Union Allegedly Defeat USF With Secret Lineup (Plus Schedule and Player News)
By: Jerry | February 11th, 2011Yesterday, the Union took on the University of South Florida soccer team at a small field just outside of Orlando. The Union were victorious 2-0 on goals by Sebastien Le Toux and Danny Mwanga.
Now, who played in this game? We know for certain from the team’s facebook pictures that the following people played in this one: Le Toux, Mwanga, Mondragón, Miglioranzi, Carroll, Torres, Valdés, Orozco Fiscal, Zimmerman, Pfeffer, Williams, and Gabriel Farfan. No lineups were posted, so we’re unsure of who played in what position and what halves they played. All of this secrecy is very confusing. Most other teams release not only the players that they’re trialing, but they can at least go a little more in-depth when it comes to the game reports.
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Well, the Union schedule was released yesterday, and I, for one, am a fan of the fact that we have more night games to enjoy. Somewhat overweight men who sit behind a desk all day, such as myself, aren’t too keen on standing in the River End at 4:00 pm with the temperature at 92°, with 5,000% humidity, and the sun beating on you like it needed your skin for sustenance. Anyway, here are a few highlights of the new season…
Opening Night: March 19 at Houston
Home Opener: March 26 vs Vancouver
Renewing the Rivalry: April 9 vs New Jersey
Rematch of the PPL Park Opener: April 16 vs Seattle
Landon Donovan comes to town with some British guy: May 11 vs LA Galaxy
The RFK Invasion: July 2 at DC United
The Champions Come to Town: July 30 vs Colorado
Timbers First Visit to PPL Park: September 10 vs Portland
Last Regular Season Home Game of 2011: October 15 vs Toronto
Last Regular Season Game that just happens to be to a somewhat big matchup: October 20 at New Jersey
The Union will also be on a 4 game road trip during July, but they are back and forth swings from the East coast to the West Coast. It’s tough to determine whether a portion of your schedule is tough and not, but this seems like the toughest part of it: at DC, at San Jose, at New England, and at Seattle.
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There are also rumors today that former MLS player Carlos Ruiz might be joining the Union. He had his contract with Aris Thessaloniki mutually terminated, and he has been telling reporters that his next stop is Chester, PA.
The 31-year-old played for the LA Galaxy twice, Toronto, and Dallas from 2002-2008. During his tenure in MLS he’s scored 90 goals in 164 matches. He played with Mexican side Puebla FC in 2009-10 playing in 33 matches and scoring 9 goals. Most recently, he signed with Aris Thessaloniki, but he found playing time difficult to come by and he was released from his contract. According to this article (may need to be translated para aquellos que non hablan español), talks with Ruiz’s agent and the Union began in December after Aris’ Argentinian coach was fired and Ruiz found himself on the bench. It is believed that Ruiz is coming to Philadelphia to sign a deal to bring the forward to the Union.
Ruiz could be the forward that the Union are looking for, but the player has gotten a bad reputation with MLS fans as being a big time diver. Greg Louganis jokes aside, there are also rumors that he may be a bad teammate, which is something a tight Union locker room don’t need. The Union have a need for another striker up front, especially a poacher like Ruiz. If he can put the ball in the net – and set up goals – the way the team needs him to, I’m sure the current fanbase will be happy with what Ruiz brings to the table. Nowak has said that his roster is far from complete. Perhaps Ruiz will be the latest addition to the Union.
Only 36 days until Opening Night.
C’MON THE U!
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