Philly Union Talk

Hitting Bottom: Union @ Toronto FC

Conor O'Grady — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:59:08 +0000

Much has been made of Danny Koevermans’ recent comment in which he called his own Toronto FC “the worst team in the world.” As our senior tactical analyst Javi predicted, the Union seemed to have taken that statement as a challenge. What’s to be said about a team that can’t put a goal past the leakiest defense in all soccerdom? That hands a group of perennial and occasionally self-described losers the only victory their glory-starved...
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Cut the Crap: Philly @ Toronto

Javi Muhrer — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:07:12 +0000

We have a title fight on our hands this Saturday. Having recently dubbed themselves “The Worst Team in the World,” Toronto FC will have to fight to retain their title against contenders Philadelphia Union. Two struggling, pathetic franchises will enter BMO Field at 4:30 PM. One team will exit with the “Worst Team in the World” belt shamefully raised over their head. Keep in mind, a tie favors the holders Toronto FC. The Philadelphia Union must...
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USMNT: Pregaming US / Scotland

Rick McGovern — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:35:17 +0000

The Yanks will kick off their five game Spring set with a friendly Saturday night against the Tartan Army in sunny Florida. New faces will be looking for more time in the stars and stripes while one very familiar face looks for his first minutes with der Klinsmannschaft. The Highlanders will be playing away from home while their FA borders on implosion. In the end, there can be only one. US vs Scotland Everbank Field,...
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US v. Canada: World Cup Viewing Party with Philly Union Talk

Rick McGovern — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:39:35 +0000

2012 has already been a big year for Philly Union Talk. Piotr Nowak got a column. Shirts were inspired. The nature of fandom was debated. John O’Brien was compared, favorably, to a Yeti. Conor veered even closer to madness. It’s been a pretty good year for the US National team too. They’ve won their last four games, including a stunning upset of Italy in Turin. They’re about to kick off World Cup qualifying, a road...
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USMNT: Off to Summer Camp

Rick McGovern — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:36:29 +0000

White smoke finally emerged from Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex late Sunday afternoon, signaling the release of the final names for die Klinsmannshaft’s roster. Habemus Yanks. Goal: Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimondo Defense: Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Edgar Castillo, Alfredo Morales, Geoff Cameron, Clarence Goodson, Michael Parkhurst, Oguchi Onyewu Midfield: Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, Joe Corona, Maurice Edu, Fabian Johnson, Jermaine Jones, Jose Francisco Torres, Danny Williams, Landon Donovan, Graham Zusi Forward: Clint...
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And Jesus Wept: Thoughts on Dallas

Conor O'Grady — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:11:45 +0000

Between the din bouncing off the walls of the Irish Mile‘s basement, and the sound of Jesus weeping, one could barely hear the Philadelphia Union somehow manage to sneak away from Dallas with a point. It was friend and fellow PUT blogsmith Jon Marks’ birthday, and the Mile’s soccer-friendly bomb shelter was full of South Jersey SoB’s yelling at the flatscreens, fueled by a rare combination of rage, Guiness, and vanilla cake. Jesus, self-proclaimed Messiah and redeemer of...
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It’s Official: Califf Headed For Cali

Conor O'Grady — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:26:35 +0000

The image of the cowboy riding off into the sunset is quintessential in American film lore. The hero, sillhoutted against the sun’s last light, heads of to the next adventure, leaving behind the sadly smiling faces of those he’s rescued from whatever late 19th-century outlaws or robber barons were bleeding the town. Of course, it wasn’t his town. It never is. He’s always from somewhere else, on his way to somewhere else, stopping just long...
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USMNT: Klinsmann’s List

Rick McGovern — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:34:56 +0000

As expected, the USSF released the first batch of names Monday for Jurgen Klinsmann’s spring camp in advance of five matches to be played between May 26th and June 12th. The initial 16 names, out of a total 29 expected by the end of the week, consist primarily of foreign-based players whose seasons have ended, and MLS players whose teams have no more league games prior to the international break. These 29 will then be...
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Love Like a Roller Coaster: Union vs. New York Advertisements

Conor O'Grady — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:22:21 +0000

What does one do with a day like Sunday, when the tectonic plates upon which your worldview sits shift, shaking your beliefs about life and love and soccer to the ground, leaving you nothing to do but to bury your dead, dry your tears, and walk into the vast desert that’s left of your dreams? How does the traumatized mind compartmentalize a day that started with its preferred EPL team (yes, that one) having cup...
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Kick ‘em Back to North Jersey: NYRB Pre-Game

Javi Muhrer — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:21:02 +0000

The stumbling Philadelphia Union welcome a New York Red Bulls team riding a three-game winning streak this Sunday at PPL Park. With the Union playing ugly anti-football and the Red Bulls pressuring the Eastern Conference-leading Wizards in the standings, the Union have three ways to win this game: 1. Get really lucky 2. Have key Schalke players impersonate Union players 3. MLS suddenly switches to golf-style scoring The (New Jersey)(Pink)(Dead)(Soda)(Cows)(Bulls) This week, you get to...
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