Philadelphia Union: Taking Their Preseason Schedule By the Horns

After a leisurely 5-0 stroll through the University of North Carolina men’s team back on Feb. 13, Peter Nowak and his young expansion Philadelphia Union will get their first taste of Major League Soccer (MLS) Exhibition play. On Sunday, March 14, the Union will hit the preseason pitch against FC Dallas in a game scheduled to be played at the University of Tampa’s Pepin Stadium. Dallas is currently 3-0 in preseason play, following a 3-1 win over the University of Memphis, 4-0 win over Southern Methodist University, and a 7-1 thrashing against the Golden Hurricane of the University of Tulsa. Prior to meeting Philadelphia, FC Dallas will take part in the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Dallas will join the Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls, and Toronto FC and play two games each night on Thursday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 27. In addition to the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, Dallas also has scrimmages scheduled against the University of Central Florida, Florida International, and the New England Revolution. So by the time Dallas gets its horns into the Union, they will already have eight exhibition games worth of play to their credit. If ...

Philadelphia Union Wins Exhibition Opener 5-0 Over North Carolina Tarheels

Yes I fully understand that a professional soccer club should beat a team of college players every time out on the pitch, but forgive us here in Philadelphia for feeling exciting about the Union's 5-0 win over a very good University of North Carolina Squad this weekend. The game more than the win itself, simply means we are another step closer to the regular season and for soccer fans here in the tri-state area, it is a concept that at one time only existed in conversation. Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunion! Union Head coach Peter Nowak and his club has been in North Carolina for almost two weeks and it’s clear that the team is starting to jell. Yesterday’s game was highlighted by the hat trick performance of Frenchman and former Seattle Sounder, Sebastien Le Toux. Philadelphia’s other two goals came off the boots of mid-fielder Shea Salinas and the youngest member of the roster, 17-year-old Jack McInerney, the seventh overall pick in this year’s MLS Super Draft. The Union are in North Carolina until Feb. 16 and are expected to return to the Philadelphia area to continue preparation for the March 25 season opener at Seattle against the Sounders. In other MLS Exhibition games this weekend:    Philadelphia    5 ...

Philadelphia Union: New Stadium Late but Worth the Wait

As a season ticket holder, I am not 100% thrilled to know that I have to wait until June 27 to watch my team play in its new soccer specific stadium, but then again ,that’s just me being a spoiled brat. No I take that back, it’s like me, having to wait four months to open a  birthday present I know I really want but can’t wait to open. Unfortunately, said stadium, Union Field in Chester, Pa. is a few months behind schedule and will not be completed in time for the start of the 2010 MLS (Major League Soccer) season. By the way, it looks like the team is also close to signing a naming rights deal with Allentown-based energy company Pennsylvania Power and Light; Hello PP & L Stadium. With that said, I am still very excited about the upcoming MLS  season, because my team, the expansion Philadelphia Union will make their League debut. Can’t wait. A quick look at the team's recently released schedule reveals that the Union will play 17 nationally televised games, which is pretty impressive for a 30 game regular season. So while I wait for the new stadium to open, I will use my season tickets to ...

Will the 2010 MLS Cup Be Held at Red Bull Arena?

Just a few short weeks ago, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announced that the league's championship match, MLS Cup, will remain at a neutral site for the 2010 season. That news comes after league officials volleyed with the idea of moving the game from the neutral site to the home stadium of the higher seeded team playing in the championship match. "Following a detailed review and careful analysis of both options, we have elected to continue with a neutral-site format for MLS Cup 2010," Garber said. "We believe this format will provide an exciting environment for our fans while also allowing the necessary planning time for our key constituents. We will continue to assess the possibility of playing MLS Cup at the home stadium of the higher seeded team in the future." Major League Soccer is currently evaluating candidate cities and host venues for MLS Cup 2010 and will announce the eventual host site during the first quarter of the year. The Home Depot Center in Carson, California has always been an easy option because of its size. With a seating capacity of 27,000, it is the largest soccer-specific stadium in MLS. The Home Depot Center has actually already hosted three MLS Cup Games.  Well, say ...

Philadelphia Union: Draft Worthy and Selection Rich

With the first selection in the 2010 Major League Soccer (MLS) Super Draft, the expansion Philadelphia Union select.... Don't mean to keep you hanging here, but we won't officially know the answer to that scenario until January 14th, when the Union partake in the teams first ever Super Draft. Not only does Philadelphia have the number one overall pick, but they also have the top pick in each of the ensuing three rounds, unless of course they pull the trigger on any trades. Based on the teams current roster which consists of two keepers, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards, my guess is that they will use that first pick to select a forward, especially considering that one of their current forwards is 30 year old Venezuelan Alejandro Moreno, formerly of the Columbus Crew. From a draft stand point, the Union could not have picked a better time to be involved in the selection process with some calling this one of the most impressive draft classes MLS has ever seen. So with forwards in mind here is a look at the top five up top, beginning with the player Philadelphia will probably select with that first pick. 1.Danny Mwanga (Oregon State). A Congolese born striker scored ...