It’s finally Friday, but what a week it’s been around here at Union HQ.
It hasn’t been a slow news day around here over the past few days. The show goes on however and the week is far from over just yet.
Tomorrow, the Union plays its first international friendly of the season, when Mexican League club Pumas UNAM graces PPL Park at 5 p.m. (purchase tickets).
Coming to the Park tomorrow? Send us a message via Twitter for a chance to be posted in stadium. Just send along your comment with the hashtag #stadiumtweets. We rolled out this out for the first time on in last Saturday’s win over New England to rousing success.
You liked it; so do we. Help us keep it going.
Couple of Union players on international duty this weekend. Defender Bakary Soumare is currently away with Mali ahead of a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda, one that was moved to Sunday. Additionally, midfielder Keon Daniel is also in action tonight with his native Trinidad and Tobago.
Although currently out on loan, Union homegrown original Zach Pfeffer was in action today with the U.S. under-18 national team which tied Romania, 1-1. Pfeffer, 18, has been getting the most out of his season long stint with TSG Hoffenheim, playing in the club’s U-19 youth academy.
Also on loan is defender Carlos Valdes who featured for Colombia in a World Cup qualifier Friday evening. Valdes also has a yearlong loan deal with Colombia’s Independiente Santa Fe. Also tonight’s must watch besides March Madness is the FIFA World Cup qualifier between the United States’ full men’s team against Costa Rica (10 p.m., ESPN). It’s a match that will be played in the aftermath of an expose surrounding U.S. boss Jurgen Klinsmann earlier this week.
Check out the the last time these two squared off in a qualifier. On Wednesday, Union manager John Hackworth said something that we here at philadelphiaunion.com totally agree with:
“I think I am biased, because I think that [defender Jeff Parke] has been so good for us. And when you read some of the things about the national team and some of the questions they have at center back, I, with a very biased opinion, think that Jeff should be included in some of those conversations.”
In other news this week, philadelphiaunion.com caught up with Gabriel Farfan and homegrown midfielder Cristhian Hernandez about their deep Mexican roots for this feature piece on our website.
Also on our website, check out Union writer Kevin Kinkead’s breakdown of what to expect from Pumas UNAM. And looking forward, don’t forget that forward Sebastien Le Toux will be Tuesday night’s guest on “The 90th Minute” radio show, which is sponsored by Farmers Insurance. Come be a part of the show from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Chickies and Pete’s in Northeast Philadelphia or listen live at CBS SportsRadio WIP (610-AM).
Enjoy your weekend. Catch you all on Monday…
Contact Union writer Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com
