Happy Tuesday and we’ll even extend to you a Merry FIFA international match day.
This was written while watching Spain-France on ESPN2, and courtesy of the Watch ESPN app, we’re keeping a close eye on England-Poland and Portugal-Northern Ireland – all of which were participating in World Cup qualifying.
Yes, today was a good day at Union HQ.
However, this rundown is about all things Union first and we have a plethora of stuff to get into today.
Bakary Soumare did not participate in first team training, but did agility drills with team trainers. Soumare looked pretty strong during the session, but was overheard joking about his life – or at least how it’s been for the past few months.
“I go from Healthplex [in Springfield, Delaware County] to training and training back to Healthplex,” Soumare explained to a teammate. “It’s all I do.”
It will be Soumare’s regimen as he continues to recover from a menisectomy in his right knee.
Danny Cruz and Freddy Adu both participated in full team training for the duration of the almost two hour long practice. Sheanon Williams began practice, but hobbled off during a possession drill following a rough challenge from Cruz. Not sure if it was from the knock in practice, but Williams is listed as questionable with both an ankle and Achilles strain in his left leg.
There were a couple of new faces on the pitch today, none we’re allowed to disclose at the moment, but one we learned is “on trial from Argentina.” He played mainly in the center of the park and was really strong on the ball. Impressive player, we’ll continue to dig to see what evolves of this.
By the way, MLS releases injury reports on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
For the complete rundown, click here.
Moving on…
Wednesday’s scheduled reserve league match against Toronto FC has been cancelled, due to Toronto forfeiture. With that said, the Union season ends at 3-4-2 overall. In that time, our reserves scored 20 goals...but allowed 20 goals too.
The highlight of the season undoubtedly came last Tuesday when rookie forward Chandler Hoffman netted four goals in a 6-0 rout of D.C. United.
The Oct. 24 first team match against Sporting Kansas City will air nationally on NBC Sports Network – but will air locally on the The Comcast Network.
NBC will pick up our feed featuring play-by-play man JP Dellacamera and color analyst Bob Rigby and broadcast it nationally. In Philadelphia however, the telecast will be blacked out.
And finally…
Just a reminder that tonight’s “The 90th Minute” radio show is going BIG as Union boss John Hackworth and defender Chris Albright will join the panel featuring Carl Cherkin and Kerith Gabriel as guests. The show kicks off live at 7 p.m. from Chickies and Pete’s (11000 Roosevelt Blvd.) in the Northeast and there will be prizes galore in addition to a chance to ask the panel a question on air. Can’t make it? Listen live on 610 WIP-AM.
Contact Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com. Follow Kerith on Twitter @sprtswtr
