Tuesday was a relatively low key day around Philadelphia Union HQ.
Given the elements, it was quiet day as everyone kept to their cubicles in preparation for this weekend. Union video production manager Carl Mandell managed to take this awesome picture of the River End from his office (with a view) at PPL Park.
For the players, it was a mid-morning weight room session at the Healthplex with strength and conditioning coach Kevin Miller. The guys continue to gear up for a Saturday evening showdown with the New England Revolution (5 p.m., buy tickets) at PPL Park.
This is before a two-week break from MLS action given the upcoming FIFA international match dates on March 22 and March 26.
In addition to yesterday's announcement that Keon Daniel is leaving for international duty on Monday, defender Bakary Soumare was summoned to the Malian national team ahead of its FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda on March 22. Like Daniel, Soumare will also miss the March 23 friendly against Pumas UNAM (5 p.m., buy tickets) as he is expected back on Sunday, March 24.
Moving on…
On Monday, we told you that defender Amobi Okugo was in the running to become one of MLS’ Top 3 Performers as selected by MLS fans for his game against Colorado over the weekend. Well, thanks your votes, Okugo was picked tops ahead of Montreal’s Patrice Bernier and Toronto’s Robert Earnshaw.
Check out the highlight clip MLS put together here:
In other news…
Don’t forget tonight is the return of “The 90th Minute” radio show which will be live from Chickies and Pete’s in Northeast Philadelphia. The show, presented by Farmers Insurance has a new time (6:00-7:00 p.m.) and will air from four different Chickies and Pete’s establishments over the course of the season. Tonight, hosts Carl Cherkin and yours truly will be joined by Union manager John Hackworth and defender Chris Albright. For more information on how you can be an interactive part of the broadcast, click here.
Can’t make it out? Listen live on CBS SportsRadio (610-AM) in addition to cbsphilly.com and the radio.com app.
Also, we received a nice shout out in the Philadelphia Sports Business Journal for our latest partnership with Farmers Insurance as an official corporate sponsor. And tomorrow night is the inaugural “Cocktails and Cleats” celebration held by the Philadelphia Union Foundation at the Hyatt at the Bellevue. The event is sold out, but promises to be a great night – here’s hoping the first of many for the Foundation.
Catch you all tomorrow…
Contact Union writer Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com.
