Top 10 Philadelphia Sports Games In 2011

Last year, I debuted my now annual end of year Top 10 list for best Philadelphia sports games of the year.  Even though there was so much less excitement and great games this year, the list is back this year, anyway!  Last year, I felt the ordering of the games, including what was the number one game, was very clear cut.  This year, not so much.  But I will make an attempt at it anyway.  With all the sadness, scandal, and shame this year has wrought on many a people in the area, perhaps looking back at the year's higher moments will be a plus for everyone involved and a good way to end a shitty year on a high note.  Just like last year, I will start with some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Union comeback verse New England Revolution:  Usually I try to only post wins on here.  After all, what is worth celebrating about a game that is not a win?  Well, in soccer there are draws, and when you have a 3-goal comeback in dramatic fashion, even if the match ends in a 4-4 draw, it is still pretty noteworthy.  And thus was the exact case when the Philadelphia Union hosted the New England Revolution on September 7, 2011.  New England Revolution 4, Philadelphia Union 4



The Kids Are Alright: Following a 2nd round playoff exit to Boston that saw numerous goalie changes, Ed Snider demanded a ridiculously overpay for a position not worth a ridiculous overpay.  In order to fit that overpay in, Paul Holmgren had no choice but to blow up the team, trading the previous faces of the franchise away for youth and draft picks.  Low and behold, the Flyers first game of the season immediately followed a 15-hour banner raising at Boston.  With many fearing a rocky year, the kids played a great game and the Flyers defeated the Bruins. Flyers 2, Bruins 1



Someone From Philadelphia Wins A Trophy!:  The New Mexico Bowl.  Yes, this is the kind of year that was.  A boring New Mexico Bowl makes the list. Temple 37, Wyoming 15.

Listen To My Appearance On The Brotherly Game Podcast

If listening to me talk soccer with The Brotherly Game's founder and current managing editor is not enough to get you excited, listen for the first five minutes, where I break the news of Joe Paterno's firing to Kyle, Scott, and our listeners by reading the tweet of a Philadelphia Flyers beat writer for a southern New Jersey newspaper.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE RECORDED VERSION OF THE BROTHERLY GAME'S 2011 PHILADELPHIA UNION SEASON RECAP!

MLS Cup Conference Semifinals Leg 2 Day 2 Live Blog

Leg 2: Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo 8:30 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Taylor Twellman)

Leg 2: New York Red Bulls vs. Los Angeles Galaxy 11:00 (ESPN2 - Ian Darke and John Harkes, SR: Rob Stone) (TSN2)

An Incoherent Rambling From A Tired Philadelphia Sports Fan

(Re-posted here from The Brotherly Game.)

It is 1 AM, I am tired, but I can't sleep.  The Philadelphia Union kick off their potentially last game of the season in 19 and a half hours.  This is a post that I probably should not be writing, however, I am a college student who has been swamped with work and I am desperate for something, anything to take my mind off that.  This probably won't make much sense to you, but I feel like I need to express it.  The quality of soccer of actual soccer content in this post will be little to non-existent.  After the past few days I've had and the next couple of days I figure to have, I probably could not sufficiently analyze an upcoming soccer match even if I had to.

As a Philadelphia sports fan, the past year has been a particularly painful one.  Well, maybe painful may not be the right word.  After all, there are several sports cities in the United States that may envy the success Philadelphia has seen this year.  Every major Philadelphia sports team has gotten into the playoffs this year.  The only post-season experience Cleveland fans had this year was watching LeBron James falter in the NBA Finals.*

*Some Cleveland fans may point to the Lake Erie Monsters and say I am wrong.  Most will read "Lake Erie Monsters" and have absolutely no idea who I am referencing.  Also, after much research, they were the ONLY professional sports team remotely associated with Cleveland to qualify for anything resembling a post-season in 2011.  As a final post-script on a team you likely have never heard of before and quite as likely barely hear of again, the Lake Erie Monsters' post-season came to an end in the first round.  All things considered, they were probably showered with a parade anyway.


I sincerely apologize if this comes of wanting the cake and wanting to eat it too.*  Maybe asking for this is wanting too much.  After all, the Philadelphia Eagles had a miraculous 2010 season, capped off with a game that to this day still has its own Wikipedia page.  The Philadelphia Flyers were the 2-seed in the Eastern Conference.  The Philadelphia 76ers made the playoffs after an abysmal 2009-2010.  The Philadelphia Phillies were a 102-win team and the undisputed best team in baseball.

*I told you this post would be incoherent.


But looking ahead to the end of 2011 and the current MLS Cup Playoffs, the last professional sports post-season of the calendar year, I still feel unfulfilled.  The Eagles lost in the wild card round to the Green Bay Packers.  The Philadelphia Flyers lost in the 2nd round to the Boston Bruins and then blew the team up.  The Philadelphia 76ers lost in the first round.  The Philadelphia Phillies lost in the 1st round.  Agonizing loss, after agonizing loss, after agonizing loss, after agonizing loss.

A lot of luck is involved in the playoffs.  After all, the Phillies lost Game 5 of the NLDS by five feet.  But deserved or not, just once this year, I want something to go Philadelphia's way in the playoffs.  I want to end a great year on a great note, to be able to say at the very least the 2-year old Philadelphia Union advanced to the Eastern Conference Final.  I do not care if it ends up being deserved or not, I just want a win.  Whether or not the Union play the best possible game is irrelevant if the Union win.  Whether or not Peter Nowak manages the best possible game is irrelevant if the Union win.  I have the utmost confidence the Union will do the best they can do.  I have the utmost doubts Nowak will do the best he can do.  I submit the first half of Leg 1 as evidence of these doubts.

Take a look at the MLS standings.  The Philadelphia Union belong here.  We are in the playoffs and we deserve that.  This team is good enough.  But many other Philadelphia teams said the same thing.  They did not win.  For 2011, the Philadelphia Union represent the Philadelphia's last chance.  It may end tomorrow.  If so, everyone and myself included will say how great a year the Union had and how they are set up well for the future.  They will be right, of course.  But that does not mean I don't want this anyway.  Feelings of desperation crawl inside me saying "please, Union, please, give me something to celebrate in the playoffs in 2011."  Those on the outside will likely see this as spoiled.  They may be right, but something inside me just wants it badly.  Maybe because the Phillies loss is not even a month old.  Maybe it is because I want something to put that memory aside, if only for a brief while.  Maybe because I do not want to endure that pain I had to go through less than a month ago.

The Philadelphia Union need a win tonight.  A win by 1, and they force extra time.  A win by two or more, and they are going to Kansas City.

I'm here, I'm now, I'm ready. Holding on tight, don't give away the end. The one thing that stays mine.

NFL Week 8/MLS Conference Semifinals Live Blog

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!  DOOP!

Leg 1: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls 3:00 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)

Leg 1: Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union 5:00 (ESPN2 - Rob Stone and Taylor Twellman)

Leg 1: Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids 7:00 (FSC) (TSN2)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIVE BLOG!

2011 MLS Cup Conference Semifinals Schedule

After muting Marcelo Balboa for 90 minutes, I can confidently said I managed to save a few brain cells watching Colorado Rapids defeat Columbus Crew in the 2nd of two MLS Cup Playoff Wild Card games.  Now to the Conference Finals.  Now to recap how we got here, the lowest seeded remaining wild card team (New York Red Bulls) moves to the Western Conference bracket to face the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy.  And the highest seeded remaining wild card team (Colorado Rapids) moves to the Eastern Conference bracket to face the Eastern Conference winning Sporting Kansas City.  Yes, MLS thinks this is a good way to conduct a playoff.

Now moving forward in the Conference Semifinals, where each fixture will contain two legs, with each team hosting a leg.  Aggregate scoring will be used, and the team with the highest aggregate score will advance to the Conference Finals.  If after two legs, the aggregate is tied, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, and if it is still tied after 30 minutes of extra time, penalty kicks will determine a winner.  It is important to note that unlike other, better known soccer competitions, there is no away goal rule here.  On one hand, this makes keeping track of the score much easier.  On the other hand, can't MLS just for once do something like other people!  Even when MLS makes things easy it's not easy.  Now that you are all thoroughly confused, here is the schedule for the Conference Semifinals! (wild card seeds have been designated a #4 seed for the sake of ease) (home team listed last) (all times ET) 

Eastern Conference Semifinals

#1 Sporting Kansas City vs. #4 Colorado Rapids

Leg 1:  October 30:  Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids  7:00 (FSC - JP Dellacamera and Kyle Martino) (TSN2)
Leg 2:  November 2:  Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City  8:00 (FSC - JP Dellacamera and Kyle Martino)

#2 Houston Dynamo vs. #3 Philadelphia Union

Leg 1:  October 30:  Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union  5:00 (ESPN2 - Rob Stone and Taylor Twellman)
Leg 2:  November 3:  Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo  8:30 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Taylor Twellman) (TSN2)

Western Conference Semifinals

#1 Los Angeles Galaxy vs. #4 New York Red Bulls

Leg 1:  October 30:  Los Angeles Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls  3:00 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)
Leg 2:  November 3:  New York Red Bulls vs. Los Angeles Galaxy  11:00 (ESPN2 - Ian Darke and John Harkes, SR: Rob Stone) (TSN2)

#2 Seattle Sounders vs. #3 Real Salt Lake

Leg 1:  October 29:  Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake  10:00 (FSC - JP Dellacamera and Kyle Martino) (TSN2)
Leg 2:  November 2:  Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders  10:00 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and John Harkes) (TSN2)

2011 World Series Game 2 Live Blog

I'm going to be starting this early for the big early season Capitals-Flyers game.  Also tonight, one of the most important games in the 2011 MLS Season on ESPN2 as the Philadelphia Union take on the New York Red Bulls.

Game 2: Rangers vs. Cardinals 7:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)

Party Rock Was In The House Last Night; Unfortunately, So Was Cole Hamels

You can file this under the "You Can't Make This Up If You Tried" Department. Cole Hamels, often ridiculed for various reasons, decided to help his good pal Shane Victorino and the Shane Victorino Foundation Fashion Show last night. Now charity is all well and good, but when it leads to this, I, uh, you know forget it. This is just too damn funny. It's like Cole Hamels is trolling us now.



Cole Hamels has about as much fluidity as solid concrete.

Also, is it just me or do Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard's moves remind you of the infamous Big Dick Johnson? Okay, maybe not. At least Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard kept all their clothes on. If only we could say the same about Hunter Pence and Kyle Nakazawa of the Philadelphia Union.

Tim Howard: World-Class Hypocrite

Let me be perfectly honest. I hope Bob Bradley gets sentenced to a lifetime of coaching soccer in northern Siberia. But through it all, there are still a few players on Bob Bradley's U.S. Men's National Team that you sort of like. For me, one of those was Tim Howard.

Here is one story ESPN, Alexi Lalas, John Harkes, and the rest of those butt-fucky schmucks not named Ian Darke will not tell you.

Tonight, the Philadelphia Union played a club friendly against English Premier side Everton. Now Everton are in their pre-season, so not everyone is going to play 90 minutes. I think everyone knows that. But for the Union's standpoint (because the game is being played at PPL Park), a major selling point of the match was Tim Howard. Unfortunately, at the last minute, Everton and Tim Howard announced that he would not be playing in the match.

Now normally, this slight mis-communication could be understandable. While still a nuisance as the Union used Tim Howard as a major selling point to this match, we must understand this is Everton's pre-season and they may not want to waste their goalkeeping fixture in a meaningless match in Philadelphia.

The problem comes in when Tim Howard decides to lie about the whole thing. This is what Tim Howard told ESPN today in regards to not playing tonight in Philadelphia.

Those decisions are obviously made jointly, but unfortunately, they were made quite a long time ago. They don’t get made this week. Those types of things are discussed amongst ourselves months and months in advance.

Upon hearing of this statement, Philadelphia Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz told the following to Philadelphia Union writer Chris Vito.

"We're really surprised. One of the reasons we entertained Everton's phone call was because of Tim Howard and we were under the impression Tim Howard was playing."

Now why on earth would Sakiewicz get the impression Tim Howard was playing if the decision not to play Tim Howard was made months ago. Well, when this friendly was first announced back in April 2011, Tim Howard had the following to say.

“Philadelphia Union is a fantastic club and I’m really looking forward to playing against them,” said Howard. “Nick Sakiewicz brought me through the ranks when I was younger, I’m friends with members of their coaching staff, and one of my best friends, Danny Califf, plays for them. It's a club whose results I always look out for and hope they do well.

“It will be a tough game for us. They're going to be in the mold of their manager, Peter Nowak. He's a tough, hard-nosed former Polish international who doesn't back down. I know for a fact from being very close to him that he expects nothing less from his team as well.”

Tim Howard: World-Class hypocrite.

(h/t The Brotherly Game)

Glenn Davis Thinks He Is Kevin Harlan

While regular Philadelphia Union play-by-play announcer and one of the lone semi-decent American soccer commentators out there, JP Dellacamera, was working the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final on Fox Soccer Channel where Bob Bradley made another compelling argument for his canning, all-around awful American soccer commentator Glenn Davis was taking JP Dellacamera's place on the Philadelphia Union broadcast on 6ABC. With Glenn Davis, the mis-identifications and mis-pronunciations become so routine that you barely them by the end. So what is the big deal, here? Well after Danny Mwanga's game-winner in the 82nd minute of the Union's match against Chivas USA, Glenn Davis thought it would be a good time to do his best Kevin Harlan impersonation. Your ears are in for quite the treat.



Sound familiar?



Glenn Davis, ladies and gentlemen! JP Dellacamera can't return to Philadelphia Union broadcasts soon enough.

Carlos Ruiz Scores A Jaw-Dropping Game-Winning Goal

I'll be the first to admit that Carlos Ruiz has been a bit of a disappointment for the Union over the first third of the season. I will also admit that the goal he scored tonight against the Chicago Fire might be one of the Goals Of The Year in MLS. Check out this majestic strike from Ruiz. A little fact to keep in mind as you watch this: Carlos Ruiz is not a lefty.



It took a moment of magic, but the Union finally got more than 1 goal in a game as they held on to defeat the Chicago Fire 2-1 tonight at PPL Park. Has your jaw left the floor yet?

John Gonzalez And John Smallwood Fail At Writing About Soccer

(Originally posted at The Brotherly Game. Please go over there to comment.)

After last night's 1-1 draw, one would think that the columns in today's newspapers would be focused on the positives Philadelphia Union.  They battled an injury to their goalkeeper to manage to get their first point ever against the Los Angeles Galaxy, a team that features the most recognizable face in U.S. Soccer today, Landon Donovan.  However, unfortunately aside from a pair of game stories and a good column from Bob Ford, the mainstream Philadelphia sports media spent the rest of their morning completely trashing soccer with little factual basis.  Here is the first part of the most offensive of the column of the day, from John Gonzalez (a.k.a. Gonzo)

David Beckham didn't make the trip to Philadelphia. Five or six area soccer fans are still upset about that. The rest of you are almost certainly asking yourselves the same question right now: David Beckham was supposed to be in town?

Indeed. The L.A. Galaxy played the Union/Bimbos on Wednesday, but Beckham wasn't at PPL Park. No specific injury was cited as a reason for his absence. It's possible Beckham won't ever play professional soccer in Philly again. He's in the final season of a five-year contract. There's been speculation that he wants one last gig in Europe before he retires and becomes his wife's full-time Ken doll accessory. Those same five or six area soccer fans are probably angry that they missed what was possibly their last chance to see Beckham in person. And everyone else shrugs.

Sadly, he's slipped. His fellow Brits - who have always been fascinated by him and gave rise to his fame with their endless fanboy slobber - don't drool and obsess over Beckham quite as much now. The British tabloids have moved on to Pippa and other current curiosities. He's not even in the top 5 Davids on Google at the moment, trailing such other Davids in Internet search fame as David Yurman, David Foster, David Bowie (he's still alive), David Goetta, and David Letterman. Like Michelangelo's David, Posh Spice's David gets no online love these days.

Beckham's primary talent - ahead of his incredible ability to launch curved crosses into the box with pinpoint precision - was always getting attention. Now that's in question. His fleeting hold on the casual sports fan has long since relaxed, while his grip on the devoted soccer/football/futbol/foot-to-ball fan isn't nearly as tight anymore.

JP Dellacamera Signs Deal With Fox Soccer Channel

(Originally posted at The Brotherly Game)

The long time voice of United States soccer on ESPN is taking his talents to another network. Fox Soccer Channel, to be precise. It was announced today that JP Dellacamera has signed a 1-year deal with Fox Soccer Channel and will call their Friday Night MLS games.

Taking over the hole left by JP Dellacamera will be Adrian Healey, who has been promoted to ESPN's top MLS commentator and will work ESPN's MLS games along side the oft-criticized John Harkes.

For Philadelphia Union fans who have grown to like JP Dellacamera as the Union's play-by-play announcer, do not fret. Dellacamera will continue to work Philadelphia Union local broadcasts, with a color analyst yet to be named.

The repercussions of this are positive all around. JP is back to being a lead announcer on a national level after losing out to Ian Darke over the summer. FSC finally has a half-decent announcer. ESPN promotes the underused Adrian Healey who is serviceable in his own corny, unique way. And JP stays with 6ABC and the Union. Now if only ESPN could do something about that John Harkes problem....

Carlos Ruiz To The Union A Done Deal, Per Jonathan Tannenwald

(Originally published at The Brotherly Game)

Last week, reports surfaced that the Philadelphia Union were rumored to bring him Guatemalan forward Carlos Ruiz.  Now it appears as if it it is more than just a rumor.  Per Philly.com's Jonathan Tannenwald, Carlos Ruiz to the Union a done deal.

I was told to expect an official announcement of the [Carlos] Ruiz deal tomorrow or Tuesday. I was not given any details about whether there will be a formal introduction, the way there was for Faryd Mondragón and Carlos Valdés.

While some may be hesitant to bring in Carlos Ruiz, nicknamed El Pescadito, because of his known penchant for diving, he figures to directly replace the role of the departed Alejandro Moreno.

After a 7-year run in MLS which saw him play 164 games and score 90 goals for Los Angeles Galaxy, FC Dallas, and Toronto F.C., Carlos Ruiz spent 2009 with Olimipa in Paraguay before spending 2009-2010 in Mexico with Puebla and Aris Thessaloniki F.C. in Greece in 2011. 

Carlos Ruiz would be an interesting fit for Piotr Nowak and the Union as Ruiz is a known diver as mentioned above, and Nowak frequently takes a no nonsense approach with his players.  But the good may outweigh the bad as El Pescarito has a penchant for being able to put the ball in the back of the net.

Oh, and CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!

Philadelphia Union To Play Pre-Season Friendlies In Greece

(originally published at The Brotherly Game)

Soon after their friendly later tonight against USL Pro team Orlando City, the Philadelphia Union will pack their bags and head to the Greek isle of Crete, where they will train and play two more pre-season friendlies.

The first of those two pre-season games will be played on February 28 against Hersonissos*, a Greece Football League 2 side.  In Greece, League 2 is the third tier of football, behind Football League (League 1) and Superleague Greece.   Hersonissos (full name Olympiakos Chersonissos F.C.), are currently in a relegation battle in League 2 with a record of five wins, six draws, and nine losses, good for 21 points. Out of sixteen teams, they are in 14th, with the last three teams getting relegated to Delta Ethniki, a multi-group semi-professional league in Greece. Hersonissos are based in the small town of Hersonissos in northern Crete.

The second of these two pre-season games will come against Ergotelis F.C.  Ergotelis are a Superleague Greece side.  It goes without say they are a much more formidable squad than Hersonissos.  Ergotelis are currently in 6th place in Superleague Greece with a record of nine wins, four draws, and nine losses, good for 31 points.  If Ergotelis can end the season in 5th place, they will qualify for a 4-team finish playoffs where if they finish 3rd or better, they will qualify for the UEFA Champions League in 2011-2012.  While Ergotelis do not currently contain any American soccer players or players Americans would be familiar with through other endeavors, Clint Mathis spent one year with Ergotelis in 2008.  Ergotelis are based in the capital and largest of city of Crete Heraklion.  Like Hersonissos, Haraklion is located in the northern part of the island.

Both fixtures will be played at played at Pancretan Stadium (also seen as Pankritio Stadium).  Pancretan Stadium is located in Haraklion and is the home stadium of Ergotelis F.C.  Times of both fixtures are TBD.

* - The Philadelphia Union's schedule link has Ergotelis as the February 28 fixture Hersonissos as the March 2 fixture.  However all other sources, including the above linked press release from PhiladelphiaUnion.com indicate that Hersonissos is the February 28 fixture and March 2 as the Ergotelis fixture.

Trying To Make Sense Of The Union Waiving Brad Knighton

(Originally posted at The Brotherly Game)

Last night, Piotr Nowak made a shocking move when he decided to waive goalkeeper Brad Knighton.  Brad Knighton was the back-up goalkeeper behind Chris Seitz and while Seitz was dreadful, Knighton filled in admirably when he got his chances towards the end of the season.  In his eight games, he had a .697 save percentage (Seitz posted a .596 save percentage last season for that it is worth), allowed 8 goals, and recorded two clean sheets.  The Union's record in games Knighton started was 3-3-1.

Heading into the off-season, goalkeeper was something the Union were going to have to address.  While Brad Knighton may not yet be ready for a full-time starters role, Seitz needed to go.  And go he did as he was drafted in the Re-Entry Draft by the Seattle Sounders.  That left the Union with a big goalkeeping hole.  Most teams carry three goalkeepers, and yet the Union only had one.

Enter Faryd Mondragon.  He was not officially announced until after the SuperDraft but reports of his acquisition had surfaced well beforehand.  The 39-year old Colombian goalkeeper may be past his prime, but for a young team and, more specifically, a young back line, a veteran leader goalkeeper like Mondragon is a perfect fit for the Philadelphia Union.

The stunner came at the SuperDraft when the Philadelphia Union surprised everyone and selected Zac MacMath 5th overall.  Don't get me wrong, I like MacMath and I see him as a critical part to the Union's future, but honestly, there is little he will do to contribute to the Union this season.  Chances are he will spend most of the season on the reserve team.  And for a 19-year old kid coming out of college and having never played professionally before, it will be all the better for him.

As unexpected as the MacMath selection was, it did solve the Union's goalkeepers problems.  They had Mondragon, their veteran starter for this season and next season, Brad Knighton, the young competent back-up, and MacMath, the exciting young prospect in the reserves.

The Philadelphia Union Might Want To Think Their Jersey Sponsorships Through A Bit More

This just looks wrong.

The good news: The Philadelphia Union have a sponsorship and will make a lot of money.

The bad news: The sponsor is the worst named sponsor in all of soccer. As you can see from this picture, Bimbo, the world's largest bakery, is the Philadelphia Union's 1st jersey sponsor. While it is pronounced "BEEM-BO," the spelling of the word reminds everyone of "Bimbo," a word for a woman with low intelligence and sexual promiscuity.

Not only that, but the red, white, and blue symbol looks absolutely ugly on the dark blue and gold kits.

Now this is a positive step in reaching out to the Latin America community, something that the Union have struggled with in the past. Bimbo are also the company rumored to be buying TaskyKake a few years down the line. Also, one of their big plants is in Horsham, PA, outside of Philadelphia. So this is a company with local ties that financially may bring some good things down the line.

But I'm never going to get past the spelling of the name.

(Check out The Brotherly Game for more Bimbo coverage.)

The Philadelphia Union And Freddy Adu: The Perfect Couple?

(Originally posted at The Brotherly Game.)

In any off-season, there are plenty of rumors and speculation.  Some of them are worth writing a story on.  Others are not.  This one most certainly is as it combines one of the United States' most talked about soccer players with the Philadelphia Union.  A writer at MLSSoccer.com has suggested that the best fit for Freddy Adu is with the Philadelphia Union.

All of this hinges upon whether or not Freddy Adu can be released from his European contract, but if he can, and if Adu decides to return to MLS, he could find a great fit with the Union.  MLSSoccer.com writes:

More importantly, Adu would be a fit in the attacking style of play that Nowak and the Union have established at PPL Park. His skill and vision would mesh perfectly in a fast, young squad with a penchant for quick passing combinations and running off the ball.

MVP candidate Sebastien Le Toux can take the forward spot alongside Danny Mwanga after Alejandro Moreno was lost in the Expansion Draft. That would allow Adu to roam as a floating No. 10 with wingers like Justin Mapp providing support.

I do agree here and I do think that Freddy Adu could fit in perfectly with the Philadelphia Union.  75% of the people who voted on the poll on MLSSoccer.com believe that Freddy Adu could fit with the Union.  What this article suggests would work.

There is just one problem, though.  It is not going to happen.  Freddy Adu is a known headcase and has already burnt bridges with Piotr Nowak in his days at D.C. United.  His work ethic has been challenged, and even though he is only 21, any team that picks up Adu may be paying a lot of money for a gamble.  The once teen superstar is fading fast after stints in Europe that yielded little in the way of positive results.  I'd like to see Adu on the Union, but given Nowak's past relationship with him and his failures in Europe, I do not see this happening.

Is Fred Taking His Talents Elsewhere?

(Originally posted at The Brotherly Game.)

This is not talking just away from the Union, we all know he was selected by the New England Revolution in the re-entry draft.  This is talking about is he moving completely away from MLS.  And at the very least, the former Philadelphia Union midfielder is at least contemplating going elsewhere in life by "pursuing other opportunities abroad."

Fred came to MLS in 2007 to play for D.C. United before being traded to the Union in the 2010 SuperDraft.  Fred played 25 games for the Union.  The best thing anyone can say about those 25 games are that he served as a mentor to some of the younger players, like Roger Torres.  Outside of that, Fred hardly did anything memorable on the field, scoring 4 goals and notching only 1 assist as an attacking midfielder.  When the New England Revolution selected Fred in the re-entry draft a month ago, not many Union fans were heartbroken over the fact he was departing. 

What Fred wants to do with his life his certainly his choice, although some Union fans might actually be disappointed if he does indeed decide to leave MLS.  If he decides to stay and play with the New England Revolution, for the first time ever, his on the field skills will actually benefit the Philadelphia Union.

Mwanga: "I'm Very Excited For Next Season"

(Originally posted at The Brotherly Game)

Danny Mwanga was the first pick the Philadelphia Union made in the 2010 Superdraft.  After having a solid rookie campaign, Mwanga is ready and excited to get back on the field for both his and the Union's sophomore season.  The following quotes from Mwanga come from PhiladelphiaUnion.com

"You know, it was tough because the MLS season is so much longer," said Mwanga, the Union’s dynamic forward who just completed a successful rookie season. "The training was harder, the games were more physical and it took a toll at times. The staff here did a great job preparing us for the long season. I feel like I’m going to be a better player next season because I’ll be that much more prepared."

The adjustment from the college game to MLS is not always an easy one, but Danny Mwanga certainly impressed in his rookie year.  High expectations were set for him coming out of Oregon State, and while you can't measure a guy up to initial expectations after only 24 games, there is reason to be optimistic.