Brotherly Love Union's Nowak, Califf make peace after weekend flareup CHESTER, Pa. – It appears the air has been cleared between Philadelphia Union manager Peter Nowak and team captain Danny Califf. The club made headlines on Sunday when Nowak decided to sit Califf for the Union’s home opener, citing offseason knee surgery as the reason why. Califf responded that Nowak never approached him before the game to tell him he wasn’t in the starting lineup and told reporters that he was completely healthy and surprised by the omission. Two days later, the communication lines between Philly’s captain and coach have been reopened and the brewing controversy appears mostly squashed. “We had a good talk yesterday,” Califf said following Wednesday’s practice. “I think we resolved some issues, so I think things are going to be much better going forward. It was a good, constructive talk. We were both able to get things off our chest, so we’ll move forward in a positive way.” Added Nowak: “I think it was a very helpful and a very healthy conversation. The communication was very important from both sides.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...nowak-califf-make-peace-after-weekend-flareup
Meet the Sons of Ben Get to know Philadelphia Union's largest supporters group http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2012/04/meet-sons-ben
Union to host FC Schalke 04 May 9 at PPL Park Bundesliga side captured 2011 German Supercup Chester, Pa. (April 12, 2012) – Philadelphia Union today announced the club will host Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04 on Wednesday, May 9, 7:30 p.m. EST, at PPL Park. One of the most popular teams in Germany, Schalke currently sit in third place in the Bundesliga and are just one win away from a top four finish and a spot in the Champions League next season. Schalke feature stars Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, currently ranked second in the Bundesliga in scoring, Spanish legend Raul and U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Jermaine Jones.* http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2012/04/union-host-fc-schalke-04-may-9-ppl-park
Recap: Hoffman, Union topple Schalke 2-1 in friendly CHESTER, Pa. – It doesn’t count toward the standings, but the Philadelphia Union did two things they haven’t been able to do much of this season: employ a dangerous offensive attack and earn a win. And they did so against a well-known team that recently wrapped up a third-place finish in the German Bundesliga. On Wednesday night at PPL Park, rookie striker Chandler Hoffman scored the game-winner in the 88th minute to send Philly to a 2-1 victory over FC Schalke 04, who were playing their first game in the United States since 1963 http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/05/09/recap-hoffman-union-topple-schalke-2-1-friendly
Adu show abruptly cut short by sending-off in Union loss CHESTER, Pa. – For 42 minutes on Sunday, it was the Freddy Adu Show at PPL Park. And then, just like that, the show got cancelled. After playing what he called “his best game with the Union by far,” Adu (above left) hit the showers early after getting shown his second yellow card for a simulation in the penalty box. Down a man for the entire second half, the Union ended up dropping a gut-wrenching 3-2 decision to the rival Red Bulls. “I was very disappointed because I thought things were going well up to that point,” Adu told MLSsoccer.com. “We had them on their heels. It was the best we played all season and I really thought we'd pull out a win.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/05/13/adus-show-abruptly-cut-short-union-loss
Trading Places Philadelphia deal first-ever pick Mwanga for Timbers' Perlaza The Philadelphia Union traded away another of their expansion originals on Wednesday, swapping the franchise’s first-ever MLS draft pick in Danny Mwanga to the Portland Timbers for speedy striker Jorge Perlaza. Mwanga, 21, played prep soccer in Portland and starred at Oregon State before the Union used the top pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft to grab what most considered was the best young attacking player available. He scored seven goals and added four assists during his rookie season and another five goals and four assists during the team’s run to the postseason last year, but has struggled for playing time in 2012 and has yet to score a goal this season. “It is a wonderful opportunity for me to come back to my hometown and play in front of family and friends,” Mwanga said in a statement. “I’m excited, and I can’t wait to get out to Portland and get to work. I’m proud to be a member of the Portland Timbers.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/06/06/union-deal-first-ever-pick-mwanga-timbers-perlaza
Nowak's tenure in Philly memorable, occasionally controversial Union, Nowak part ways, Union chief explains dismissal Say what you will about Peter Nowak, but he certainly had an eventful tenure as Philadelphia Union manager. Here are some of the highs and lows of the past three years: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/06/13/nothing-forgettable-about-nowaks-time-philadelphia
New Union boss John Hackworth firm: "I'm not Peter Nowak" CHESTER, Pa. – John Hackworth has been a loyal deputy, a trusted advisor and a good friend to Peter Nowak for the past three years. But in the wake of the news that Hackworth was replacing Nowak as Philadelphia Union manager, the new man in charge wanted to make one thing clear. “I can tell you that I’m not Peter Nowak,” Hackworth said. “I’m John Hackworth.” What does that mean exactly? Will he implement new tactics and shuffle the lineup for his first game as manager Saturday vs. D.C. United at PPL Park (7 pm ET, Galavision)? http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/06/14/new-union-boss-hackworth-im-not-peter-nowak
Union sign central defender Bakary Soumare Former MLS Defender of the Year finalist returns to league Chester, Pa. (June 26, 2012) – Philadelphia Union have signed former Major League Soccer Defender of the Year finalist Bakary Soumare, the club announced today. Originally drafted by the Chicago Fire with the second overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, Soumare comes to the Union from French side US Boulogne. The center back will be eligible to play for the Union in Saturday’s game against the Houston Dynamo. Per MLS and Club policy, terms of the agreement will not be disclosed. Name: Bakary Soumare Pronunciation: Bak-a-ray Sue-mar-ay Number: 4 Position: Defender Height: 6-4 Weight: 205 Born: November 9, 1985 Birthplace: Bamako, Mali Citizenship: USA/Mali Last Club: US Boulogne http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2012/06/union-sign-central-defender-bakary-soumare
Comeback Kids McInerney scores in stoppage as Union rally to beat Revolution http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-07-29-phi-v-ne/highlights
Philadelphia deal struggling Pajoy to DC United for Cruz Interstate 95 foes D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union made a swap Thursday just three days before their Eastern Conference showdown at RFK Stadium, with D.C. sending young midfielder Danny Cruz north for Colombian forward Lionard Pajoy. The two teams will meet on Sunday in Washington (5 pm ET, NBC Sports Netowrk), with D.C. currently sitting in the fifth and final spot in the playoff standings and the Union looking to climb back into the postseason picture. The trade ends an unexpectedly short stay in Philadelphia for Pajoy (above), who joined the club in February after a career year with Colombian side Itagüí Ditaires. His success in the Colombian first division, however, never quite translated to MLS, and he finishes his career with the Union with five goals and two assists in 20 appearances. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/08/16/philadelphia-deal-struggling-pajoy-dc-united-cruz
Recap: De Rosario misses late PK, DC draw Union in wild finish WASHINGTON – D.C. United captain Dwayne De Rosario missed his second attempt at a penalty kick in the 89th minute after scoring on the first as the Philadelphia Union held on to draw D.C. on Sunday, 1-1, in a match that spiraled out of control late at RFK Stadium. An encroachment call on De Rosario’s successful penalty kick attempt in the 87th minute was followed by a scrum, during which United midfielder Branko Boskovic was handed a red card. De Rosario rocketed the ensuing kick over the goal to preserve the final score, but the dramatics weren’t done. D.C. defender Emiliano Dudar was handed a straight red three minutes later, Union defender Sheanon Williams was sent off with a second yellow in the dying seconds of the match and D.C. teammates Chris Korb and Brandon McDonald exchanged heated words with each other after the final whistle. http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-19-dc-v-phi/recap
Mark It Zero RSL, Philly can't break through in pitched defensive battle http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-24-phi-v-rsl/highlights
The Big Come Up Philly end 8-game winless skid, stop Houston 3-1 at PPL Park CHESTER, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union’s offense woke up just in time to deal a big blow to the Houston Dynamo’s playoff aspirations. Paced by a Freddy Adu brace and the first career goal from Josué Martinez, the Union broke out of a long offensive drought to top Houston, 3-1, on Sunday at PPL Park. With the result, the Dynamo drop to 12-8-10 and remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, just one point clear of Columbus Crew for the final playoff spot. The Union, who were knocked out of the playoffs by Houston last year, improve to 8-14-6 and avoid being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, which would have happened with a loss or a draw. http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-09-23-phi-v-hou/recap
Recap: Union attack ambushes listless Fire in 3-1 win BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Philadelphia Union put a serious crimp in the Chicago Fire’s plans for home-field advantage in the postseason, outclassing the home side on Wednesday night in a 3-1 victory at Toyota Park. And it happened almost from the start, with a fired up Union putting Chicago on their heels from the whistle. They found net in the seventh minute when Union forward Danny Cruz found Jack McInerney with a through pass that split the Fire defense. McInerny beat goalkeeper Sean Johnson to score his team-leading sixth goal of the season. http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-10-03-chi-v-phi/recap
City Islanders, Union Announce Tryouts Joint-event to be held December 18-19 in Palmyra, Pa. HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City Islanders have teamed up with Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer (MLS) once again to jointly host an open tryout December 18 and 19, 2012. The event will be held at In the Net Sports Complex in Palmyra, Pa., the home training ground of the City Islanders. The two organizations, who are exclusive partners since March 2010, will look to start the player identification process early for the 2013 season. “Our relationship with Harrisburg continues to pay dividends,” said Philadelphia Union Coach John Hackworth. “These tryouts are a terrific opportunity for us to find players who can compete within our player development structure, and ultimately with the Union first team. We look forward to seeing who turns out for this exciting two day event." http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/678439.html
Red Bulls trade Le Toux back to Philadephia for Martinez Sébastien Le Toux is heading back home. The New York Red Bulls on Thursday announced they have traded the former Philadelphia icon and all-time leading scorer back to the Union in exchange for Costa Rican forward Josué Martínez and allocation money. Le Toux was out of contract with the Red Bulls but, according to a report on Soccer By Ives earlier in the day, re-signed with the Red Bulls only to be traded hours later to the team where he made his name in MLS. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/12/06/red-bulls-trade-le-toux-back-philadephia-martinez
Union nab Jeff Parke Philly native traded to Union from Seattle for cash and draft pick Philadelphia Union announced today the acquisition of defender Jeff Parke from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for allocation money and a first round pick in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed. “We are excited to have Jeff join our team.”, said team manager John Hackworth. “He is one of the top center backs in the League. His character and experiences as both a person and a player will definitely be welcomed in our locker room.” http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2012/12/union-land-defender-jeff-parke
Casey coming to Philly Colorado's all-time scorer comes to Philly for "fresh start" It wasn’t that long ago when Conor Casey was the “it” guy in Major League Soccer. There was a time in where Casey’s name (and goals being scored at a high rate) were synonymous. On Friday, the Union selected the former Colorado Rapids forwards with the No. 5 pick in stage two of MLS' re-entry draft in the hopes that finally Philly has the big man on attack it's always yearned for. Casey had three consecutive seasons (2008-10) where his goal count ended in double digits, with arguably his best season arriving in 2009, when he finished the season with 16 goals in just 24 regular season appearances. The following year, Casey netted 15 more in both MLS regular season play and the playoffs, leading Colorado to its first ever MLS Cup title, in which he was named the MVP. It was the Rapids first appearance in an MLS Cup since 1997, and Casey was instrumental in leading the charge http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/ne...-arrival-brings-size-skill-what-can-we-expect
Newest recruits Trade No. 29 pick to RSL, nab Okai and two Supplemental picks INDIANAPOLIS – The Philadelphia Union selected forward Don Anding and Stephen Okai with the No. 26 and No. 31 pick in the MLS SuperDraft inside the ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center. The Union was originally scheduled to select with the No. 26 and No. 29 picks, but traded away its 29th spot to Real Salt Lake, for the No. 31 selection, in addition to two first round selections (No. 12 and No. 17) in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft next week. Anding, 21, a senior forward from Northeastern University, was a 2012 College Player of the Year semifinalist and an NSCAA third team All-American. A native of Amity Harbor, N.Y., Anding was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year in his junior season (2011) and was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 2009. Anding is considered by scouts to have great speed but Union manager John Hackworth feels his strength is his versatility. Don Anding bio and video http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/don-anding Stephen Okai bio http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/stephen-okai
