Photo: Marjorie Elzey
Philadelphia Union
Three takeaways from Philadelphia Union’s Champions League win over Atlanta.
Next Match: Union head to the Windy City to face the Fire.
MLS
Columbus Crew ousted from CCL after losing 0-3 (2-5 agg) to Monterrey.
Portland fall to Liga MX powerhouse Club America, losing 1-3 (2-4 agg).
MLSsoccer.com’s Greg Seltzer takes a closer look at each of the surprise fast starting teams.
International
Two Americans (and Pennsylvania natives) to compete in Champions League Final for the first time.
North Korea withdraws from World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying due to concerns over COVID-19.
Fantastic to wake up and see the Union as the only MLS team still standing. And no matter the result, I’m happy America is up next. You don’t get the chance to see something like that every day. So looking forward to it. It’s also nice to know we have at least one transfer window between now and the America series.
–
Found that MLS three-things article, like too many MLSSoccer.com pieces, particularly annoying. Point 2 is about how good Sosa is going to be? I mean, that was a nice turn and a nicely taken goal, but I think there were other players out there, some wearing blue, who had better games. I mean, Union win and 2/3rds of the piece focus on Atlanta. They can never turn off the league boosterism. I get why, but it’s still annoying.
The Union are going to the Azteca!
never thought I’d say that
Although I would have rathered Portland the upside is a chance to beat CA in competitive football in a CCL semifinal round. It’s a top notch opponent and Estadio Azteca is an intense atmosphere for a home team under normal circumstances.
. . .
Trolls and critics will likely claim we only got to the semis by playing another MLS team in the quarterfinals and a COVID weakened and season slumping Costa Rican team in the Round of 16. If we can pull it off then we not only validate ourselves against Mexican competitors but also MLS given the overall quarterfinals results.
. . .
Our team is hungry for the trophy and a chance at the FIFA Club WC. I’m also glad Jim Curtin didn’t take that post match guff from Heinze. Not only was it petty but also Atlanta was lucky to be in the CCL in the first place. Atlanta got a COVID twofer on CCLs for merely winning the 2019 USOC given last year’s USOC was cancelled. IMO the USOC slot should have gone to Portland for winning MLS is Back and the fourth slot given to SKC for winning the West per usual practice.
Arthur Blank has billions of dollars. “B,” it is not a typo.
.
Remember Jermaine JOnes? Chicago did all the work to get him into MLS. Robert Kraft got the player. The procedure under which it allegedly happened didn’t make it into the rules available to civilians until months later.
.
Making it up as they go along, in fairness in an absolutely unforeseen unanticipated circumstance. For all any of us know others may not have wanted the extra expense of the extra challenge involved.