USA falls to Ghana 2-1 in extra time

The US men's national team is out of the World Cup.  Once again they fell to an early goal in the 5th minute and then 3 minutes into extra time.  Defensive lapses early in games have become the trademark of this team.  No team can win every game playing from behind.  They are the comeback kids, but not this time.  It is a shame because they had a very favorable route to the semifinals.  Up next would have been Uruguay.  However, for the first time since 1930 the US won their group.  They cannot hang their head too low in this tournament.  There is disappointment though.

Coach Bob Bradley made some questionably starts.  Everyone was puzzled when Ricardo Clark started in the midfield over Maurice Edu.  It was Edu who played a perfect game against Algeria.  Clark was stripped of the ball early and conceded the first Ghana goal.  Later he would receive a yellow card.  His third in three games.  He was substituted for Edu in the 30th minute.  Finley came off at halftime for Benny Feilhaber.  Finley's pairing with Altidore did not work.  They did not work together and at times Finley was hard to locate on the field.  He had a great chance in the 1st half when he was alone against the goalkeeper only to fire a soft shot right into the keeper. 

With Feilhaber and Edu the US moved Dempsey upfront with Altidore.  They controlled the 2nd half much like the Algeria and Slovenia games with this lineup.  It was Feilhaber that set up the penalty kick on a great pass to Dempsey before being hauled down in the box.  Later in the game a beaten up Altidore was substituted for Hercules Gomez who was completely ineffective. 

What lost the game for the US was the coach.  Bob Bradley did a wonderful job with this squad and will, rightly so, continue to coach this team.  He said after the game that the US was out of gas in the end.  The reason why was because at half time he had wasted two substitutions on replacing Clark and Finley.  Two players who should have not started.  He replaced Altidore with an ineffective Gomez instead of giving the best player in MLS, Buddle, a shot.  In extra time you need fresh legs, we had no substitutions left because of mistakes in the starting lineup.  Those two late substitutions would have helped us in extra time. 

I am very proud of this team.  I am proud of the job Bradley did in coaching this team.  He made a mistake against Ghana.  Hopefully he learns from this which I think he will.  I cannot help being left with a bad taste in my mouth of wonder.  We had a favorable group and a favorable table in the Knockout phase.  The door was open for us to make a run.  We did not.  There is always next time and for the core of our team, Altidore, Dempsey, Donovan and Michael Bradley, they will be around for the next World Cup.  Hopefully so will the coach.  Nice job US, were proud of you.

Until next time,
USA USA USA

Today is the opener of PPL Park in Chester.  I will be there and reporting tomorrow or tonight with the game and experience of the park.  GO UNION!

USA downs Algeria 1-0

Ninety minutes of heartache.  Ninety minutes of pain.  Another blown call for the USA.  So many chances.  Then it was Donovan.  The all time leading scorer for the USA leads a charge, the much maligned player for the U.S., the man we were all waiting for to step up and be the player and leader we all expected.   He plays a beautiful pass to Altidore, who's shot is blocked and Donovan follows his own charge to score the winner.  The crowd went wild, I went wild.  The shot heard round the world.  No more "Landycakes, no more baby."  He has finally grown up.  He has finally earned his reputation.  As he said on the ESPN interview after the game: "Were not done yet!" 

What was most impressive about this game is we did not give up.  We never figured we were out of it.  The nails were chewed to the bone we were waiting and then it happened.  No flags, no bad calls.  WE WON! 

Bradley changed the back four around and they played a phenomenal game.  Jay DeMerit and Carlos Bocanegra were perfect centering the back four.  Altidore played the game of his life.  I was not too impressed with Hercules Gomez and the switch to Buddle was perfect.  Edson Buddle came on and played a wonderful game.  Bob Bradley once again made some perfect changes in the 2nd half. 

Now we wait and see what happens between Germany and Ghana.  Who will we play on Saturday?  Who cares.  'Were not done yet!"

Until next time,
Uncle Sam's Army needs YOU!

Koman Coulibaly

Coulibaly has replaced Bin Laden as the most wanted man in the world to the U.S.  I have watched the replays a thousand times and still have been unable to see a penalty.  I should say a penalty on the U.S.  There were penalties on that play.  Bocanegra, Altidore and Bradley were all being held with Bocanegra thrown to the ground.  I watched again and could not see it.

What makes it all the more fascinating is that Coulibaly's refusal to even explain the call.  When asked by players on the field he refused to give an explanation.  He just stood there.  Landon Donovan asked him in a non threatening way and Landon was not sure if he understood what he was saying.  I can see that when you have referees from all over the world, there is always a language barrier.  But even now he still refuses to comment.  I am not a conspiracy theory type of person, but something is not right about this.  FIFA will not address the performance before Monday.  Yahoo sports reported from an unnamed FIFA person that Coulibaly was given a "Poor Performance" in the match.  He could see action again as a linesman or 4TH referee.  It is highly unlikely he will be in charge again.  He should be sent home.  He should receive the Red card for his performance.

To put it all in perspective, the U.S. should never have been in a position to have that happen.  Again they started slow and went in the hole 2-0 at half.  Landon Donovan gave his teammates hell in the dressing.  Telling his teammates; "If you do not believe in miracles, I do not want you out there."  He backed it up on a spectacular goal and helped set up Michael Bradley's tying goal.  Thankfully the football Gods have a way of making everything right when Algeria shocked a hapless England into a 0-0 draw later that day.  We control out own destiny.  We win were in.  No matter what happens in the England match.  We cannot start slow.  The U.S. team grew up a little bit on Friday.  Now we must seize the opportunity. 

In other news:
-  Marking the 60TH anniversary of Winston Churchill's famous speech to Britain in 1940 the UK Guardian's headline about the English draw to Algeria: "Never have so few, given so little to so many."  Wayne Rooney cursing out English fans and his teammates not sticking up for him.  I understand that there is going to be a "Clear the Air" meeting today in the English locker room.  Here is an idea:  too many chiefs, not enough Indians.  Too many star players and no role players.

-  France continues it's implosion.  Nocolas Anelka was sent home after telling coach Raymond Domenech to go bleep himself.  He reused to apologize.  The coach hates the players, the players hate the coach, the players hate each other and the country hates the team.  What a winning recipe.

Until next time,
USA USA USA

England 1-1 USA 2010 World Cup Highlights And Goals Clint Dempsey Goal R...

A picture says a thousand words.  England's keeper Robert Green lets an easy one go through him to give the US's Clint Dempsey a goal to tie it up.  Dempsey broke through the middle of a stout English defense and fired a relatively easy shot on net.  Green misplayed it and all of England sighed.  You hate to see something like that happen, but in England they are already calling it the worst goalie mistake in World Cup history.

Steven Gerrard put England ahead in the 4TH minute when Emile Heskey found Gerrard unmarked in the box who fired one past Tim Howard.  I thought it was over after that and the flood gates would open.  However I was wrong.  Thankfully.  The back four for the US were stellar.  Oguchi Onyewu was stellar.  He stood strong in the back and looked like the preinjury Onyewu who is our best defender.  The midfield was fantastic and the speed upfront kept England on their toes the entire game.  It was a great team effort for the Red, White and Blue. 

Tim Howard proved again why he is one of the best goalies in the world.  He stopped Heskey from point blank range.  He was the man of match and kept us in the game. 

I think what was more shocking was Bob Bradley out coached Fabio Capello.  Capello made some mistakes during the game.  Robert Green in net, not having the experience, was a shocking start for many.  Ledley King paired with John Terry was also a shock and King had to come off at the half due to an injury that saw Jamie Carragher come on.  His lack of pace played well for the US when Jozy Altidore blew past him and almost won the game for the US.  Green made a tremendous save that hit the post and kept the game at 1-1.  The speed of the Americans worked well against the English Defenders.  James Milner had to be substituted for the speeder Shaun Wright-Phillips because American defender Cherundolo was creating havoc down the right side and Milner could not contain him.  Bradley also came up with a great game plan against the best striker in the world, Wayne Rooney.  Rooney did not get a touch until the 17TH minute and was almost a non factor in the game.  They shut him down completely. 

The New York Post called it a 1-1 WIN.  "The greatest tie against the British since Bunker Hill."  Across the pond they were not so happy.  It was a loss for the British even though it was a tie. 

Uncle Sam's Army is in full march and ready for Friday's match against group leader Slovenia who defeated Algeria 1-0.  This is a must win for the US.  They will be ready, I will be ready, Uncle Sam's Army is ready.  Are you?

Until next time,
USA USA USA.

Buddle nets 2 as U.S. down Australia 3-1

U.S. National Team coach Bob Bradley has a problem.  The kind of problem any World Cup coach would love to have.  How does he sit Edson Buddle.  Buddle scored twice yesterday to lead the US to a 3-1 victory in a friendly over the 'Soccerroos."  His first goal was a brilliant run and a rocket strike that flew past the goalie to hit the upper right of the net.  His second was a run into the box unmarked that headed in a wonderful cross from U.S. defender Steve Cherundolo.  From ESPN: "I gave [Bradley] a bit of a headache probably, but it's a good headache," said Buddle. "I think it gives us confidence going into the first match."  No one tonight was concerned that Altidore was on the bench.  Though for the US to succeed, we need a healthy Altidore upfront.

The back four for the US was a little shaky at times and still have the problem of defending free kicks and corners.  Australian midfielder Cahill was left unmarked on a corner that he tapped home for Australia's only goal.  Overall the defense played well for the U.S.  But this is no England.  Wayne Rooney and the rest of the Three Lions will give the U.S. defense all it can take next Saturday.  They will be ready.

Robbie Finley played well upfront with Buddle.  Though missing an open net will haunt him.  Finley made a great run and move on the keeper, only to sail his shot wide right of an open net.  He played well for most of the game and tracked back repeatedly on defense to help out.  He had more good moments than bad.  Gomez came off the bench in the second half to add a third goal for the U.S. in stoppage time on a great pass from Landon Donovan.  Michael Bradley had another stellar performance in the midfield for the U.S. He did the dirty work on defense and helped to clog up the middle of the field for the defense.  He will have his hands full next week with Lampard and Company, but he is up for it and will shine.  Both U.S. goalkeepers, Howard and Hahnemann played very well.

This is clearly an attacking team built on speed.  If the U.S. is to succeed, it most score goals on the counterattack.  We are not going to win anything on defense.  But we can on offense.  The midfield will need to track back next week in the opener and help out.  Michael Bradley is our best defensive midfielder and can create a road block up the middle for the U.S.  When they get the ball, they need to get up fast and to Donovan and Dempsey to run at the English and look to cut across the field and find Altidore, Buddle, Gomez or Finley.  Bradley has a problem upfront.  Too many inform strikers, a problem that any coach right now would love to have. 

Until next time,
USA USA USA!

Fire down Union 2-1

The Chicago Fire frustrated the Union last night in Chicago.  The fire played a 4-5-1 style that clogged up the middle all night.  When the Union took control of the ball they had problems breaking down Chicago's defense through the midfield.  Despite playing an attacking 3-4-3 in the second half, there was little spark from the Union attack.  Mwanga, Salinas and Torres failed to create chances and looked lost most if not all of the night.  The only player for the Union who really forced the issue was Le Toux who launched a rocket over the bar in the 44th minute and a set piece in the 69th.

Brian McBride was the lone striker for the Fire.  He played a great game and was the man of the match.  He created havoc in the Union back four.  However, Danny Cahill marked him the entire game and may have played the best game of his short Union career.  Where McBride was, Cahill was.  Seitz also played well last night.  Mwanga scored a third straight extra time goal and is becoming an instant hero for the Union faithful.  He has a knack for being spot on in the final minutes of a game.  Something every team needs at the end, especially when you play continuously down every game. 

Until next time,
GO UNION!

Mwanga scores in extra time.

Danny Mwanga scored his first goal for the Union in extra time to earn a 1-1 draw at home against F.C. Dallas.

The Union today played excellent Football. I say "Football," because for the last six games we have been playing "Soccer." Dallas got on the board first in the 13th minute when Jeff Cunningham found Atiba Harris at the top of the penalty area.

The Union controlled play throughout the game. They totalled 21 shots overall and Dallas keeper, Kevin Hartman, made some tremendous saves to keep them ahead. Seitz played his best game yet for the Union and the back four were a wall. We lasted 59 minutes until our first yellow card and managed to keep all 11 men on the pitch for the entire game. The passing was crisp and the Union controlled the game.

Moreno and Le Toux were phenomenal up front for the Union. They created havoc at every chance. The midfield dominated possession all game and the back four were stellar. What was most important was the fact that they played football. They were in possession most of the game and all the passing was controlled and spot on. Yes, there were a few errand passes, but overall I am proud of the way they played. They showed pose and maturity the entire game. Nowhere were the mistakes of the previous game. I came away from this game with hope and satisfaction.

This was the game Union fans were waiting for. Yes, they tied at home. But this was the game we expected to see at Seattle, Toronto and LA. This is the team that without mistakes is our Philadelphia Union! They do not stop, quit or give in. They fight, do not forget that we have scored 3 goals a man down. When there are no stupid penalties or passes they play wonderful football.

I left the game tonight with my niece feeling pride. Pride for my team, they did not stop and in the end against one of the best defenses in football they stole a point. It was a great walk to the car. I hope one day I can turn the car radio on and hear a UNION post game show on the radio. Congratulation to the Union. I am proud of them and after Mwanga's goal they went and celebrated a little but wanted to get back to the game because they wanted all 3 points. The "Sons of Ben" were in tremendous voice tonight and rallied the team on. I look forward to the next game at home, the first at our new PPL Park.

Until next time,

GO UNION!!!

P.S. LET'S GO FLYERS!!! Way to go Flyers on becoming the 4th team in sports history to come back from being down 3-0 and win a seven game series.

The Philadelphia Union have announced that Celtic F.C. will come to PPL in Chester this summer to face the Union in a friendly. Celtic will replace the game that was to be played by Valencia on July 14Th at 8:00PM. To have a team the caliber and history of Celtic F.C. come play is a true treat to Union supporters.

Celtic came in 2nd place this year in the Scottish Premier League to it's hated rivals Rangers. The "Old Firm" match between the two clubs is one of the most heated rivalries in all of European football. Celtic have a long and successful history. In their 122 year history they have won 34 Scottish Cups and 42 League Championships. They also have a strong following of supporters in the region and America. It will be a tough ticket to come by.

I have to congratulate the Union front office by securing two delightful and anticipated friendlies in Celtic and Manchester United. It is a great chance for us to see European football at it's finest. Hopefully by then the Union will be up for their best football and we can put these past mistakes behind us. Hopefully Robbie Keane, one of Ireland's finest footballers, will still be wearing Celtic. At least the Union have hope!

In other news: Congratulation to Chelsea for winning the Premiership. As a Manchester United fan it was tough to watch the celebration and lose the league by one point. But, the table never lies and Chelsea deserve the championship, especially after the way they have just destroyed their opponents over the last couple of weeks. Now we wait for next year. Thankfully we have a wonderful tournament coming up called the "The World Cup" to keep us football busy.

Do not forget this Saturday the Union are finally at home on Saturday at 4PM to take on F.C. Dallas at the Linc. See you there.

Until next time,
GO UNION!

Manchester United Tour

Manchester United has announced it's North American tour. One of Europe's most fabled teams is coming back to North America. The Red Devil's played against Barcelona in Lincoln Financials' first football game years ago. Now they return.

Manchester United will start their tour in Toronto against Celtic on July 16Th. Then on July 21st they make their triumphant return to Lincoln Financial field in South Philadelphia to play the newest MLS team, the Union. July 25Th will see them travel to Kansas City to play the Wizards and capping off their tour on July 28Th against the MLS All-Stars in Houston.

This blogger is excited because although I am a Union season ticket holder, I am also a die hard Red Devil. To see the likes of Scholes, Giggs, Valencia, Rooney, Nani.... what a treat for Philadelphia and what a great way to make our mark on the world of Football. This is a wonderful day not only for the Union but also for the City to host one of the greatest football teams in the world. I already have my 4 tickets to the game which Kit will I wear.....that's a tough one.

Until next time,
GO UNION!

Union lose to L.A.

Eddie Buddle netted two goals and an assist to lead the L.A. Galaxy over the Philadelphia Union in L.A. Buddle now has nine goals in six games to lead the league and make National Team Coach Bradley, seriously consider adding him to the US Men's team roster.

DeLaGarza opened up the scoring for L.A. in the first minute on a lovely ball from Buddle. Buddle then scored in the 27Th minute when Union keeper Seitz deflected a cross in the box that fell to Buddle who had entirely too much space and time to knock it in. Then in the 44Th minute Buddle took a pass from Donovan to put L.A. up 3-0. Buddle was clearly offsides on the pass, but fortunately for L.A. the linesman did not notice.

The 45Th minute saw Red again for the Union. Union midfielder Fred, made a run and tried to split the Galaxy midfield. They closed the door on him and Fred hit the turf hard. It was a clean hit, no argument. Union player Stefani Miglioranzi, whether he did not like the challenge on Fred or was just frustrated on the night, came flying in, studs up, on the Galaxy players and was shown the straight red. Union down to 10 men.

What was more disturbing about this red card was that it was after the whistle in stoppage with criminal intent. Five games into the season the Union are 1-4. In those five games they have only played 2 of them with all 11 men on the field for 90 minutes. They were outplayed by a better team. They continue to be their worst enemy on the field and the lack of discipline has to reflect on Coach Nowak's coaching style.

Jack McInerney at least brought some pride back in the 84Th minute when he scored the Union's only goal on a wonderful run from Fred. The Union gave entirely too much space to L.A. in the game. The back four for the Union need to close those spaces down and mark their men. Final score: L.A. 3, Union 1.

Until next week,
GO UNION!

Another Game, another meltdown

The Union once again outplayed their opponents. They have been dominating in the midfield and upfront in their first 4 games. With half their games being played a man down they never seemed out of the game and were always one pass away from scoring. At the end of the first half the games was a nil-nil draw.

The second half started out well. The 50Th minute saw a beautiful cross from the Red Bulls enter the box and Salou headed in the first goal of the game for a 1-0 Red Bull lead. Seitz could have made a play on the ball, but he hesitated too long and swatted his arm in a pathetic attempt to clear it. The ball fell to Salou who made a simple head strike.

Nine minutes later, Sebastion LeToux tied the game on a brilliant pass from Moreno on the left side. Moreno crossed the ball brilliantly from the right to a charging Le Toux who instead of crossing into the Red Bull defenders stayed outside and nailed it for a 1-1 score.

We had life back in the game until yet another back four melt down occured. The preseason strength of the team is now turning into a crutch. The Red Bulls crossed a ball into the box and Union defender Orozco lept to head it out and hit it with an over stretched arm. Penalty kick to the Red Bulls, second penalty kick allowed in as many games. I have no idea what Orozco was thinking. Looking back on the replay, it was a clear penalty and another Peter Nowak poorly coached melt down.

With Seitz in goal it was an easy Red Bull Penalty kick for a 2-1 lead in the game. The game ended 2-1 to the Red Bulls. As the announcer said: "Same old story for the Union." They are their worst enemy. Though I will say that Seitz played well, except for the mental mistake that lead to the first goal. He was composed at the back and the defenders passed well to him and he was cool under pressure.

As usual another poorly coached and undiscilplined team from Nowak lost another game. The Union have talent, they control the ball well and counter attack brilliantly. They are a team to be feared. They need discipline. They need to stop making these costly mistakes. We dropped points today. We dropped points against Toronto too. Crucial road points that mean a lot to a team that has so many road games in the beginning. Now I know what it means to be a Liverpool fan.

GO UNION

Manchester Derby

Brilliant day for Manchester United. It was a hard fought game all the way. Either side could have won the match. With United trailing Chelsea by 4 points in the table and only a handle full of games left we needed a miracle. It was 35 year old Paul Scholes who delivered that miracle in the 93rd minute, sealing a 1-0 Derby victory.

Manchester City came into the game riding a streak of brilliance. They have been crushing opponents and old Manchester United favorite, Carlos Tevez, still with something to prove to United boss Sir Alex. The matchup that City wanted was Craig Bellamy vs. United defender Gary Neville. Bellamy and City were hoping to take advantage of Neville age and lack of speed, but it was the wily old veteran who was constantly the irritating force to Bellamy. He stopped him at every chance and in the 77Th minute when Neville slid into Bellamy's cross attempt and knocked it out Bellamy gave him a hard push in the back as Neville tried to get up. Clearly he was frustrated with Neville.

Rooney started the game for United and played well. He had a great chance in the first half, but sailed the ball wide. He came off in the 70Th minute for Berbatov. It was back and forth for the remaining 10 minutes with both teams flying up and down the pitch. Manchester City had it's best chance when United keeper Van der Sar misplayed a cross and the ball fell to City. Tevez and his City mates hacked at the ball but it was United's defender Vidic who while falling down stopped not one, but two shots from going in.

With less than a minute left in the game it was United's Patrice Evra who broke into space and lobbed a beautiful ball into the box where un-marked Paul Scholes with the snap of his neck headed home the winner to the bottom corner of the goal. The Manchester City home fans fell silent and the United traveling fans roared in amazement as Scholes ran to the fans and was mobbed by them and teammates. Sir Alex and the rest of the United bench were jumping up and down as they just stole 3 points from City to keep our title hopes alive and apply the pressure on Chelsea.

Congatulations to Paul Scholes for the first time in a long time playing a complete game with NO yellow cards!

In other news, Tottenham beat 1st place Chelsea 2-1 at home giving them only a 1 point lead at the top of the table with 3 games left. Tottenham has now passed Manchester City for the coveted 4Th place spot which they lead by 2 points.

Go Man. U. RED DEVILS!

Another game, another Red Card.

Another game, yet another red card received for the Union. Danny Califf received the Union's second red card of the season, three games in. Coach Nowak has promised a physical team. However, it seems like this team is poorly managed. I did not expect much going into the season because it is MLS. It seems like this team just cannot keep their composure under pressure. On a very poor pass back to the keeper, Califf stuck out his elbow and commited a poor penalty that resulted in the Union being a man down for most of the game, yet again.

Chris Seitz, Union keeper, had another horrific evening. Following up his potential disaster last week against Seattle, allowing the game tying goal, he came out this week with something to prove. Seitz gave up a soft goal from the set piece. It bounced off his hands. The Union tied up the game in the 44th minute on some wonderful passing that saw 18 year old wonder kid, Roger Torres, lob a beautiful ball over the heads of Toronto defenders to Jordan Harvey. Harvey took a perfect strike on goal to tie the game and give the Union the hope of salvaging a point in this early season road game.

The second half saw the Union defend well being a man down. They clearly controlled the game. However, Seitz became Seitz. He played a throw ball too late and gave Toronto the game winning penalty kick, by missing the ball and tackling the Seattle striker in the box. The Union fough back as hard as possible, but Seitz clearly is a cancer to this team. He almost cost us the game against D.C. United and now this debacle tonight. Nowak clearly has his hands full with this team. They are undisciplined, and poorly coached. I think a message needs to be sent to Seitz.

We need to start a new keeper next week. We need to practice passing the ball back to the keeper. We need a better coached and disciplined team. This team is better than what we have seen. At least that is my view. The stupidity needs to end, the keeper needs to go. The coach......

GO UNION!