Mwanga training with EPL's Aston Villa

Chester, Pa.- Philadelphia Union forward Danny Mwanga has embarked for a 10-day training stint with  English Premier League side Aston Villa, the club announced today. He will join his teammates in Orlando on February 6, in time for the start of the Union’s second leg of preseason.

The Union selected Mwanga as a Generation adidas signee with the first overall selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, the first draft pick in club history. After starting the first-ever match in Union history in Seattle on March 25, Mwanga finished his rookie season with seven goals and four assists and was a Rookie of the Year finalist. Mwanga battled minor injuries during his sophomore campaign but finished the season with five goals and four assists 28 matches.

Aston Villa sit in 11th place in the Premier League standings and feature USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan and striker Robbie Keane, currently on a six-week loan from the LA Galaxy.

Mwanga is the seventh member of the Union to train abroad this offseason. Midfielder Freddy Adu joined La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, goalkeeper Zac MacMath trained alongside Tim Howard at Everton, Amobi Okugo trained with Bundesliga side SC Freiburgand, 16-year-old Zach Pfeffer trained with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, Michael Farfan spent two weeks with Sunderland and Sebastien Le Toux recently returned from Bolton.

Eagles make changes in personnel department

The Eagles have named Anthony Patch as Director of College Scouting and Rick Mueller as Player Personnel Executive.

“We are very pleased to promote Anthony and add Rick to our scouting staff,” said Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman. “Anthony has been one of our top talent evaluators during his tenure as a college scout, has great relationships throughout football and is an extremely hard worker. Rick brings a wealth of NFL experience while giving us a new and fresh set of eyes to evaluate incoming talent. They will both play a role in helping us prepare for this offseason of free agency and the draft.”

Patch, 33, spent the last 10 seasons in Philadelphia as a member of the Eagles scouting staff. He first joined the team in 2002 as a college scouting coordinator, was quickly promoted to college scout before being named assistant director of college scouting in 2010. In that role, he assisted Roseman and former director of player personnel and current Indianapolis GM Ryan Grigson in all facets of preparing for the college draft, while still scouting top players across the country.

Mueller is a veteran of 15 NFL seasons with New Orleans (2000-08) and Jacksonville (1994-2000). With the Saints, he served as the club’s vice president of player personnel from 2006-08 and director of player personnel from 2000-2006. He worked as the Jaguars director of college scouting (1998-2000) after a five-year stint as a college scout (1994-98). Altogether, his NFL squads have earned six playoff appearances and advanced to three conference title games.

The 44-year old Mueller most recently spent two seasons as an executive in the UFL, serving as general manager of Omaha in 2010 and as vice president and general manager for all four teams in their inaugural season of 2009. Mueller, whose brother Randy served as an NFL general manager with New Orleans and Miami and now works as a senior executive with San Diego, also has spent time in the CFL in 1993 and with the World League in 1992.

Sixers bring back Elson

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have signed free agent center Francisco Elson.


Elson (7-0, 240) has appeared in 467 NBA games with 149 starts while averaging 3.7 points (47.8% FGs, 70.0% FTs) and 3.5 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game.  In 2006-07, he saw action in 70 games with 41 starts for the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs.


“We are happy to pick up Francisco Elson, a veteran big man who can help bolster our front court,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said.

This is Elson’s second stint with the Sixers.  He was acquired via trade from Milwaukee along with Jodie Meeks in exchange for Primoz Brezec, Royal Ivey and a second round pick on Feb. 18, 2010.  The native of the Netherlands only appeared in one game for the Sixers following the trade but played in 62 games for Utah last season.

Union Forms Strategic Partnership With Deportivo Saprissa

Chester, Pa. - The Philadelphia Union and Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa today announced the formation of a strategic partnership that will focus on player development and training methodology, as well as best practices in commercial, stadium and financial operations.

"Saprissa is one of the most successful clubs in our part of the world,” said Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “They have won at every level of club competition, developed some big stars, some of which had storied careers abroad and have fueled the national team with many players such as Josué Martinez, who is now a Philadelphia Union player. They have world-class ownership that truly understands the current international football scene and are aligned with our technical and business philosophies. We are delighted and looking forward to our new partnership.”

The agreement aims to grow both the Union and Saprissa brands in their respective markets and around the world through activities such as a youth technical staff and player exchange program, a yearly soccer clinic in both Philadelphia and San Jose, Costa Rica, and an exhibition match played between the club’s first teams. Philadelphia Union and Deportivo Saprissa merchandise will also be available for purchase in each club’s official team store.

"Philadelphia has, in a very short time, proven to be one of the top MLS institutions,” said Saprissa President Juan Carlos Rojas. “We share similar values in terms of how a sports club should be run and this agreement will allow us to collaborate on many fronts. We are excited about the opportunities that this can provide Saprissa in one of the fastest growing soccer markets in the world."

Saprissa is one of the most successful clubs in CONCACAF and Central America, having won three CONCACAF Champions' Cup titles (1993, 1995 and 2005) and five Central American crowns in 1972, 1973, 1978, 1998 and 2003. The squad has also claimed 29 Primera División de Costa Rica championships, the most of any team in history.

Sixers bring classic theme song back

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia 76ers CEO and Co-Owner Adam Aron today announced that the team will bring back the famous Sixers anthem “Here Come the Sixers” and play it at home games this season, starting with their games this weekend at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday, January 27 against the Charlotte Bobcats at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 28 against the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 p.m.

“Ever since our new ownership arrived just three months ago, fans have asked us to bring back this classic song. And we have pledged that we will listen to our fans,” said Aron. “We are thrilled to further enhance our game night experience with a touch of nostalgia, and hope Philadelphia will clap their hands and stomp their feet with us as we cheer on our Sixers.”

Union set to open preseason camp

Chester, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union will begin preseason training this week ahead of the 2012 Major League Soccer season, as players arrived in Philadelphia on Wednesday night to undergo entrance medical exams before the first official day of training on Monday, January 30 at YSC Sports Complex in Wayne, Pa.

The team will train at YSC through Friday, February 3rd before heading to Orlando, Florida, February 5-19.

The Union made a number of roster changes in the offseason, picking up Panamanian midfielder Gabriel Gomez, Costa Rican forward Josue Martinez and defender Porfiro Lopez.  In addition, the club acquired Nizar Khalfan from the Vancouver Whitecaps, and signed Homegrown player and Malvern, Pa. native Jimmy McLaughlin.  UCLA forward Chandler Hoffman, Creighton midfielder Greg Jordan and former Reading United product and West Virginia graduate Raymon Gaddis were all drafted in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, while UPenn’s Thomas Brandt, Princeton’s Antoine Hoppenot, Marist’s Krystian Witkowski and Santa Clara’s Brandon Zimmerman were all picked up a week later in the League’s Supplemental Draft.

XFINITY Live! to open earlier than expected

PHILADELPHIA – XFINITY Live! Philadelphia, Philly’s new dining and entertainment district under construction on the former site of the legendary Spectrum, will now open in time for the two upcoming Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concerts, coming to the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday, March 28 and Thursday, March 29. Ticket holders will have exclusive access to XFINITY Live! Philadelphia on these nights beginning at 4 p.m.

XFINITY Live! Philadelphia will then have its grand opening celebration, featuring a live concert with a national headlining act (to be named), on Friday, March 30. It was previously announced the district would open on April 5, however the project will now be completed earlier than anticipated.

“It is exciting to see the finishing touches put on XFINITY Live! Philadelphia,” said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko. “We’re looking forward to a special three-day celebration which coincides with two incredible nights of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Wells Fargo Center. It’s going to be fantastic and we’re looking forward to opening our doors to the public on Friday, March 30.”

“To have our inaugural events occur when Bruce Springsteen, a performer that has such a rich history with this site, performs at the Wells Fargo Center is a great honor and incredibly meaningful for us," said Reed Cordish, a Vice President of The Cordish Companies. "We are extremely excited for the festivities that will mark the districts Grand Opening on March 30th.”

Tickets to see Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, which includes exclusive access to a preview night at XFINITY Live! Philadelphia on Wednesday, March 28 and Thursday, March 29, will go on sale on Saturday, January 28 at 9 a.m. exclusively though ComcastTIX on line at ComcastTIX.com, by phone at 1-800-298-4200 or in person at the Wells Fargo Center box office.

XFINITY Live! Philadelphia’s dining and entertainment district includes six unique venues and over a dozen entertainment choices.

Philly MarketPlace

The heart of XFINITY Live! Philadelphia that serves as a central gathering place for groups and grant guests access to each of the venues. The Philly MarketPlace at XFINITY Live! Philadelphia will showcase many local institutions including The Original Philadelphia Cheesesteak Co., Chickie’s & Pete’s, and Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef, with more to be announced shortly. The largest open area inside XFINITY Live! Philadelphia, the Philly MarketPlace will feature a VIP lounge, custom draft tables, a raw bar, and world-class sports viewing.

Spectrum Grill

Created in the essence of the Spectrum itself, this sleek venue will provide a sophisticated, intimate atmosphere and an extraordinary dining experience. The Spectrum Grill, the crown jewel of XFINITY Live! Philadelphia, will feature prime steaks, chops, and seafood, and will host one of Philadelphia’s finest cocktail parties nightly.

Broad Street Bullies Pub

A timeless neighborhood pub featuring authentic memorabilia from the legendary Broad Street Bullies team of the 1970’s. Classic tavern meets gastro pub, Broad Street Bullies Pub specializes in gourmet burgers and classic pub fare as well as an expansive variety of beer including 48 drafts on tap. Bullies Pub will serve lunch and dinner and often feature live acoustic entertainment at night.

NBC Sports Arena

The NBC Sports Arena will offer fans a one-of-a-kind sports viewingexperience, featuring a 32-foot diagonal, 6mm, Sony LED HD television, highimpact LED Rings displaying the CSN Sports Ticker, and in-game promotions that will rival any live sports experience in the world, making for a true fourth stadium experience at the Philadelphia Sports Complex.


PBR Bar & Grill (Professional Bull Riders Association)

Country cool meets urban chic in the most stunning western themed venue to be unleashed to Philadelphia. Born from the toughest sport on dirt, Professional Bull Riders restaurant will duplicate this powerhouse concept that has proven wildly successful in other markets, including Las Vegas, Houston, Baltimore, and Kansas City. With authentic Tex-Mex cuisine served during the day and a country & southern rock party at night also featuring a mechanical bull.

Victory Beer Hall

In partnership with Philadelphia’s Victory Brewing Company, the Victory Beer Hall will be an unrivaled social experience, featuring elongated, beerhall style tables, a stage for live indoor entertainment, and a 2,000 square-foot patio complete with a fire pit. The Victory Beer Hall's signature will be its celebration of craft beer, featuring an eclectic selection of regional Philadelphia brews as well as national brands.

Phillies trade Valdez for P Horst

The Phillies have traded utility infielder Wilson Valdez to the Cincinnati Reds for left-handed pitcher Jeremy Horst.

Horst, 26, made 12 relief appearances for the Reds last year and went 0-0 with a 2.93 ERA.  He spent most of the season with triple-A Louisville, where he posted a 1-4 record and had a 2.81 ERA in 36 games, while holding opposing hitters to a .219 batting average.  On six occasions for Louisville, Horst pitched at least 3.0 innings and had a 0.83 ERA (2 ER, 21.2 IP) in those games.

Originally selected by the Reds in the 21st round of the 2007 draft, Horst will be a non-roster invitee to major league spring training for the Phillies.

Valdez spent the last two years with the Phillies, hitting .249 this past season with one home run and 30 RBI in 99 games.  The 33-year-old played second base, shortstop and third base for the Phillies and went 1-0 in one pitching appearance on May 25 against the Reds.

Flip flopped in D.C.

Flip flopped in D.C. - KansasCity.com

Union single game tix on sale

Chester, Pa. – A limited amount of group and individual tickets to all 2012 regular season matches at PPL Park have been made available and went on sale Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.  Some of the best remaining available seats are still being held for full and partial season ticket plans for fans looking to receive the best possible value and attend multiple matches. 

To purchase full or partial season tickets call 877-21-UNION (877-218-6466) or visitwww.philadelphiaunion.com.  For individual tickets, please call ComcastTix at 1-800-298-4200 or visitwww.philadelphiaunion.com.

Groups of 15 or more can receive a savings of $5 to $10 per ticket by calling 877-21-UNION (877-218-6466).

Individual tickets range from $25 for the Endline sections through $150 for Field Level seats, while group tickets range from $20 for the Endline sections through $45 for Midfield seats. For full pricing information, go to www.philadelphiaunion.com or call 877-21-UNION.

Full Season Ticket Benefits Include:

· Union Season Ticket Card per seat and access to an exclusive Loyalty Rewards Program


· Guaranteed seats for 18 Philadelphia Union matches (17 Regular Season matches and 1 bonus match)


· Save up to 33% off of single game ticket prices!


· Access to the Philadelphia Union Ticket Marketplace to re-sell tickets to games you cannot attend


· Ability to forward your game tickets through an online Account Manager


· Post-game access to the Stadium Club




Partial Season Ticket Benefits Include:

· Guaranteed seats for nine (9) Union matches 

· First right to graduate into a full season ticket plan in 2013


· Avoid per game ticket fees


· A dedicated service representative to assist you with your ticket experience

Springsteen returns to WFC

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform two shows at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia  on Wednesday, March 28 and Thursday, March 29, as part of the first US leg of the 2012 ‘Wrecking Ball’ World Tour.

Springsteen’s 17th studio album ‘Wrecking Ball’ will be released on Columbia Records on Tuesday, March 6.

Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, January 28 at 9 a.m. exclusively through ComcastTIX on line at ComcastTIX.com, the Wells Fargo Center box office or charge by phone at 800-298-4200. Tickets are $98 and $68.

Springsteen last performed in Philadelphia during the Final Farewell Shows at the legendary Spectrum on October 13-14, and October 19-20, 2009.

“We Take Care Of Our Own,” the album's first single, is “classic Springsteen” with “anguish and challenge [that] run thick and fast” (Rolling Stone); a “richly orchestrated Wall of Sound... that nods to the ‘Born to Run’ era” (Billboard).

The E Street Band’s members are: Roy Bittan - piano, synthesizer; Nils Lofgren - guitar, vocals; Patti Scialfa - guitar, vocals; Garry Tallent - bass guitar; Stevie Van Zandt - guitar, vocals; and Max Weinberg - drums; with Soozie Tyrell - violin, guitar, vocals and Charlie Giordano - keyboards.

UFC sells out Chicago

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has announced that its event on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the United Center in Chicago is officially sold out.

The UFC’s return to the Windy City is headlined by a light heavyweight No. 1 contender fight between former champion Rashad Evans and unbeaten Phil Davis, a former Penn State wrestling star.

In addition, middleweight contenders Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping collide for the right to fight champion Anderson Silva later this year, while Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Demian Maia meets red-hot 185-pound prospect Chris Weidman.

This tripleheader airs live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

“The fans in Chicago have wanted us to come back there for a long time and they proved why it’s a great sports town by selling out the United Center,” UFC President Dana White said. “Get ready Chicago! We’re bringing a night of fights that you won’t forget!”

PPL Park to host 2012 MLS All-Star Game

For the first time in a decade, Philadelphia will host an All-Star Game.

Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday that Philadelphia will be the stage for the 2012 MLS All-Star Game on July 25 at 8 pm ET, bringing the summer’s showcase event to PPL Park, where the Sons of Ben will welcome a yet unnamed opponent to take on the best MLS has to offer. In the most recent edition held in 2011, Manchester United took on the MLS All-Stars at Red Bull Arena.

The 2012 event will be broadcast on ESPN2, Galavision or TeleFutura and TSN and RDS, while ESPN International will provide live coverage of the event in more than 100 countries around the world and ESPN3 and WatchESPN carry the game online in the United States.

Joining MLS Commissioner Don Garber for the announcement at City Hall were Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz and City of Chester Mayor John Linder. The last All-Star game held in Philadelphia was the NBA’s in 2002.

“Philadelphia has become a destination for hosting major soccer events in recent years, and we are pleased to bring the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game to a region with incredibly passionate soccer supporters,” Garber said. “The Sons of Ben and the rest of the Union fans will provide an enthusiastic home-field advantage at PPL Park, and we look forward to celebrating our sport with this vibrant soccer community.”

For the ninth time in league history, the game with feature an international opponent. While the opponent has still not been determined for 2012, previous editions have featured Manchester United (2010 and 2011), Everton FC (2009), Chelsea FC (2006) and CD Guadalajara (2003). The MLS All-Stars are 5-2-1 in those matches. Manchester United won last year's game 4-0 in front of a sellout crowd of 26,760 at Red Bull Arena.

Since joining MLS for the 2010 season, the Union have enjoyed success both on and off the field, making the playoffs in their second season and selling out the majority of their games at PPL Park. The club has also hosted six international matches at Lincoln Financial Field, averaging attendance figures of more than 40,000 in those games. Last season, the Union averaged 18,259 fans at PPL Park, just shy of the stadium's official capacity of 18,500.

All of which makes them an ideal candidate to host the MLS All-Stars, according to Sakiewicz.

"Since Philadelphia Union came to the region two years ago, the soccer fans in this area have shown that they are among the most passionate and authentic in the country,” he said in a statement. “It's a tremendous honor for us to host the MLS All Star game and reward the fans with yet another memorable experience at PPL Park.”

Hartnell finally an All-Star

Despite scoring 25 goals in just over half a season, Scott Hartnell was about to be locked out of the All-Star Game, on January 29 in Ottawa.

But then, a slew of refusals and injuries popped up, and it was only a matter of time. That time is today, as everyone's favorite forward who has trouble staying upright on the ice will be headed to Canada's capital this weekend.

Adam Kimelman was the first to officially report the news, here.