Friday, June 01, 2012
Chennault, Ennis transfer to Villanova
VILLANOVA, Pa. – A pair of accomplished backcourt players have transferred to Villanova, it was officially announced today. Tony Chennault, a Philadelphia native who played two seasons at Wake Forest University, and Dylan Ennis, a Brampton, Ontario, native, who played his freshman season at Rice University in 2011-12, are now Wildcats.
“We are very excited to welcome Tony and Dylan to Villanova,” stated head coach Jay Wright.
Chennault is an alumnus of Philadelphia’s Neumann-Goretti High School who announced in April his intention to transfer from Wake Forest to be closer to his family. The 6-2 guard was the 2009-10 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year and ranks as Neumann-Goretti’s second leading all-time scorer. He started all 31 games for the Demon Deacons in 2011-12, averaging 9.0 points and 2.8 assists per outing.
“Tony is a great Philadelphia guard who comes from a family of outstanding basketball players,” stated Wright. “We have known Tony and his family for a long time and he was well taught by Carl Arrigale at Neumann-Goretti. We are very excited about his future as a Wildcat and happy to welcome another Philly guard to Villanova.”
Chennault retains two seasons of college eligibility.
Ennis averaged 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Owls in 2011-12. He also established a new school record for assists by a freshman with 144 and was selected to Conference USA’s All-Rookie team. Ennis came to Rice from Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy and was listed as one of the top 30 senior guards by ESPN in 2011.
“Dylan is coming off a very productive freshman season at Rice University,” stated Wright. “He has the skill and work ethic to develop into an outstanding Villanova guard. He also brings sound fundamentals to our team, which is a credit to his high school coach Matt Vaughn. We are thrilled that Dylan is joining our basketball family.”
Ennis will have three seasons of eligibility at Villanova.
Chennault and Ennis began taking summer classes at Villanova this week.
“We are very excited to welcome Tony and Dylan to Villanova,” stated head coach Jay Wright.
Chennault is an alumnus of Philadelphia’s Neumann-Goretti High School who announced in April his intention to transfer from Wake Forest to be closer to his family. The 6-2 guard was the 2009-10 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year and ranks as Neumann-Goretti’s second leading all-time scorer. He started all 31 games for the Demon Deacons in 2011-12, averaging 9.0 points and 2.8 assists per outing.
“Tony is a great Philadelphia guard who comes from a family of outstanding basketball players,” stated Wright. “We have known Tony and his family for a long time and he was well taught by Carl Arrigale at Neumann-Goretti. We are very excited about his future as a Wildcat and happy to welcome another Philly guard to Villanova.”
Chennault retains two seasons of college eligibility.
Ennis averaged 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Owls in 2011-12. He also established a new school record for assists by a freshman with 144 and was selected to Conference USA’s All-Rookie team. Ennis came to Rice from Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy and was listed as one of the top 30 senior guards by ESPN in 2011.
“Dylan is coming off a very productive freshman season at Rice University,” stated Wright. “He has the skill and work ethic to develop into an outstanding Villanova guard. He also brings sound fundamentals to our team, which is a credit to his high school coach Matt Vaughn. We are thrilled that Dylan is joining our basketball family.”
Ennis will have three seasons of eligibility at Villanova.
Chennault and Ennis began taking summer classes at Villanova this week.
Sixers to play in Orlando Summer League
PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The Philadelphia 76ers will be one of eight teams participating in the Airtran Airways Orlando Pro Summer League (OPSL). The five-day event will take place from July 9-13 on the Orlando Magic’s practice court at the Amway Center.
In addition to the host Orlando Magic, the event will also feature the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS OPSL SCHEDULE (all times Eastern):
Monday, July 9: vs. Indiana at 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 10: vs. Utah at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, July 11: vs. Brooklyn at 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 12: vs. Orlando at 5:00 p.m.
Friday, July 13: vs. Detroit at 12:00 p.m.
A roster will be announced on a future date.
In addition to the host Orlando Magic, the event will also feature the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS OPSL SCHEDULE (all times Eastern):
Monday, July 9: vs. Indiana at 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 10: vs. Utah at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, July 11: vs. Brooklyn at 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 12: vs. Orlando at 5:00 p.m.
Friday, July 13: vs. Detroit at 12:00 p.m.
A roster will be announced on a future date.
Union earn first U.S. Open Cup Victory
Chester, Pa. (May 29, 2012) – In the first-ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game at PPL Park, Philadelphia Union fought off a scrappy Rochester Rhinos squad, a one-hour lightning delay and a second-half monsoon to earn a 3-0 victory.
Freddy Adu scored twice and Josué Martínez added a goal and an assist to lead the hosts into the fourth round of the tournament where D.C. United – a 2-1 winner over the Richmond Kickers – awaits next Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Martínez’s goal came in the fifth minute as the 22-year-old Costa Rican took advantage of sloppy Rochester defending to bang home a deflection in the box.
In the 29th minute, shortly after the game resumed following a nasty thunderstorm, Adu put Philly up 2-0 when he headed home a cross from Martínez.
Adu put the finishing touches on the win by drilling a penalty kick in the 73rd minute, a goal set up when Michael Farfan was taken down in the box after some crafty dribbling.
Making his second straight start in net, third-string ’keeper Chris Konopka registered a pair of saves against the USL-Pro side. His shutout was aided by a strong performance from Philly’s young, makeshift backline of Michael Farfan, Gabriel Farfan, Sheanon Williams and Amobi Okugo.
Manager Peter Nowak and defensive anchor Carlos Valdés were both suspended for the match because of red cards from last year’s U.S. Open Cup game. Coach John Hackworth ran the team in Nowak’s absence.
Tuesday’s victory marks the Union’s first US Open Cup victory. They previously lost road matches to the Red Bulls and D.C. United.
Freddy Adu scored twice and Josué Martínez added a goal and an assist to lead the hosts into the fourth round of the tournament where D.C. United – a 2-1 winner over the Richmond Kickers – awaits next Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Martínez’s goal came in the fifth minute as the 22-year-old Costa Rican took advantage of sloppy Rochester defending to bang home a deflection in the box.
In the 29th minute, shortly after the game resumed following a nasty thunderstorm, Adu put Philly up 2-0 when he headed home a cross from Martínez.
Adu put the finishing touches on the win by drilling a penalty kick in the 73rd minute, a goal set up when Michael Farfan was taken down in the box after some crafty dribbling.
Making his second straight start in net, third-string ’keeper Chris Konopka registered a pair of saves against the USL-Pro side. His shutout was aided by a strong performance from Philly’s young, makeshift backline of Michael Farfan, Gabriel Farfan, Sheanon Williams and Amobi Okugo.
Manager Peter Nowak and defensive anchor Carlos Valdés were both suspended for the match because of red cards from last year’s U.S. Open Cup game. Coach John Hackworth ran the team in Nowak’s absence.
Tuesday’s victory marks the Union’s first US Open Cup victory. They previously lost road matches to the Red Bulls and D.C. United.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Halladay goes on DL
Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 28, with right latissimus dorsi strain. To fill his spot on the 25-man roster, catcher Erik Kratz has been recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Halladay, 35, has gone 4-5 with a 3.98 ERA in 11 starts this season. He threw only two innings in his last start on Sunday at St. Louis before being removed from the game due to right shoulder soreness.
Kratz, 31, has appeared in four games for the Phillies this season, mostly as a pinch-hitter. He has hit .250 with one home run and one RBI in 2012. This is the third recall of the season for Kratz, who will be available for tonight’s game in New York.
Halladay, 35, has gone 4-5 with a 3.98 ERA in 11 starts this season. He threw only two innings in his last start on Sunday at St. Louis before being removed from the game due to right shoulder soreness.
Kratz, 31, has appeared in four games for the Phillies this season, mostly as a pinch-hitter. He has hit .250 with one home run and one RBI in 2012. This is the third recall of the season for Kratz, who will be available for tonight’s game in New York.
Comcast SportsNet announces coverage of 2012 TD Bank Cycling Championship
PHILADELPHIA – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia will have comprehensive coverage of the 2012 TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship taking place on Sunday, June 3. Comcast SportsNet’s notable race programming includes a 30-minute race preview “Geared Up” airing on Friday, June 1 at 10:30 p.m., daily coverage in “Daily News Live” and “SportsNite” beginning on Tuesday, May 29 and a one-hour race recap special on Sunday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Race Preview Special
On Friday, June 1 at 10:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet will air “Geared Up,” a 30 minute program previewing the 2012 TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship. Marshall Harris will host the program, alongside cycling expert John Eustice, which features course highlights and riders to look out for on race day. “Geared Up” will replay on Saturday, June 2 at 1:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet and Saturday, June 2 at 4:30 p.m. on The Comcast Network.
Comcast SportsNet will also air daily “Geared Up” features in “SportsNite” beginning on Tuesday, May 29.
Race Day Coverage
On Sunday, June 3rd, Comcast SportsNet will have a complete race recap during “SportsNite” at 6 p.m., followed by a one-hour “TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Champs: Race Recap” special, hosted by John Eustice and Todd Gogulski at 6:30 p.m. Eustice is a Philly-area native and a former U.S. National Cycling Champion, while Gogulski is an analyst for NBC Universal Sports and former professional cyclist who was crowned “King of the Mountain” during the 1991 race for scaling the famed Manayunk Wall. The “TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Champs: Race Recap” will relive the race from the exciting start to the hold your breath finish, with complete highlights and storylines interwoven throughout the program. Lisa Hillary will have interviews with the winners and will share the sights and sounds of race day.
The “TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Champs: Race Recap” program will replay on Comcast SportsNet on Sunday, June 3 at 12 a.m.; Tuesday, June 5 at 11 a.m.; and Saturday, June 9 at 1:30 p.m. It will also air on The Comcast Network on Monday, June 4 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 9 at 3:30 p.m. The one-hour program will also be available to Xfinity! On Demand customers beginning on Monday, June 4.
Coverage across the Country
Comcast SportsNet’s family of regional sports networks will air the race in their local markets, reaching nearly 24 million households. The following networks also carry the race special: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Northwest and CSS.
NBC Sports Network will air the 60 minute race special nationally on Monday, June 4 at 5 p.m.
Race Preview Special
On Friday, June 1 at 10:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet will air “Geared Up,” a 30 minute program previewing the 2012 TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship. Marshall Harris will host the program, alongside cycling expert John Eustice, which features course highlights and riders to look out for on race day. “Geared Up” will replay on Saturday, June 2 at 1:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet and Saturday, June 2 at 4:30 p.m. on The Comcast Network.
Comcast SportsNet will also air daily “Geared Up” features in “SportsNite” beginning on Tuesday, May 29.
Race Day Coverage
On Sunday, June 3rd, Comcast SportsNet will have a complete race recap during “SportsNite” at 6 p.m., followed by a one-hour “TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Champs: Race Recap” special, hosted by John Eustice and Todd Gogulski at 6:30 p.m. Eustice is a Philly-area native and a former U.S. National Cycling Champion, while Gogulski is an analyst for NBC Universal Sports and former professional cyclist who was crowned “King of the Mountain” during the 1991 race for scaling the famed Manayunk Wall. The “TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Champs: Race Recap” will relive the race from the exciting start to the hold your breath finish, with complete highlights and storylines interwoven throughout the program. Lisa Hillary will have interviews with the winners and will share the sights and sounds of race day.
The “TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Champs: Race Recap” program will replay on Comcast SportsNet on Sunday, June 3 at 12 a.m.; Tuesday, June 5 at 11 a.m.; and Saturday, June 9 at 1:30 p.m. It will also air on The Comcast Network on Monday, June 4 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 9 at 3:30 p.m. The one-hour program will also be available to Xfinity! On Demand customers beginning on Monday, June 4.
Coverage across the Country
Comcast SportsNet’s family of regional sports networks will air the race in their local markets, reaching nearly 24 million households. The following networks also carry the race special: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Northwest and CSS.
NBC Sports Network will air the 60 minute race special nationally on Monday, June 4 at 5 p.m.
Real Madrid and Celtic to meet at the Linc
Lincoln Financial Field announced today that the stadium will host a match between two of the world’s most decorated soccer clubs, Spain’s La Liga champion Real Madrid and Scottish Premier League title holder Celtic, as part of the 2012 World Football Challenge.
The two teams will square off on August 11 at 1:30 pm in Philadelphia. Tickets for the match go on sale to the general public at 10 am on Monday, June 4 and can be purchased by visiting www.philadelphiaeagles.com, Ticketmaster.com and WorldFootballChallenge.com.
“We are thrilled to have two international soccer powerhouses playing at Lincoln Financial Field this summer,” said Eagles COO Don Smolenski. “Last year’s match between Real Madrid and the Philadelphia Union brought a great deal of fanfare and showed the passion this city has for the sport. We expect to build on that excitement by having two of the most decorated soccer clubs in the world, both reigning champions of their respective leagues, go up against each other. It should make for an entertaining afternoon of soccer.”
“This is a magnificent event for Celtic Football Club to be involved in and one which again demonstrates the strength and influence of the Celtic brand on a global scale,” said Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell. “This match will allow us to promote Celtic and, of course, Scottish football across the USA, something we have done for a number of years with great success. We have enjoyed tremendous footballing occasions in the past there and I am sure this match in Philadelphia, between two of the greatest names in football, will be no different. We look forward to coming up against Jose Mourinho again and competing against some of the world´s greatest players at Real Madrid. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful support right across the world - as we have seen across Europe, the USA and Australia in recent seasons, the Celtic family stretches far and wide in huge numbers. It is right that we do all we can to give these supporters the opportunity to see the team play and in doing so promote all that is great about Celtic and Scottish football.”
Founded in 1902, Real Madrid has won a record nine UEFA Champions Leagues and 32 La Liga titles, 18 Spanish Copa del Rey Cups, eight Spanish Super Cups, two UEFA Cups, one UEFA Supercup and three Intercontinental Cups.
Established in 1887, Celtic FC has won the Scottish League Championship 43 times, including the most recent 2012 season. They are also the reigning Scottish Cup champions, having won a record 35 times. They were the first British soccer club ever to win the European Cup (1967), and are one-time UEFA Cup runners-up (2003).
This marks the 18th soccer match to be played at Lincoln Financial Field since its inception in 2003, including last year’s friendly between Real Madrid and the Philadelphia Union which sold more than 57,000 tickets. Celtic will also be playing in their second match at Lincoln Financial Field, after defeating Manchester United 2-1 in July 2004 in front of over 54,000 fans.
The two teams will square off on August 11 at 1:30 pm in Philadelphia. Tickets for the match go on sale to the general public at 10 am on Monday, June 4 and can be purchased by visiting www.philadelphiaeagles.com, Ticketmaster.com and WorldFootballChallenge.com.
“We are thrilled to have two international soccer powerhouses playing at Lincoln Financial Field this summer,” said Eagles COO Don Smolenski. “Last year’s match between Real Madrid and the Philadelphia Union brought a great deal of fanfare and showed the passion this city has for the sport. We expect to build on that excitement by having two of the most decorated soccer clubs in the world, both reigning champions of their respective leagues, go up against each other. It should make for an entertaining afternoon of soccer.”
“This is a magnificent event for Celtic Football Club to be involved in and one which again demonstrates the strength and influence of the Celtic brand on a global scale,” said Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell. “This match will allow us to promote Celtic and, of course, Scottish football across the USA, something we have done for a number of years with great success. We have enjoyed tremendous footballing occasions in the past there and I am sure this match in Philadelphia, between two of the greatest names in football, will be no different. We look forward to coming up against Jose Mourinho again and competing against some of the world´s greatest players at Real Madrid. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful support right across the world - as we have seen across Europe, the USA and Australia in recent seasons, the Celtic family stretches far and wide in huge numbers. It is right that we do all we can to give these supporters the opportunity to see the team play and in doing so promote all that is great about Celtic and Scottish football.”
Founded in 1902, Real Madrid has won a record nine UEFA Champions Leagues and 32 La Liga titles, 18 Spanish Copa del Rey Cups, eight Spanish Super Cups, two UEFA Cups, one UEFA Supercup and three Intercontinental Cups.
Established in 1887, Celtic FC has won the Scottish League Championship 43 times, including the most recent 2012 season. They are also the reigning Scottish Cup champions, having won a record 35 times. They were the first British soccer club ever to win the European Cup (1967), and are one-time UEFA Cup runners-up (2003).
This marks the 18th soccer match to be played at Lincoln Financial Field since its inception in 2003, including last year’s friendly between Real Madrid and the Philadelphia Union which sold more than 57,000 tickets. Celtic will also be playing in their second match at Lincoln Financial Field, after defeating Manchester United 2-1 in July 2004 in front of over 54,000 fans.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
USWNT routs China
By John McMullen
jmcmullen@phanaticmag.com
CHESTER, PA (The Phanatic Magazine) - Alex Morgan loves the pitch at PPL Park.
The California native scored her first ever goal for the U.S. Women's National Team in Chester back in 2010 and added two more tonight as well as an assist as the Americans topped China 4-1 in front of a sellout 18,573 on the Delaware Riverfront.
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| USWNT F Alex Morgan |
Preparation has begun in earnest for the games and the No. 1 ranked USWNT routed China after a shaky start.
The women, who are coming off a second place finish to Japan in the World Cup, are the favorites for London after winning the past two Gold Medals and three of the four played.
The U.S. has quite a history with China winning the 1999 World Cup over the country on penalty kicks in front of over 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl. Brandi Chastain capped things there, tearing off her shirt in a celebration that still might be the most famous moment is U.S. Soccer history.
Since then Chinese have fallen on hard times since and are now ranked just 18th in the world and did not qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
However, China surprisingly cashed in first against a rusty American side that hadn't been on the pitch since a 3-1 win over Brazil on April 3 in Chiba, Japan. Zhang Rui got behind the defense in the 23rd minute and beat Hope Solo to the far side.
Morgan evened things from the area in the 34th, finding the right corner of the net behind Zhang Yue, her 23rd marker as a member of the USWNT.
It didn't take long for the Americans to go on top when Chinese captain Zhou Gaoping headed in an own goal after a scrum in front during the 36th minute.
Morgan put things out of reach in the 50th minute, out wrestling the defender for the ball before exploding a left-footed kick past Zhang.
Morgan finally finished things in the 83rd minute with a beautiful throw in from the right side that found fellow veteran forward Abby Wambach, who put it home from a tough angle.
"It's always so awesome to play in front of a sellout crowd," Wambach said after the match. "It lets us know that there is a big tournament coming up for us."
"I'm very happy scoring goals but the happiest thing for us was we changed the game," added U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage. "We struggled a bit in the first half but we turned it around in the second half and the crowd was great. You look at the crowd like this and it makes a difference.
"In the Olympics we'll have big crowds and in the World Cup we had big crowds. You have to deal with that feeling and you should take advantage of it. Playing in front of this crowd is almost like having a 12th player and it's fantastic."
STARS AND STRIPES:
* The only other USWNT game at PPL Park was a 1-1 tie with China on Oct. 6, 2010. Not in an Olympic year that one drew just 2,500. Morgan's first goal as a member of the USWNT came in that game to even it with just seven minutes left.
*The USWNT is 11-1-1 this year with three matches to go before the London Games. The women will play Sweden in Halmstad, Sweden on June 16, Japan in Halmstad on June 18 and Canada in Sandy, Utah on June 30. Their only setback this year was a 1-0 loss to Japan in Portugal back on March 5.
*Wambach has 179 career caps for the USWNT and 135 goals. She sits only behind Mia Hamm (158) on the USA all-time scoring list.
*Lauren Cheney, the UCLA product that is the girlfriend of the Sixers' Jrue Holiday, came on as a substitution for Carli Lloyd in the 46th minute and made a big difference in the midfield, so much so that she was named the Bud Light Woman of the Match over both Morgan and Wambach.
- U.S. Women's National Team Match Report -
Match: U.S. Women's National Team vs. China
Date: May 27, 2012
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: PPL Park; Chester, Pa.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Attendance: 18,573 (sell out)
Weather: 82 degrees, warm, humid
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 2 4
CHN 1 0 1
CHN - Zhang Rui (Lou Jiahui) 22rd minute
USA - Alex Morgan 34
USA - own goal (Zhou Gaoping) 36
USA - Alex Morgan (Christie Rampone) 50
USA - Abby Wambach (Alex Morgan) 83
Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 6-Amy LePeilbet (11-Sydney Leroux, 81), 3-Christie Rampone (capt.) (4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 62), 19-Rachel Buehler, 5-Kelley O'Hara; 9-Heather O'Reilly (8-Amy Rodriguez, 46), 7-Shannon Boxx, 10-Carli Lloyd (12-Lauren Cheney 46), 15-Megan Rapinoe; 13-Alex Morgan, 20-Abby Wambach
Subs not used: 2-Heather Mitts, 14-Meghan Klingenberg, 18-Nicole Barnhart
Head coach: Pia Sundhage
CHN: 1-Zhang Yue; 3-Zhou Gaoping, 4-Li Jiayue, 5-Wang Dongni, 12-Zhao Hongli (17-Pang Fengyue, 85); 6-Ren Guixin (23-Li Wen 56), 14-Liu Shukun, 16-Wang Xin (15-Xu Yanlu, 68; 21-Wang Lisi, 87), 18-Han Peng (19-Zhou Feifei, 39), 25-Zhang Rui (10-Ma Xiaoxu, 78); 11-Lou Jiahui
Subs not used: 22-Wang Fei
Head coach: Hao Wei
Statistical Summary: USA / CHN
Shots: 18 / 5
Shots on Goal: 7 / 1
Saves: 0 / 3
Corner Kicks: 6 / 1
Fouls: 10 / 11
Offside: 2 / 3
Misconduct Summary:
CHN --Ren Guixin (caution) 18th minute
USA - Sydney Leroux (caution) 90+1
Officials
Referee: Margaret Domka (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Marlene Duffy (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Veronica Perez (USA)
Fourth Official: Kari Seitz (USA)
Bud Light Woman of the Match:
Lauren Cheney
Soul earn big win in Cleveland
CLEVELAND – The Philadelphia Soul (8-3) used a 20-0 run in the third quarter to pull away and take control of the East Division by beating the Cleveland Gladiators (6-4), 55-33, in front of 4,737 fans at the Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday.
“This was a big comeback game for us,” said Soul head coach Doug Plank. “All facets of the game – offense, defense and special teams – we improved on from the previous week. I am pleased that we stayed focused and stuck to our game plan when it could have been easy not to.”
Philadelphia’s QB Dan Raudabaugh finished by connecting on 20-of-34 passes for 157 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. Leading the receivers were Donovan Morgan with nine receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Tiger Jones had seven receptions for 58 yards and three touchdowns, while Zipp Duncan with three receptions for 8 yards and Jeff Hughley added a 7-yard touchdown.
Leading the way defensively were Bryan Robinson with a blocked kick and a sack, while teammates Justin Warren and Dustin Barno applied pressure all night. Newly-acquired DB LaRico Stevenson added 3.0 total tackles and a fumble recovery.
The Gladiators got things started when QB John Dutton found Robert Redd on a 15-yard scoring strike, but a missed extra point made the score, 6-0. The Soul answered when Raudabaugh connected with Jones from 18 yards out and gave Philadelphia a 7-6 lead to end the first quarter.
After stopping the Gladiators on down and forcing a field goal on consecutive possessions, the Soul extended the lead to 21-6 on a pair of Raudabaugh to Jones touchdowns. Cleveland answered with a Dutton to Dominic Goodman to narrow the score to 21-12. Cleveland DB Levy Brown then intercepted Raudabaugh and returned it for 20 yards for the touchdown. Cleveland came up with a big stop to end the first half and kept Ross out of the endzone as time expired with the Soul leading, 21-19.
The Soul open the second half with a five-play, 45 yard drive capped by a 3-yard touchdown run for a 28-19 lead. On the following Gladiator drive, Philadelphia’s Justin Warren forced a fumble that was recovered by LaRico Stevenson and capitalized by the offense when Raudabaugh hit Morgan on an 11-yard touchdown and increasing the lead to 34-19.
The Soul defense stepped up again in the third quarter when Bryan Robinson made a huge sack of Dutton on fourth down that gave the Soul possession. The Soul outscored the Gladiators 20-0 in the third quarter.
With the game well in hand, in the fourth quarter, Philadelphia got a touchdown run from Ross and a 12-yard touchdown from Morgan for a final score of 55-33.
The Soul will return home next Saturday when they host the Orlando Predators (1-9) at 7 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center.
More change needed in Chester?
By John McMullen
jmcmullen@phanaticmag.com
CHESTER, PA (The Phanatic Magazine) - Toronto's Danny Koevermans called his own team the worst in the world after a 3-1 loss to D.C. United last weekend.
Koevermans had not seen Peter Nowak's Philadelphia Union before making that statement.
Ironically it was Koeverman's marker in the 88th minute that lifted Toronto FC (1-9-0) to its first win of the season over a Union side that has collapsed after making its first playoff appearance a year ago.
To be fair, Nowak was down to his third goalkeeper, Chris Konopka, in Toronto. Starter Zac MacMath is still dealing with concussion related symptoms and Chase Harrison has a sprained left ankle. However, if anything Konopka was surprisingly steady in just his second MLS game, making six saves.
The real problems in Chester have been offense and continuity, things that go hand and hand. No one is going to question Nowak's technical prowess but athletes are creatures of habit and he has been jerking players in and out of the lineup since his first day on the job, especially his younger charges.
Nowak finally admitted that he wasn't happy with the Union's performance in Toronto but continues to show no sense of urgency for a 2-7-2 club, a clash between the more laid back world of soccer and a Philadelphia market that will only support a winner in any endeavor.
"I am extremely disappointed with our performance; we had a couple of good games and today was the complete opposite," said Nowak after losing to lowly Toronto. "We took three steps forward and now three steps back."
When exactly were those three steps forward?
The Union were 11-8-15 a season ago and have mustered one point in their last four games.
A better description may have been desperately treading water before sinking.
Philadelphia has already waived goodbye to three of the faces of the franchise since the end of last season, leading scorer Sebastien Le Toux, it's All-Star goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, and most recently its former captain Danny Califf.
With a three-week break before returning to league action on June 16, perhaps it's time for the Union to part ways with a fourth - Nowak.
Otherwise the empty seats that have started to pop up in Citizens Bank Park s might start spreading 20 miles West and find the quaint little Park on the Delaware Riverfront.
USWNT names Olympians
By John McMullen
Jmcmullen@phanataicmag.com
CHESTER, PA (The Phanatic Magazine) - U.S. Women's National Team head coach Pia Sundhage named the 18-player roster for the 2012 Olympic Games before the team's friendly against China at PPL Park on Saturday.
Eleven players make a return to the Olympics after helping the USA to the gold medal in 2008 in Beijing, China. Midfielders Shannon Boxx and Heather O'Reilly and defender Heather Mitts make their third Olympic Team while U.S. captain Christie Rampone will be playing in a U.S. record fourth Olympic Games.
The U.S. will open Group G play at the Olympics with two matches at the famed Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. The U.S. will first face France (5 p.m. local / 12 p.m. ET) on July 25 - two days before the Olympic Opening Ceremonies - and then take on Colombia on July 28 (5 p.m. local / 12 p.m. ET). The USA will finish group play against Korea DPR on July 31 (5:15 p.m. local / 12:15 p.m. ET) at the legendary Old Trafford in Manchester, home to Manchester United.
The U.S. Women's National Team has advanced to the gold medal game of every Olympic women's soccer tournament that has been contested. The USA won the inaugural gold medal in 1996 in Athens, Ga., won silver in 2000 in Sydney, Australia, and will be going for its third straight gold medal after standing atop the podium in Athens, Greece, in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.
U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer Team Roster by Position - Detailed Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart, Hope Solo
DEFENDERS (6): Rachel Buehler, Amy LePeilbet, Heather Mitts, Kelley O'Hara, Christie Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn
MIDFIELDERS (6): Shannon Boxx, Lauren Cheney, Tobin Heath, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly, Megan Rapinoe
FORWARDS (4): Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Amy Rodriguez, Abby Wambach
"As always, these players make it very difficult to select rosters, and for this Olympic team it was a long, productive and interesting process to cut the pool down to these 18," said Sundhage. "The team is a mix of very experienced players and several new fresh faces. All the players are versatile, which is extremely important when you have just 16 field players on a roster. This is a group that is focused on some very high goals and it will be a pleasure to coach them in the Olympics."
Sundhage also named four replacement players in midfielder Lori Lindsey and goalkeeper Jill Loyden - both members of the USA's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup team - twice-capped midfielder Meghan Klingenberg and forward Christen Press, who is uncapped but currently one of the top scorers in the Swedish First Division.
Union falls to lowly Toronto
TORONTO – Philadelphia Union's fell 1-0 to Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday. Second-half substitute Danny Koevermans muscled home a shot in the 88th minute to give Toronto their first points in League play this season. Philadelphia (2-7-2) are winless in their past five games.
Konopka had his area besieged in the first several minutes of the game as Toronto had the early advantage. He saved on Reggie Lambe’s shot from the right side of the box, before Lambe put the rebound wide. Soon after, Ryan Johnson misfired twice. Late in the first half, Toronto again buzzed around Konopka’s goal without getting a direct shot, although Adrian Cann sent a header just wide.The first half finished with Toronto having nine attempts at goal to Philadelphia’s two. Toronto had one shot on goal and Philadelphia none.
Both teams had their share of chances, including Philadelphia’s Michael Farfan hitting the crossbar with a blast from 35 yards out in the 50th minute. Toronto didn't fold, though, and Chris Konopka saved a close-range header by Doneil Henry off a corner in the 63rd minute. Konopka was alert on a couple of Toronto's late chances, but came up on the short end of Koevermans’ second effort on a shot from just outside the left side of the post. It came after some determined work down the left side by second-half substitute and fellow Dutchman Nick Soolsma.
Konopka, Philadelphia’s third-string goalkeeper, was playing due to injuries to Zac MacMath and Chase Harrison. His last MLS game was when he was with the New York Red Bulls last August 13 in a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire.
The Union play the Rochester Rhinos at PPL Park in their first home Lamar Hunt U.S. Open match this Tuesday, May 29. Philadelphia’s next League game is on June 16 at home vs D.C. United.
Big Three takes backseat to Rondo
By John McMullen
jmcmullen@phanaticmag.com
Once Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose went down with a torn ACL, most expected the Eastern Conference Finals to feature LeBron James and the Miami Heat against the perceived last stand of Boston's "Big Three," Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.
It's about to happen but neither team took an easy route. Miami got knocked to the canvas by the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals before responding like a champion, while the Celtics needed seven games to dispose of a plucky, albeit offensively challenged Philadelphia team.
In fact, when Pierce fouled out with 4:16 remaining, the 76ers had an opening to repeat their Game 7 magic from 30 years ago in Beantown, but Andrew Toney wasn't available and Rajon Rondo didn't let the Celtics falter in a deciding game.
Rondo scored 11 of his 18 points in the final quarter, including nine in a row for his team right after Pierce left the game, as Boston beat Philadelphia, 85-75.
Rondo, who also had 10 rebounds and 10 assists, recorded his ninth career playoff triple-double, matching the great Wilt Chamberlain for fourth all- time, and became the first Celtic since Larry Bird in 1984 to do it in a Game 7.
"Rondo wants to run the team," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "He's a great quarterback. But tonight, obviously with Paul fouling out, he had to take charge of the team."
In reality, Rondo is already the engine that runs Rivers' team even with Kevin Garnett and Pierce still playing at a high level.
Each time the never-say-die Sixers got within one possession in Game 7, the Celtics had an answer, and it was usually Rondo providing it.
With the TD Garden crowd in a nervous hush after Pierce's exit, Garnett came up with a gimmee steal off a poorly thrown Thaddeus Young entry pass before Rondo raced down the floor for a layup and a 73-68 C's lead.
Philadelphia's Evan Turner then missed a jumper at the other end and Rondo answered by draining a shot from the top of the arc with his right foot touching the 3-point line.
"It served as momentum for Rondo," Sixers forward Elton Brand said of Pierce's absence. "We didn't attack those guys as aggressively as we should have with such a prolific scorer on the bench. When he's out, we try to trap Rondo, trap Garnett. But we just couldn't get to them."
Finally Rondo's 3-pointer from deep on the right wing made it a 78-68 game with 2:09 left and essentially sealed the Sixers' fate.
"You know you're thinking a miss," Sixers point guard Jrue Holiday said. "But he did what he had to do and that's what good players do. Paul Pierce went out, and I know me personally, I'm thinking let's go. Rajon Rondo, the player he is, the point guard he is, he came through for his team. He put his team on his back."
Allen was 3-for-11 from the floor in Game 7, Pierce fouled out and Garnett, although he played well, was just as much of a spectator down the stretch as the Sixers were. Yet, in the final seconds thanks to the greatness of Rondo, fans at the Garden were able to turn their attention to Boston's next opponent with chants of "Beat the Heat!"
"I was thankful," Pierce said. "You know he was able to step up, be aggressive, knock down a couple big threes, got to the bucket. That was huge for us. You know he felt a sense of urgency, he smelled it, how close we were. He was able to take over the game with his scoring, and it was just phenomenal to watch."
The inevitable end of the Big Three, was put on hold by one man regarded as an afterthought by so many.
"I don't look at them as the 'Big Three,'" Sixers coach Doug Collins said. "I look at them as a championship four. If you leave Rondo out, you're making a huge mistake because that guy has become the motor that drives this team."
Miami, of course, poses a much stiffer test for Boston that the Sixers. When James and Dwyane Wade play like the did in the final three games of the Indiana series, it's checkmate. You might as well run for the basement, keep your head down, wait for the tornado to pass and assess the damage afterward.
Unless your Rondo, he thinks the end of an era can wait a little bit longer.
"We feel we can beat Miami," the point guard said. "Obviously we got to this point. There's no doubt in my mind that we can, so we gotta go down there and take care of business."
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