach seem to be adapting well. I’m excited to see what happens with hopefully Santos and Montiero added to the mix.
The fanside piece is a strong argument for journalism degrees.
Good luck to Milan claiming trademark protection for the word International.
The Brotherly Game one needs an editor.