Recent Posts

Union hire Vartughian to coach goalies
MLS / Union

Union hire Vartughian to coach goalies

Philadelphia Union have hired University of Maryland assistant Rob Vartughian as their goalkeepers coach. Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday night that Vartughian would immediately start work for the Union, with whom he has some strong past ties. Vartughian worked with Union manager Peter Nowak last year, when he coached goalkeepers on the […]

History / NASL / US Soccer History / USL

That USL/TOA/NASL thing, part I

You are probably aware that a breakaway group of owners (the Team Owners Association, aka “the TOA”) has left the United Soccer Leagues (USL) to form a new league intended to rival, if not supplant, the USL for Division 2 status in the American soccer pyramid. More recently, you may […]

Diving matters
England / English Premier League

Diving matters

This weekend’s Manchester United v Aston Villa Match was notable for several reasons.  Aside from being an absolute cracker of a match it was Aston Villa’s first victory at Old Trafford since 1983.  To give you an idea of how long ago that was, the top four teams in English […]

Come on you Royals!
Coca-Cola Championship / Reading

Come on you Royals!

Rants and raves (but mostly rants) about following a 2nd division team. &*#@! Why can’t we win at home?  In 12 home games at the Madjeski this season, Reading have one win.  Leading 1-0 through Grzegorz Rasaik’s 16th minute header, the Royals surrendered their lead in the 80th minute to […]

USMNT / World Cup

US National Team Mishmash

The first group of players for the U-20 National Team that will compete for the 2011 U-20 World Cup will be getting together after the New Year for a training camp. There do not seem to be any friendlies scheduled and the list of names includes most of the important […]

England / English Premier League / Wonderland

Wonderland

Maynor Figueroa is the starting left back for Wigan Athletic. All hail Maynor Figueroa.

Casa Soccer League -- playoffs this Saturday
Local Leagues

Casa Soccer League — playoffs this Saturday

The Casa Soccer League’s playoffs are set, and this Saturday’s matches at Philadelphia Soccer Club will finally settle Casa’s longest, wettest season ever. In the Primera Division, the Allstars snuck into the playoffs with a 1-0 win over Penn United on Saturday, thanks to a first half goal by George Owura Brew. The two teams were […]

Virginia over Akron to win College Cup in PKs
College Soccer / Union

Virginia over Akron to win College Cup in PKs

A mere fifteen years after their fifth NCAA Men’s soccer title, Virginia lifted the cup again. After a scoreless game, the Cavaliers hit their first three penalty kicks to send the top-seeded Akron Zips home empty-handed. Akron last appeared in a Men’s soccer final in 1986 when they lost to […]

Phoenix SC wins EPSA Cup
Local Leagues / US Open Cup

Phoenix SC wins EPSA Cup

  Phoenix SC scored in overtime Sunday to defeat United German Hungarians 2-1 and claim the EPSA Open Cup.  Kamara Freebolle and Jack Pocorobba both netted for Phoenix, which now lays claim to the title of best amateur soccer team in eastern Pennsylvania. Tim O’Neill scored UGH’s lone goal.  The two teams […]

EPL Update
England / English Premier League

EPL Update

What a week in the EPL. Only 3 teams grabbed full points, two by defeating top four sides (Wolves over Tottenham; Villa over United). Andrei Arshavin’s fantastic game-winner was made to look pedestrian by Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa. Watch for that one to pop up in Wonderland later this week. Stoke City 2-2 […]