We mentioned before that there’s been a lot of additions this offseason, and the team looks like it could really be revamped for the coming season. But of course as the transfer window comes to a close on the other side of the pond we may have to take a serious look at some of our favorites leaving. Being sucha young team we haven’t really had to deal with loss yet. Ale Moreno was pretty well liked, but he’d only been here a year and wasn’t the best player on the team. Carlos Ruiz was arguably one of the best on the team, but was widely disliked and didn’t even complete a full year before heading to Mexico. Maybe somebody was upset about Jordan Harvey?
Now we have to contend with a few more serious chances of loss. Danny Mwanga and Seba Le Toux aren’t definites to come back. Michael Farfan was training with Sunderland although it was confirmed that that was not a trial and was just training. Amobi, Zac, Jack and Zach all went on training stints too although they were never really expected to go anywhere. Keon Daniel may never return depending on how his Dengue Fever and passport issues are going. Freddy wants to go back to Europe already and Roger Torres’ team is going bankrupt and we have no idea what they want to do with that loan. Paunovic has also officially retired.
In theory all of these players could leave(although the players who are just training are all but definitely coming back), but some would be bigger set backs then othersThe real threats to leave are Keon, Seba, Danny and Roger along with Veljko. Other than that we’re probably pretty set.
Keon Daniel
No one knows what is going on with this guy. He was a real favorite of mine for all of last season. I had many conversations about whether or not he deserved to be considered a star on this team. Although Nowak couldn’t even decide if he should be a starter, the “loss” of Justin Mapp makes Keon a bit more needed. Then again, Gabe Farfan could move up from LB to play LW, and play like his brother did. I’d still really like to have Keon back, or at least know whats going on with him. All we really know is that Keon was protected in the expansion draft and there hasn’t really been any obvious efforts to replace him.
Veljko Paunovic
I liked Veljko as much as anyone on the team. He had one of the scrappiest attitudes I’ve ever seen and seeing that off the ball was one of my favorite things about watching games at PPL versus on TV. He really caught on with the fanbase and the fanbase really caught on with him as we could all see in his Twitter letter to the fans. He was great while he was here, but seeing as he got here at well past 30, we knew his second retirement would come soon enough. We’re more or less prepared for the loss, considering the wealth of strikers we’ve added this offseason and hope(fingers crossed) of improvement from Freddy Adu.
Roger Torres
Literally no one knows. Colombian former giant America de Cali, the team that actually(presumably still) holds Roger Torres contract, was relegated for the first time in their club history. With the Colombian leagues struggling for cash, sending loads of players to MLS, it is unclear what exactly Cali might want to do with Roger now. It’s been speculated that being caash strapped might urge them to take the Unions money and let them have him. Others have said that Cali might want to keep a relatively cheap young player who could help them rise back to the top division as quickly as possible. f course knowing how the Michael Orozco Fiscal loan deal went down last year, we have no idea what might be happening on either side of this conversation. Roger was also protected, so presumably the Union have some interest in him. They also protected Fiscal before his loan expired without anyone outside the club knowing.
Sebastien Le Toux
Everyone thought Seba’s trip to England would be a permanent one, and there’s still belief it could be, but with a recent report from Sporting Life saying that Le Toux didn’t impress enough to make the deal happen no one would be surprised to see him of of Bolton’s bench and back into our starting lineup. It’s amazing that with only two years under our belt we already have an MVP caliber player and face of the franchise who we can’t imagine the team without. It was no big shakes when we thought it might be Danny leaving, the first player we ever drafted, but for Seba to go would be heart-breaking. Of course if he can make it in Europe we have no right to expect him to do any less. At least the transfer window closes and we’ll have a definitive answer on him soon.
Danny Mwanga
Danny was a source of speculation as soon as the Union drafted Chandler Hoffman. Everybody knew he was gone, but then we realized maybe Seba was gone instead. Nobody has any idea yet what is going on, but it’s interesting that reports came out today saying that Danny is currently training with Aston Villa. This is the preseason and a key part of a totally recreated strike-force is training with another team in another country. It’s strange timing to say the very least.
Amidst Keon Daniel’s Passport issues, Michael Farfan’s potential transfer to Sunderland (they’ve been passing this around), the Union shopping Danny Mwanga, Roger Torres loan deal coming to a close, Freddy Adu’s yearning for Rayo (I’ve also heard that he’s a potential trade bait for the Revs 3rd Overall Pick),and the Olympics this summer it’ll be very interesting to see where we end up at the end of the offseason and even where we think we have holes for the draft.
Combine that information with this quote “The Brotherly Game was informed by a source with knowledge of team plans that the Union will be “selling some young players for profit this year.”"
It’s already been an interesting offseason, with the additions of Martinez, Gomez and Khalfan, Lopez and even McLaughlin but it looks like we should prepare for some subtractions before we realize our net gains. The Union hav e a few more to add today with choices in the MLS Draft expected by most pundits to cover depth along the defensive line.
So two years in and we got eliminated in the second rounds of the playoffs. With a bye to get past the first round the Union managed to slip into the second round of the playoffs. Despite losing to Houston in a series that was not particularly well played their performance this year was extremely impressive. We were expected to be improved, but did anyone expect us to be in contention for first in the east on the final day of the season? Or to lead the East for a large portion of the season? What impresses me most about this team is this.
MacMath-20
Williams-21 Valdes-26 Tait-21 G. Farfan -23
Okugo-20
M. Farfan-23 Adu-22 Torres-20 Daniel-24
Mwanga-20 McInerney-19
Subs:Pfeffer-16, Nakazawa-23 Richter/Langley/Houapeu-22
If the Union had to start a game tomorrow with players who were at or under the league average age this is what it would look like. There are three players on here who absolutely should be starting. If we add Le Toux, Carroll and Califf into this lineup for McInerney, Okugo and Tait we have a lineup that I might even have preferred to the teams Nowak put out for the playoff games. I was much more upset to see Miglioranzi on the field than I would have been to see MacMath.
MacMath-20
Williams-21 Valdes-26 Califf-31 G. Farfan -23
Carroll-30
M. Farfan-23 Adu-22 Torres-20 Daniel-24
Mwanga-20 Le Toux-27
Subs:Okugo-20 McInerney-19 Nakazawa-23
Obviously my point doesn’t heal the wounds of a poorly played and poorly managed playoff exit, but it shows that the majority of our starters are (well) below the league average age. This team is extremely young and will only get better. Next year they will bring back Keon Daniel, bring back a healthy Freddy Adu who seemed to carry an injury through much of the season, along with just about every other player improving purely by getting a year older and wiser. If they can keep this team together, not the easiest thing in MLS, they will surely be competing at a higher and higher level for the next few years.
I seem to have forgotten about this site a bit recently. I was in the dregs of Finals with a broken computer and wanted to spend as little time as possible in the school library, but there are a few things I’d love to discuss, obviously the Gold Cup and the Spain game are huge and I’ll try to put up a piece on them before the Spain game comes around. In short, the roster looks exciting but it’s disappointing not to see a player who is already at the top of my list on the US Squad in Timmy Chandler. Anyway more about that later. Also I’ve been writing a short weekly piece for Yanks Abroad Video Highlights for anyone interested in a look at potential USMNT members playing in MLS.
What I really want to discuss is the Union’s current turn back to last years offensive form (combining with this years defensive form to lead us to the top of the table). Although they may have faced two of the worst teams in the league the past few weeks, they did put up 8 points against them. Mwanga has started to get started and Seba can’t be too far behind. Justin Mapp played great against Toronto (although everyone plays great against Toronto) but what I am really excited for is the same thing everyone else is excited for. I’m looking to take a nice “GM” to the Supporters Shield. Gabe and Michael Farfan have turned out to be two of the more surprising players on this squad. We expected defensive improvement with Valdes, and Mondragon joining a more united back-line and a more established Sheannon Williams. We expect (although they haven’t scored as much as we’d like they’ve been doing great work and will surely get a few before the end of the season) a great season up-top from Seba, Mwanga and Ruiz, but the Farfan twins in the middle of the pitch (and everywhere else) along with Keon Daniel have really been impressive.
Michael played great at mid before going back for Jordan Harvey, where he played even better. Then he scored a potential goal of the week if he hadn’t been beat out by Carlos Ruiz golazo. Gabe Farfan has been all over the field and done just as much as his brother with only slightly less recognition. This pair is only 22 and if they keep improving they could have great careers ahead of them. Along with these two is the slightly more veteran Keon Daniel at 24 who has gotten a little less time, and substantially less print but he has done nothing but impress me when he gets on the field. The most distinct memories I have of him were the perfect overlaps and pinpoint passing between Daniel and Michael Farfan against Portland.
We have all heard many point to the veteran leadership really being what helped to improve this team so quickly, but we would be remiss to forget just how young most of this team is. To give an idea of that, the players under 25 on this team (along with the above mentioned) include Sheannon Williams, Danny Mwanga, Roger Torres, Jack McInerney, Amobi Okugo, and Kyle Nakazawa. All of whom play significant roles along with Zach Pfeffer, Chris Agorsor, Zac MacMath and the rest of this years draft class who have shown promise despite not yet playing for the team. This is not “our year.” Not to say we shouldn’t play like it is, we have a a chance to do something significant this year, but also for years to come. If this team stays together they will be a good team for a long time, someone in the front office and in the scouting department is doing things right.
I also wanted to mention Kyle Nakazawa’s Team Dinner to benefit Aspergers Awareness through the Ascend Group of Philadelphia. It looks like this will be an annual thing and is another sign of the great things this organization does for the community.
So everybody is talking about the refs this week. Obviously they did a terrible job in this past game. In my personal opinion neither Harvey’s Red Card nor Okugo’s PK should have been called, although I was more ok with the PK because I believe very strongly in the idea that it’s ok for a ref to bad because he can never be perfect, but if you’re gonna be bad at least be balanced and he was. I don’t really want to talk about the refs though. Everybody else is talking about how his first goal will really light a fire of confidence under Seba; I don’t quite see it. First off I can’t see one goal lighting off a huge fire of confidence in any pro-player. Don’t let me make you think its not a good thing; I’d be glad to see Seba score and I hope he continues doing so. The thing is it was only a penalty, not in game, not in game, a penalty. (Sorry for the way-back Iverson reference.) I can’t imagine scoring a penalty does as much for his confidence as a goal in the run of play. If he had scored during the run of play I could see all these things coming in to play, maybe he found a good spot. Maybe his first touch has settled down. Maybe he gets some real confidence from something like that, but not a PK. What I really want to praise the Union for is their possession, particularly after losing Jordan Harvey. It’s always odd to see a team really perk up after losing a player. I’ve heard many explanations for it, maybe it’s the pressure, maybe its the extra open space, maybe its the change in form. Whatever it is I’d love to see the possession stats on it. If the Union play like that for the rest of the year, they can definitely keep this record up.
On that topic, I’m still not sure this team is for real. They seem to make a lot of mistakes for a team so high on the table, but they went through the section I picked out before the season as hardest pretty successfully (LA-Seattle) and they look like they can play with top teams. The defense was obviously a huge flaw last year and we all said that with an average keeper we would be a playoff team, but I guess I didn’t realize how big an effect a keeper can really have. That said the offense is nothing like it was last year. Mwanga and Le Toux have yet to get involved, although Ruiz has been doing pretty well. He hasn’t quite been in his previous superstar form, but he’s still better then I expected, hopefully Mwanga and Le Toux step up and take advantage of teams needing to spread a bit thinner with the three of them.
Another thing I was very happy to see was Roger Torres get his first start, the red card took him out and we didn’t get to see how he lasts for 90 minutes but hopefully hes in Nowak’s plans. He adds a lot and he may just be what it takes to get that top line kicking. Parallel to that is one of the other subs who came in, Michael (I believe, I will confuse them as long as they are with the team) Farfan. Farfan played wonderfully and really kickstarted Keon Daniel too. His passing was great, his movement was great and his defending was more than acceptable. If we could keep our defensive form with more attacking fullbacks I will never have a problem with it. This was one of my biggest fears for the season, that we don’t have a real fifth defender on the roster. I have seen others play there and they haven’t done terribly but Farfan played the best I’ve seen. Having him in next week for Harvey is something I’m totally comfortable with.
America!
Clint Dempsey broke Fullham’s all-time scoring record beating out Brian McBride with 33 goals, including 2 this weekend. Dempsey has really begun to blossom into a very good international player. I would venture to say that if he were on a bigger team he would be noted as one of the best American players in history, and he deserves it. Those who really pay attention almost always cite Clint over Lando as the most important field player on the team (Tim Howard deserves his own arguments.)
Also of interest to USA fans is that Hans Backe has said he doesn’t expect Dwayne de Rosario to play for Canada in the upcoming Gold Cup. It’s not exactly a huge revelation, but it’s a bit of reassurance. DeRo hasn’t played with the Canadian team in some time and is one of the better players from the Great White North, so not having to worry about him makes the Gold Cup a much easier task for the US.
That’s all I’ve got this week. If you’ve got anything else or want to get in touch with me about something put it in the comments or send it to me at broadsthooligans@gmail.com.
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
Trinidadian Keon Daniel joined the Union on their preseason trip to Greece. The dreadlocked midfielder was easy to pick out in Union camp, but as the Union had announced a list of players that had signed and those who had not it seemed likely that all of the trialists had been let go unless they had signed. It seems that along with Colombians, the Union have a sweet spot for Trinidad and Tobago players on their revamped roster. Joining Keon Daniel in camp is Thorne Holder who has already signed and will likely bak of Fayrd Mondragon during the season.
UPDATE: According to reader Scott Kessler from the Brotherly Game, “Chris Agorsor was the first half sub. Levi was drafted in the SuperDraft. It was Keon Daniel and Gabriel Farfan (Michael’s twin brother) in the second.”
UPDATE:Based off this picture posted on the Union Facebook page it seems that Keon Daniel, and Levi Houapeu were the two second half trialists, although we still haven’t figured out who the first half trialist was.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6224571&id=89209317187&fbid=10150103513177188
So this basically looks like a starting lineup for a real game next season. The biggest question this raises who’s the trialist?
Here’s a chance to look at the formation and try to figure it out. It seems like they listed them in line with position as well to make things even easier. As we know Nowak has always been a fan of a 4-4-2 and that is unlikely to change.
Mondragon
Harvey Valdes Califf Williams
Mapp Carroll Nakazawa Le Toux
Trialist Mwanga
Obviously none of this should come as a huge surprise, but I’m putting it more out of interest in who the trialist is than interest in the formation Nowak will be playing this season. Obviously this narrows it down to a striker. That leaves Aaron Wheeler, Ryan Richter, or Chris Agorsor. Of course we’ll get back into this later
2.Sebastien Le Toux puts the Union up 1-0 early, assisted by Justin Mapp. #MLS#DOOP
I’ve also heard reports that Mwanga may have been in on the first goal, but we’re trusting Union sources here and reporting it as Le Toux’s. Again no huge surprise here as Le Toux comes into the season with MVP level expectations. A goal and a no-goal in the first pre-season game doesn’t really mean anything but two significant plays on goal in the first 16 minutes of any game is nothing to spit it.
Again, let’s look at the formation and see what it means.
MacMath
Trialist Orozco Fiscal Arrieta Noone
Trialist Migliaronzi Okugo Jacobson
Richter McInerney
The first thing it means is that Richter was not in the starting lineup, the second is that Richter is no longer considered a trialist. Does that mean he has a contract? I honestly don’t know, if anybody could give me an answer on that it’d be great.
Second two more trialists come in, one at fullback and one in the midfield. That means that there are at least three of the six trialists who are getting serious consideration.
4.80′: Muyl equalizes for the U-17′s, assisted by Mion. 1-1. #MLD
The only thing this really means is that whoever runs the Union twitter account, either has big thumbs or just forgot how to spell MLS. Other than that we didn’t see the goal so can’t tell you exactly what it means for the backline and MacMath.
I’ll try to get that link up as soon as I find it.
An article on first round Superdraft pick Zac Mac and his progress in training camp in Wayne.
>>http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/01/macmath-adjusting-quickly-first-preseason
The Philadelphia Union trialists have all finally been identified. The sixth trialist has been confirmed as striker Aaron Wheeler, formerly of Miami FC. He joins Jeremiah White, Keon Daniel, Chris Agorsor, Thorne Holder and Michael Farfan‘s brother, Gabriel in trying to find a spot on this years team.
The Sons Of Ben did an interview with 16 year old Union player Zach Pfeffer. No real hard pressing news out of it, but exactly what you would expect from a supporters club covering a 16 year old on their own team.
>>http://beta.sonsofben.com/the-zach-pfeffer-interview/
An article on training camp in Wayne with a nice video of the camp, and an interview with Nowak, also a few comments from newcomer Brian Carroll.
An interview with local Spanish language commentator Julio Cesar Largo about the Colombian Community in Philadelphia, the Union and what growth he expects from the team.
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