Last week our writer Pat posted a list of 15 reasons why you should have been at the US Open Cup semi final. We decided that we will try to post a similar list once a week on a variety of MLS or soccer related subjects. Today we will look at why the Philadelphia Union, and MLS as a whole, deserve more media coverage then they are receiving.
1. The Union recently look good
Over the past few weeks Union fans have been enjoying some of the most exciting soccer we have seen from the team since their creation. We are scoring goals, playing incredible defense, and using an entertaining style of soccer. If non-soccer fans are going to watch a match, this is the type of team they should take a look at. Unfortunately, Union games are only broadcast on the Comcast Network with a minimum amount of advertising. The games that do make it onto channels like ESPN 2 or NBC may hit more viewers but still are not marketed well. When was the last time you saw a commercial for a soccer game on a major network that was not shown during another soccer game? Exactly.
2. Other Philadelphia teams either look bad or are out of season.
The Eagles are in pre-season, the Sixers and Flyers are also in their off season, and the Phillies are in last place of the NL East with a 40-51 record. Being a Philadelphia sports fan is a bit of a drag right now. Many people in the city are looking for a team that has been performing well and strives under pressure; the perfect fit for the Union. Sport’s news has also been slow and will probably continue to be until the Olympics start, so why not fill some of that gap with a local team?
3. There is an audience for soccer in Philadelphia
PPL Park holds a little over eighteen thousand fans and the Union have consistently sold out the stadium for league games. When the Union played Spanish giants Real Madrid at Lincoln Financial Field last season the total attendance was over 57 thousand. Over 30 thousand fans came out to see the US Men’s National Team play Mexico last year also. These numbers all prove that soccer does have an audience in the Philadelphia area. Of course teams like the Phillies and Eagles have a stronger hold on the sports fans of the city but these numbers are not low enough to 100% cut soccer out of the media spot light.
4. Philly is already a sports town
As mentioned multiple times above, Philadelphia is a huge sports town. The city tends to soak in any major sporting event that comes to it. If more marketing and advertising were done in the area, there is no doubt in my mind that the number of Union and soccer fans will grow. Thankfully the city is seeing its fair share of large teams coming in, with the next being the return of Real Madrid as they play Scottish Premier league champions Celtic. These games with well known foreign teams are probably the best advertisement the Union can get until they are shown more through television ads.
5. The Union and fans can basically market themselves
Anytime I bring a soccer virgin to a Philadelphia Union game they always leave telling me the same thing: “the atmosphere was amazing.” Yes, the River End is full of passionate and loud fans but so is most of the stadium. Being part of this “third team” in the stands whose only purpose is to yell at players and question the referee’s decisions is quite the experience for most non-soccer fans. It makes you want to go to as many games as you can and to support this club. The team also wants you to pay attention to them. They are a third year team full of young but talented players. This underdog of a team basically is a movie script. All you would need to do for commercials is show the passion of the SoBs and the youth of the team and BAM, commercial. Then you would need to air it once in awhile. I know the Union have some commercials like this already but how often do you see them used?
How do you look at this and not want to be in the middle of it?
Credit to Paul of Jersey Shooter
6. No one knows who we are
You ask any Philadelphian to name some players on the Philadelphia Union and you will get one of two responses: either “The Philadelphia who?” or “Freddy Adu”. There is no connection between the Union and Philadelphians mostly because no one knows who is on the team. Even if you are not a football fan you knew who Donavon McNabb was. The signing of Freddy Adu was great if just to give the team a face that people recognize. Now that the team has a player that most people have at least heard of we can start getting him out there more. Get him interviews on TV, then start bringing in a few other players with him. Eventually, and slowly, the city will start recognizing the faces of the team.
7. Watch the future of American soccer grow up
Last summer we learned that the only time America cares about soccer is during the World Cup. What many people in Philadelphia don’t know is that there are many players on the Union that have a legitimate chance of playing for the US Men’s National Team either this World Cup cycle or early next cycle. Talented players like Amobi Okugo, Sheanon Williams, Freddy Adu, Michael Farfan, Jack McInerney, and Zac MacMath all have shot to be called into the men’s camp. Of course not all of them will be chosen but wouldn’t it be cool to say you were a fan of them before they became national sensations?
8. You still have time to be a fan and not a bandwagoner
Since this team is only three years old the fan base is still growing. If you start following the Union now you will not be thought of as jumping on the bandwagon because you will be one of the originals. Add the fact that the Union started off shaky at the beginning of the season and there is no way you can be called a front runner. Being able to market the team to the population by saying they can be part of the beginning is not something many franchises get the opportunity to do.
9. Union fans are awesome
As passionate as the Union fans are, they are also genuinely good people. There is a sense of community among fans, particularly the Bens, that you do not get with many other teams. I have met numerous awesome people by just going to a few tailgates, walking around the parking lots before games, or talking on Twitter. The Sons of Ben give back to the community by holding charity events or doing public works. The SoBs will be joining the Philadelphia Union Foundation with building a playground in Chester that was partly designed by Chester kids.
A lot of fans in the greater Philadelphia area were hoping to root for Bolton as a second team and many kept tabs on Seba’s season thus far up north, supporting him all the way. That kind of support got a lot more complicated today as the NYRB officially announced a trade which will send Sebastian Le Toux to Harrison New Jersey and Jamaican winger Dane Richards to Vancouver. The move allows the Red Bull to fill a gap as Richards had been replaced by Jan Gunar Soli on the wing of late due to solid RB play from Brandon Barklage. Richards will be able to play alongside Jamaican countryman Darren Mattocks and add much speed to a hole at right wing for Vancouver. It seems to be a very good trade for both teams, but for the Union and their supporters its hard to imagine. The best player in the first three years of our clubs existence now plays for our only real rival. Is it possible to still root for a player you respect as much as Philly has grown to respect Le Toux when they play for one of the top teams in the league and your biggest rival? The Union play NYRB at Red Bull Arena one week from today, Saturday July 21st, and that question will surely come up more than a few times between then and now.
Whatever you think of Bob Bradleys tactics, he’s a classy guy. After the riot that broke out at the Ahly-Masry game, and the ensuing riots that broke out across the country in response Bob Bradley was in Sphinx Square today with his wife Lindsay today. He was marching in the streest with protesters. I have personally never had more respect for Bob Bradley. He was asked by an Egyptian newscaster why, as a foreigner he decided to come out and responded “It’s very simple. … When a tragedy like this occurs, I think it’s important to show respect.” He’s right, but his method of respect will surely put a big target on his he, although he has surely gained a large group of unmoveable fans. This is possibly the most important diplomatic step from any American towards the situation in Egypt.
I’m gonna go ahead and assume that everyone has seen this already but the SoB’s invasion of RBA has reached an entirely new level. Red Bull is welcoming us. This might as well have been a huge white banner of surrender. I understand coordinating with them to put them all in a specific section, but how do you welcome the opposing teams supporters group this openly on your website? Somebody must have lost a bet.
Not that the crowd isn’t important but there’s an even more important game going on on the field. There were two of the top scorers in the league and some of the most promising talent. Le Toux had a hard start to the season but came out on fire as soon as he started. Thierry Henry had a legitimate shot at the Golden Boot until sticking his not-so-golden boot into Roger Espinoza’s back and earned a red-card which means he’ll miss the game. Rafa Marquezz is still Rafa Marquez in name at least. Tim Ream and Juan Agudelo are both fighting for USMNT spots. Luke Rodgers has shown to be the heart of this team. Henry being out means that Dane Richards, still one of the fastest players in the league, or Agudelo one of the most promising young players will start(its assumed it’d be Dane). They’ve got talent and could easily pull off a result at home. The Union will also be missing Veljko Paunovic for this game with a hamstring injury.
And that’s all they need. A tie and the Red Bull are in the playoffs. The Union are already in but have a chance at ending up first in the east in their second year in the league with one of the youngest teams in the league. (As an aside, this team looks good now, but Mwanga, both Farfans, McInerney, MacMath, Okugo, Torres, Pfeffer and a few others could be around fror a long time. They’ve got potential to do big things the next few years, especially if Nowak can keep the core of older players alongside them.) The easiest way for the Union to get the top spot in the east would be a win and a loss or tie by Sporting Kansas City, but here are the possibilities. I went with the top four teams(SKC, Union, Crew and Dynamo) because they’re the only teams that have a chance to move into the top three spots. Red Bull could also end in fourth, but the odds are low and I’m primarily concerned with whether we get first and whether we get a bye. If we win we definitely get a bye, although there are other ways we could get one. Anyone who reads this whole thing, I commend you. To keep it simple for the rst. If the Union win they probably get 1st. If they tie they probably get 2nd. If they lose they probably get third. Its not likely that they wind up without a bye but its possible if they don’t pick up the win tonight. This is as big a game for us as it is for NYRB.
Union Win 51 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Win 50 1. Union 2. Crew 3. Dynamo
Union Win 51 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Tie 48 1. Union 2. Dynamo 3. SKC (Goal Differential)
Union Win 51 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Loss 47 1. Union 2. Dynamo 3. SKC
Union Win 51 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Win 50 1. Union 2. Crew 3. SKC
Union Win 51 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Tie 48 1. Union 2. SKC (Goal Differential-9) 3. Crew
Union Win 51 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Loss 47 1. Union 2. SKC 3. Crew (Head to Head)
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Union Win 51 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Tie 48 1. Union 2. SKC(GD-9) 3. Crew
Union Win 51 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Loss 47 1. Union 2. SKC 3. Crew
Union Win 51 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Win 50 1. Union 2. Crew 3. SKC (H2H)
Union Win 51 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Tie 48 1. Union 2. SKC (H2H) 3. Dynamo
Union Win 51 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Loss 47 1. Union 2. SKC (H2H) 3. Dynamo
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Union Win 51 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Win 50 1. SKC (GD-2) 2. Union 3. Crew
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Union Win 51 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Win 50 1. SKC (GD-2) 2. Union 3. Crew
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Union Tie 49 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2. Union (H2H) 3. Dynamo
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Union Tie 49 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2.SKC (Goals For-5) 3. Union
Union Tie 49 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Tie 48 1. SKC (Goals for-5) 2. Union 3. Dynamo (H2H)
Union Tie 49 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Loss 471. SKC (Goals for-5) 2. Union 3. Dynamo (H2H)
Union Tie 49 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2.SKC (Goals for-5) 3. Union
Union Tie 49 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Tie 48 1.SKC (GD-2) 2. Union 3. Crew
Union Tie 49 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Loss 47 1.SKC (Goals for-5) 2. Union 3. Crew (H2H)
Union Tie 49 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2.SKC (Goals for-5) 3. Union
Union Tie 49 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Tie 48 1.SKC (Goals for-5) 2. Union 3. Crew (H2H)
Union Tie 49 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Loss 47 1.SKC (Goals for-5) 2. Union 3. Crew (H2H)
Union Tie 49 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Win 50 1. SKC 2. Crew 3. Union(H2H)
Union Tie 49 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Tie 48 1. SKC 2. Union (H2H) 3. Dynamo
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Union Loss 48 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2. Dynamo 3. SKC (GF-5)
Union Loss 48 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Tie 48 1. Dynamo 2. Crew (H2H) 3. SKC (GF-5)
Union Loss 48 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Loss 47 1. Dynamo 2. SKC (GF-5) 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2. SKC (GF-5) 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Tie 48 1.Crew (H2H) 2.SKC(GF-5) 3.Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Loss 47 1. SKC(GF-5)2. Union 3. Crew (H2H)
Union Loss 48 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2. SKC(GF-5) 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Tie 48 1.Crew (H2H) 2.SKC(GF-5) 3.Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Loss 48 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Loss 471. SKC(GF-5)2. Union 3. Crew
Union Loss 48 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2. SKC (H2H) 3. Dynamo
Union Loss 48 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Tie 48 1. SKC (H2H) 2. Dynamo 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Loss 47 1. SKC (H2H) 2. Dynamo 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2. SKC 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Tie 48 1. SKC 2. Union(GD-9) 3.Crew
Union Loss 48 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Loss 47 1.SKC 2.Union 3.Crew (H2H)
Union Loss 48 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Win 50 1. Crew 2. SKC 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Tie 48 1. SKC 2. Union(GD-9) 3.Crew
Union Loss 48 SKC Tie 49 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Loss 47 1. SKC 2. Union 3. Crew
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Union Loss 48 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Tie 48 1. SKC 2.Dynamo 3. Union (GD-9)
Union Loss 48 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Win 49 Crew Loss 47 1. SKC 2. Dynamo 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Win 50 1. SKC 2. Crew 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Tie 48 1. SKC 2. Union (GD-9) 3. Crew
Union Loss 48 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Tie 47 Crew Loss 47 1. SKC 2. Union 3. Crew (H2H)
Union Loss 48 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Win 50 1. SKC 2. Crew 3. Union
Union Loss 48 SKC Win 51 Dynamo Loss 46 Crew Tie 48 1. SKC 2. Union (GD-9) 3. Crew
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I planned on attending two games this week a while ago and didn’t realize how significant they would be. The first game was the recent USA vs Mexico game, which was obviously a big deal in itself, but pumped up a lot more due to Jurgen Klinsmann joining the team. Of course Sunil and the gang still managed to screw things up by setting the game for a Wednesday night at 9 o clock; a bit off of prime time as far as most people are concerned. The support was fairly weak from both sides. Presumably a game on the weekend would have seen crowds coming in from out-of-town to attend. Even a 7 or 8 o’clock start would have made the game a ton more accessible. Never the less the game was played and players looked good and players looked bad. WE’ll start with the bad.
It was fairly obvious that Edgar Castillo was not the best player on the field; especially after he got hit in the back of the head surrendering a corner. If we had any kind of depth at the left back position he would be out of the team for a while. Although looking at who else we have available, I wouldn’t be shocked if he shows up pretty soon again unless things fall apart for him at his club. Also he looks like an alien.
Jermaine Jones absolutely disappeared from the game and we totally forgot he was on the field. We saw Brek Shea and another light-skinned player warming up on the sideline. Everyone in my group assumed it was Jermaine until they announced that he was being subbed out and Juan Agudelo was being subbed in. He was that unnoticeable.
The good side of it, as has been reported everywhere was from a bunch of MLS players. Brek Shea, Robbie Rogers, and Juan Agudelo all put in pretty solid performances. I was personally very impressed with Brek Shea, and not quite as impressed with the other two. Neither did anything much wrong, but they both put in good games at a time when they are midseason and most of the other players competing were in preseason. It is a factor for sure. So while they looked good, they should have looked good considering that fact. Shea looked great though. He looked better than almost everyone on the field in the entire second half. I understand Mexico’s team had been a bit depleted by pulling subs, but Dos Santos didn’t make quite the quality or quantity of plays that Shea made in the time he was in. Again consider his form a factor, but Shea impressed a lot of people and earned more of a look.
That’s only part of why this is Brek Shea week here in Philadelphia. The other game I was supposed to be attending that also became a much more prominent one than I had first expected was Saturdays game against Brek Shea and FC Dallas. Dallas has looked nothing short of spectacular for most of the season, in no small part thanks to Shea. On second thought, imagine what this team will be able to do if David Ferraira comes back the way he was last year. As we have seen first hand an MVP season can be hard to replicate but it would be very interesting to see that teams attack.
After impressing for country Shea is back to impressing for club; who will be facing off with the Philadelphia Union tomorrow night. Obviously the Union saw how many headlines Shea was grabbing and felt a need to grab a few of their own from their next competitor. Those headlines all came in the form of very bad puns. “Much Adu About Nothing”,”Just Adu It” “Adoop.” Freddy Adu was welcomed back to MLS as Chivas was no longer an option. As all the headlines told you, he was reunited with his former coach and mortal enemy Piotr Nowak. Apparently things were exaggerated a bit and Adu actually came back, in large part, for the opportunity to play with Nowak again. Interesting, but what I find more interesting is what this means tactically.
Presumably (read:hopefully) this means that Justin Mapp will be pushed to the sideline, while it also likely means that Roger Torres has lost a few rungs on the ladder of this team. As much as I would love to see Freddy and Roger creating in the middle of the field, I can’t imagine Nowak doing it and not having the two of them get beat up on every single ball in the air. We can’t have two players in one midfield standing under 5 foot. There’s a rule against that somewhere I’m sure. I don’t expect Adu to come in and start tomorrow, although I would assume he gets his first appearance this weekend as the team is on the road after that, but I would say I do expect him to be a pretty significant player for the Union by the end of the season. If we don’t get any one else added to this team (the only name I’ve heard is Juan Pablo Angel, who doesn’t really piqué my interest anymore and definitely not for his price tag. Maybe short-term till Nowak decides Mwanga can go 90, we’ll see), this is the lineup I would expect to see come out from here on out, with a few notes on key subs.
Mondragon
Williams Valdes Callif GFarfan
Carroll Adu
Le Toux Daniel
Paunovic McInerney
Obviously Mwanga playing the same super-sub role he has lately. Torres or Mapp coming in for Paunovic or Daniel, with Le Toux filling in any adjustments necessary.
What I’d really like to see happen by the end of the season, at least at some point, purely for excitement. I do think it could realistically be an occasional lineup for the coming seasons as Jack, Danny and Roger grow up a bit, although the odds of this are pretty low seeing what it would do to our ability to win the ball back in the midfield. Of course if you don’t ever give it up in the first place…
Mondragon
Williams Valdes Calliff G Farfan
Carroll
Torres Adu Le Toux
Mwanga McInerney
We’ll see what Piotr does this week.
“We are a supporters club. By definition we should be supporting the club. YSA is having a direct negative impact on the team that we say we support. It cost them another suite holder this weekend. If you support the team and want it to be financially sound, us getting rid of YSA is a no brainer. If the chant means that much to you, I would ask that you start a YSA Supporters Club and hand in your SoB membership. I’m sure the team will be happy to seat you elsewhere. I am that serious about not wanting to be personally affiliated with that chant. Not only is the chant not original or funny, it has little effect on anyone except your fellow fans, especially parents and/or businesses trying to entertain clients in a non-offensive environment. Impacting these patrons impacts the team. If you want to rattle a goalie, learn his wife’s or sister’s name. I don’t mind the Score a Goal chant or swearing in general and will defend our rights to do so. But this chant is loud and lame and makes us all look immature and it is time for it to go.
Ad finem fidelis
Bryan James President”
I know a lot of people don’t like to be told what to do and a lot of people don’t like YSA and are telling you all to stop it, but YSA is really dumb. Generally I hate stealing chants from other places and this is th absolute epitome of that. (Yes we stole Doop, I didn’t like that at the start either, but the energy that’s gone behind that has turned me around a bit.) I absolutely think the best things we’ve done are the most creative things. The Peter Vermes Give Us Your Keys bit last year was absolutely beautiful. Some of the chants and Tifos we’ve had up against the Red Bull and DC United have been just as good, even if many of them aren’t exactly original. Everything we do should have at the very least a personal touch and YSA is the exact opposite. I can’t imagine hearing You Suck Asshole after every kickoff has any meaningful effect on the players because they’ve all heard it so many times. I’d love to hear something more creative come out of the River End. You guys have been great in every other way and I think the push back against YSA is one of the better signs of the things you guys have done. Maybe a specific keeper directed chant ould ork well for each game. Even something like yelling a dragged out “Union” on it would be good. YSA won’t catch on around the stadium, and getting something that could come in from around the full stadium would be awesome. These are the kinds of chants we need.
Of course the best way to end something as dumb as YSA is to actually come up with a much better alternative, which shouldn’t be particularly hard.
A few suggestions,
1. Uuuunn-Ioon. (The closest thing I can think of is Notre Dame taking kick-offs yelling Go on the kick and Irish on the catch. It’s not the most creative but it works and could fill the stadium in a very cool way)
2. Phi-la-delph-ia (I really like the idea of something simple here, especially if it’s just moving something we already do into this spot. These are less suggestions and more nominations really. Although this probably means a few YSA fans still get there’s in as the rhythm is the same, hopefully the rest of us can at least out blow them.)
I know neither of these are particularly creative, but I think that either of them works better than YSA and is much more associated with this team in this town (obviously.) I’m sure other people have more creative ideas, I’ve seen a few on BigSoccer, but this is all I’ve got at the moment. If you’ve got any better ideas put them in the comments.
Most of the news this week is about the upcoming games, Union and USMNT. In case you somehow missed it the Union home-opener is this weekend against Vancouver and the USMNT is taking on Argentina on Saturday (and Paraguay next week.)
For starters here is a video put together by USSoccer of past games against Argentina, including goals from names like Wynalda, Lalas and Johnson, and big saves by Keller Of course there’s the same from Messi, Riquelme and Crespo.
And of course Tim Howard’s absolutely dominating performance against Argentina in the Meadowlands in 2008.
For starters a few links on US players you might not know too much about who got called up for this game
Marcus Hahnemann
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/23/marcus-hahnemann-wolves-pilot
Timothy Chandler
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=7549
Chandler and fellow German-American David Yelldell
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/double_deutsche_duo_of_timmy_chandler_david_yelldell_fitting_in_on_us_national_soccer_team/2011/03/24/ABr5z2QB_story.html?wprss=rss_sports
A few articles on other players you may know a bit more about, or just other things related to the USMNT-Argentina game in any way.
Jay Demerit on the game and a few other things, along with an article on Lionel Messi
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/blog/_/name/young_mark/id/6254169/the-chance-stop-messi
Brad Guzan, who won’t be playing at all for the US this summer
http://www.dailysoccerfix.com/2011/3/24/2069728/brad-guzan-not-available-for-summers-gold-cup-not-in-u-s-camp
A look at how Bob Bradley makes these selections
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/sports/soccer/25vecsey.html?_r=2
Tim Howard talks about the 2008 game he played against Argentina in Jersey (highlights up top)
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/03/howard-turning-focus-to-gold-cup-while-preparing-for-familiar-friendly-foe.html
Maurice Edu: The Last Action Hero
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/i-was-set-to-be-last-action-hero-before-maurice-edu-snatched-glory-1.1087319
Jozy’s from Jersey in case you forgot
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=7551
http://www.nj.com/soccer-news/index.ssf/2011/03/tossed_around_europe_jozy_alti.html
The go-to Soccer By Ives piece (and comments) on who should start
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/03/who-will-the-usmnt-start-vs-argentina.html
A little eye into Cary Camp
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/03/25/1079783/us-mens-team-ends-cary-stay-gets.html
A look at German-American soccer players, in light of Yelldell and Chandler
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/41714/usas-german-american-pipeline.html
And a look at the Union Vancouver Game,
Nowak says the lineup is still changing
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soccer/118560839.html
A “keys to the game” style preview of the game. I think these things are almost worthless but I know someone will want to read it.
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2011/03/24/2409700/head-to-head-preview-philadelphia-union-vs-vancouver
Valdes is eager to please
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/118635839.html
A little bit of DOOP-troversy the Union have trademarked the word DOOP and its causing quite a scare around the supporter base. They’re very anxious to see how it turns out and what it means in practice.
http://www.brotherlygame.com/2011/3/24/2069616/philadelphia-union-trademark-doop-sons-of-ben
http://unioncityblue.com/?p=747
Video of Chad Ochocinco’s practice with Sporting Kansas Cityhttp://www.nfl.com/videos/cincinnati-bengals/09000d5d81eea388/Kickin-it-with-Ochocinco
I thought about doing a game-preview but decided I don’t have the time, and a million other people are doing the same thing. So instead here’s a collection of some of the best DOOP-related comments I’ve seen TODAY in celebration of the opener. If you have your own to add throw them in the comments.
Here’s a preview if that’s what you’re looking for this afternoon.
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/03/preview-union-dynamo
And here’s some doop if that’s what you’re looking for this afternoon.
barbcvphilly Island in the Sun came on – whole family said “Doop Doop” between verses. #DOOP
Scott Richards For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only #DOOP, that whoever believes in #DOOP shall not perish but have eternal life. #DOOP 3:16
Then there was the #doopmovetitles piece on twitter this morning, a few of the best below.
Smoore1117 “#DOOP Story 2″ #doopmovietitles
bisonhawk 
The Wizard of #DOOP #doopmovietitles
sonsofben The Spy Who #DOOP -ed Me #doopmovietitles
ventur514 Hey @SoB_Corey, would PPL be The Temple of #DOOP?
@SonsofBen #DOOP the Right thing. #doopmovietitles
LittleSpaero There Will be #DOOP #doopmovietitles
kpsullivan Live Free or Doop Hard #doopmovietitles
kleonowich 
@SonsofBen #DOOP it like Le Toux #doopmovietitles
kpsullivan The Doop With Mondragon Tattoo #doopmovietitles
Ansbro23 Quantum of #DOOP -ace #doopmovietitles
SageEryin (500) Days of #DOOP #DOOPmovietitles
Hey sorry this is a little late, my power’s been out most of the day so I couldn’t get online, but here’s a list of articles I recommend reading to hold you over to Monday. Of course tomorrow’s the first Doop of the season so I’m sure you’ll find something to keep you busy till my next post. I decided that I’m going to try to do a Monday write up for all the weekend games. I know I’d said before that I’d try to get one during the weekend, if we can get a playoff game I’ll promise you a live post or something along those lines but until then this is the best you’ll get. Anyway here’s your links..
Reading United Head Coach Brendan Burke will coach the Union reserve team. He’ll continue to coach Reading
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=295553
How Jay DeMerit got to Vancouver
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/faces-first-kick-jay-demerit
US Soccer is taking input on a new motto. You’ve got till 12pm on the 23rd to submit your ideas.
http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikesoccer/2011/03/18/create-the-new-usmnt-motto
Bin Hammam is running, for real
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/18/mohamed-bin-hammam-fifa-president
USWNT “How I Make Myself”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u84kXsK5WY&feature=player_embedded
A different kind of look at Juan Agudelo’s call-up and the state of the US youth programs.
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-enroutejuanagudeloscallupto
Spain to play USMNT at Gillete in June?
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/3/18/2058462/spain-usmnt-usa-friendly-gillette-stadium
The driver in Charlie Davies infamous car accident is headed to jail
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6232286/driver-charlie-davies-crash-gets-2-years-prison
His court statement
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/post/charlie-davies-court-statement/2011/03/18/ABQLAdq_blog.html
A bit of information on recent USMNT call-up David Yelldell
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/usmnt-call-catches-yelldell-surprise
Keon Daniel, Gabriel Farfan and Levi Houapeu are no longer just trialists. All three signed.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/18/2122362/union-sign-trio-on-eve-of-season.html
In the wake of the recent tsunami and earthquake in Japan, Union City Blue. Here is how Union City Blue recommends helping out.
http://unioncityblue.com/?p=695
Also it seems likely that the Japan squad that was supposed to compete in the Copa America may pull out of the tournament due to the disaster
bpmangan
mattsant16
Pat
