10/2/2012 - Chicago - With another string of losses following their most recent break, the Union now simply look to embrace a new role. It isn’t the comeback, and it’s hardly going to be a strong finish. If they embrace the role of spoiler though, the vibe going into the off-season could be much different. The Union have five matches left this season, four of which against East leading teams.
Don’t expect to see a recharge of energy, or a silent killer for hopes to ride on into next year. Expect an exhausted limping crawl into November. Recent attendance has reflected the vibe that the club has given off, but possibly, following an upset in Chicago they could return to a familiar setting to face New England. It’s the culture of the time, most fans are already tuned out so the best they could do is finish strong, make some top Eastern Conference teams dread their dates with us and embrace the only role they’ll be seeing till next spring.
The Union’s most recent performance was anything but awe-inspiring before last week's heartbreaking blown call defeat to Columbus. For myself it was like a preface to a 2012 auto-biography that would be harder to read than hieroglyphics. They come into Chicago 8-15-6 30 pts. and some tall odds to pull the upset. Chicago, already looking on to the MLS Cup Playoffs are 16-9-5 53 pts. and 4 points from falling out of the race. Since the Fire certainly won’t be taking any fixture lightly, it will be a chance to judge if the Union performance last week is something to build on, or a cardiac flutter following the last two weeks of non effective CPR.
Philadelphia Union
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
U.S. Capitalize Jamaican Hangover Take Lead In WCQ Group
U.S. Capitalize Jamaican Hangover Take Lead In WCQ Group
USMNT in WCQ action Tuesday night, Split with Jamacia, Lead WCQ Group
9/11/2011 - Columbus, OH. - Tuesday nights World Cup Qualifier in Columbus opened on a somber note as each squad's starting XI stood in the centre circle observing a moment of silence along with the capacity crowd of 20,145 at Columbus Crew Stadium. “It’s moments like these that put sports in perspective” said ESPN’s Adrian Healy before kickoff. “It was a tragedy for this country, but we came together and that’s where we got our strength from,” Clint Dempsey said He along with many other players talked to the media Monday and earlier this afternoon expressing how honored they were to represent their country tonight.
The aura and circumstance of the 11th anniversary of the terrible day put an exclamation mark on a strong U.S. peformance. Last Friday, in Kingston when these two clubs last met Jamaica had stunned the U.S. and CONCACAF with their first victory in 19 tries. It was very clear on the American side that World Cup hopes would quickly be in jeopardy if they met a similar fate today. This match didn’t have much time for foreshadowing, but it was well known this was the most important match of Klinsmann’s young tenure as the American manager. Monday he said “We didn’t get the result we wanted in Jamaica which puts us in a position that we have to get those points back and we want to desperately do that...” For Jamacia their biggest obstacle was to put on a strong follow-up act, but by the first half it was clear they still had a large hangover from Friday.
From the kickoff following it was obvious that Jamaica was having trouble getting in gear, they were mostly responding to the Americans and not dictating play at all. Graham Zusi in his 4th international appearance started sending crosses and putting shots on net with a 6’ laser that hit the crossbar. He’s adjusted comfortably playing right forward as L. Donovan was absent for his second game in a row. In the 15’ Herculez Gomez, who has been a favorite of Klinsmann since his arrival laid beautiful service to Jermaine Jones who directed it wide. Jamaica, perhaps still hungover from Friday were defending American attack after attack causing some sloppy defending. 17’ Jamaican CB Lovel Palmer was booked. The attack continued, 23 year old Danny Williams rang the post with a 30’ blast. The shots were piling up as the first half wore on. The excellent play of Dwayne Miller with 7 saves including a 20’ split second dive sent the Americans to the locker room scoreless.
-Kyle Willard, PhillySportsSpace.Com
@KyleUnionFIFA
USMNT in WCQ action Tuesday night, Split with Jamacia, Lead WCQ Group
9/11/2011 - Columbus, OH. - Tuesday nights World Cup Qualifier in Columbus opened on a somber note as each squad's starting XI stood in the centre circle observing a moment of silence along with the capacity crowd of 20,145 at Columbus Crew Stadium. “It’s moments like these that put sports in perspective” said ESPN’s Adrian Healy before kickoff. “It was a tragedy for this country, but we came together and that’s where we got our strength from,” Clint Dempsey said He along with many other players talked to the media Monday and earlier this afternoon expressing how honored they were to represent their country tonight.
The aura and circumstance of the 11th anniversary of the terrible day put an exclamation mark on a strong U.S. peformance. Last Friday, in Kingston when these two clubs last met Jamaica had stunned the U.S. and CONCACAF with their first victory in 19 tries. It was very clear on the American side that World Cup hopes would quickly be in jeopardy if they met a similar fate today. This match didn’t have much time for foreshadowing, but it was well known this was the most important match of Klinsmann’s young tenure as the American manager. Monday he said “We didn’t get the result we wanted in Jamaica which puts us in a position that we have to get those points back and we want to desperately do that...” For Jamacia their biggest obstacle was to put on a strong follow-up act, but by the first half it was clear they still had a large hangover from Friday.
From the kickoff following it was obvious that Jamaica was having trouble getting in gear, they were mostly responding to the Americans and not dictating play at all. Graham Zusi in his 4th international appearance started sending crosses and putting shots on net with a 6’ laser that hit the crossbar. He’s adjusted comfortably playing right forward as L. Donovan was absent for his second game in a row. In the 15’ Herculez Gomez, who has been a favorite of Klinsmann since his arrival laid beautiful service to Jermaine Jones who directed it wide. Jamaica, perhaps still hungover from Friday were defending American attack after attack causing some sloppy defending. 17’ Jamaican CB Lovel Palmer was booked. The attack continued, 23 year old Danny Williams rang the post with a 30’ blast. The shots were piling up as the first half wore on. The excellent play of Dwayne Miller with 7 saves including a 20’ split second dive sent the Americans to the locker room scoreless.
Following the half the Jamaicans fell behind again, and handed the U.S. another free kick after a late foul. In the 55’ H. Gomez ripped a 32 yard free kick, while D. Miller did all he could to get a diving hand as it bounced off the goalpost and in. After taking the lead, some cheeky play by the Americans in middle of the half led to some turnovers and three solid scoring opportunities for Jamaica. FW Ryan Johnson’s head found a very promising 70’ cross, but it turned just wide. The Toronto FC man was one of seven other MLS starters who played tonight. Towards the end the Jamaicans put together a few strong effort’s and you could feel that Tim Howard was going to be needed for a big save. The Everton GK had seen very little action all match and when Jamaica sustained a surge of momentum he stood tall coordinating his final third. Playing from behind all game the efforts from Jamaica were too little too late as the Americans gained the upper hand and ended the match in charge.
With this win, a three way tie for points exists at the top of the group. The Americans having the upper hand over Guatemala than Jamaica with goals scored. Their next fixture is on the road, October 12 against Antigua and Barbuda, 19:00.
-Kyle Willard, PhillySportsSpace.Com
@KyleUnionFIFA
Rested Union Look To Make Up Ground Against Last Place Toronto
Rested Union Look To Make Up Ground Against Last Place Toronto.
9/12/2012 - Philadelphia - Soccer is a sport that’s all about finishing. Finishing chances, halfs, matches and even seasons. This Saturday, the last place Toronto FC (5-17-6) will host the Union at BMO Field. This will be the first match for the Union (7-13-5) in over 2 weeks, when they played the New England Revolution to a scoreless draw in Foxboro, Ma two Saturdays ago.
Friday, interim club manager John Hackworth spoke to the press about the break saying, “This break is actually good for us because we can train and we can improve on little things” One of those little things being the play of his goal-scorer’s. He noted that finishing strong was a priority, and how he was creating that environment “...we've tried to make sure that guys come into this week with the mentality that they want to do better.” On all sides of the ball for the young squad, finishing has been an issue this year.
With the extra rest the Union have a unique opportunity to reflect and work on some the many issues that has plagued this rocky season. Including maximizing this final nine game stretch to end the year strong and on a positive note. In the position they are it’s currently all about building towards next season, since they're not looking on to the MLS Cup playoffs. One thing as of late I’ve noticed and heard a lot from readers, ist this squads difficulty in creating quality scoring opportunities and enough of them. In their last six games they have only scored three times. They rank 18th in the MLS in goals scored with 25, only between last and Chivas USA with 21.
From one end to the other, in August on route to a 0-3-2 month the Philadelphia final third allowed eight goals scored in five matches. Along with all star’s C. Valdez and (D/M) S. Williams, keeper second year Zac MacMath has clearly had some tough outings. For the 21 year old from St. Petersburg, Fl who started seven games last year while going 3-0-4. This year he started the season with the highest expectation from fans, but he’s 7-12-4 in starts and 28 goals allowed.
Also during the break. Four Union club members are returning to the club from International duties back home. Wednesday, MF Z. Pfefer had the first goal against against The Netherlands, along with GK Z. Steffen in a U-18 U.S.M.N.T. assignment. G. Gomez joined his fellow Panamanians last week for two CONCACAF W.C. Qualification matches against Canada. After two wins Panama leads their group. Team Captain Carlos Valdes was also called to international duty. He started Friday night in his native Columbia as they took routed Chile 4-0 in CONMEBOL W.C.Q. He dressed, but did not play for the second half of the double-header in Santiago.
The Union start their homestretch with 25 games played, and to test their ability to finish they will face the top five eastern teams. Including the Houston Dynamo twice, it will be a tough test to help gauge the legacy of this season, while looking on to the next. Admitting the MLS Cup playoffs are “currently out of the picture” John Hackworth knows now nothing is more important than a strong finish.
-Kyle Willard, PhillySportsSpace.com
@KyleUnionFIFA
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Confidence high for MacMath in second MLS season
By Andy Jasner of philadelphiaunion.com
When Zac MacMath entered Major League Soccer as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 SuperDraft, he wasn’t sure what to expect.
Now, he expects anything. Check that – everything.
In just a season-and-a-half with the Philadelphia Union, the talented goalkeeper has experienced a plethora of events. It has made MacMath stronger in so many ways, especially mentally.
“Yeah, absolutely, I can’t believe I’m still only 21 and I’ve seen a bunch of players and coaches in the league and a lot of guys here are older and have been here longer and haven’t seen some of it,” MacMath told philadelphiaunion.com after a recent training session. “I just try to take away something from every experience and learn from it and move on. It’s definitely not what I expected. Any player’s dream is to be the starter for their team, and to be the starter in my second year is an unbelievable experience for me and something I’m trying to hold onto.
You can read the rest of the article here: Confidence high for MacMath in second MLS season
When Zac MacMath entered Major League Soccer as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 SuperDraft, he wasn’t sure what to expect.
Now, he expects anything. Check that – everything.
In just a season-and-a-half with the Philadelphia Union, the talented goalkeeper has experienced a plethora of events. It has made MacMath stronger in so many ways, especially mentally.
“Yeah, absolutely, I can’t believe I’m still only 21 and I’ve seen a bunch of players and coaches in the league and a lot of guys here are older and have been here longer and haven’t seen some of it,” MacMath told philadelphiaunion.com after a recent training session. “I just try to take away something from every experience and learn from it and move on. It’s definitely not what I expected. Any player’s dream is to be the starter for their team, and to be the starter in my second year is an unbelievable experience for me and something I’m trying to hold onto.
You can read the rest of the article here: Confidence high for MacMath in second MLS season
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