A strong first half and a frustrating second defined what should’ve been another win, as the Blue and Gold snatched a single point from RSL. Purnell breaks it down.

Watching First Kick, you may have noticed the BIMBO ad featuring our sponsor’s adorably frightening mascot, Osito. But who is he? Purnell Cropper takes a peek underneath the giant white bear head and uncovers the truth about the most lovable anthropomorphized omnivore in MLS.

While I respect Beyonce—she did produce the best music video of 2009—I always get a sense of foreboding when the Philadelphia Union take the field in their Sasha Fierce outfits. The matte gold jerseys and socks just don’t fit the team or city’s personality: too fussy and ostentatious. And when the team’s play doesn’t sparkle luxurious-like—and it certainly didn’t during Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids—the guys just appear delicate and foolish. Not a…
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Philadelphia Union players took the field against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday bolstered by a gutsy come-from-behind win over the New England Revolution and a mid-week smack-down of Mexican powerhouse Chivas Guadalajara. In spite of injuries to Fred and Eduardo Cuadet, the experienced midfielders (read: geezers) who usually orchestrate the Union attack, the guys looked confident, dangerous. Perhaps Justin Mapp and Jack McInerney’s recent form has given the rest of the blue and gold…
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After flipping open my laptop and blinking through the mind-numbing loading screens (the computer’s way of yawning obnoxiously in my face), I noticed that nothing happened when I pushed my mouse around. Grumpy and confused, I stared at the underside of the sleek Logitech design, shaking it occasionally. A minute or so passed before I realized the problem. The thing wasn’t plugged in. I chuckled and moved on, eventually beginning this paragraph, which has finally…
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More people passed through the low-key house party I attended on Saturday night—in the backwoods of Wayne, Pa.—than entered the gates of Pizza Hut Park on Sunday, where FC Dallas hosted the Philadelphia Union. Judging by the high-pitch death shrieks that rose from the “crowd” when the blue and gold scored an early goal, the home team was running some kind of Boy Choirs Get in Free promotion. The Union couldn’t have hoped to play…
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At this stage in the season, points are precious. With a win over the New England Revolution at PPL Park yesterday, the Philadelphia Union would have moved within striking distance of the fourth-place Kansas City Wizards in the Eastern Conference standings. Union players and officials, undoubtedly disappointed, are trying to downplay the tie. But a quick glance at the league schedule should give Union fans pause. During the next two weeks the blue and gold…
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The Philadelphia Union reasserted its home field dominance on Saturday, topping Toronto FC, 2-1, at PPL Park, behind a goal and assist by Sebastien Le Toux. The Blue and Gold bounced back after a heart-wrenching home loss to the San Jose Earthquakes last week and ended third-place TFC’s eight game unbeaten streak. Philly Union Talk was at the game in full force, downing beer on the knoll before the match, which might have been a…
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The Philadelphia Union snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on Saturday night at PPL Park. The guys played hard, taking an early lead and dominating large stretches of the game, but ultimately lost a heart-breaker to the San Jose Earthquakes behind a pair of stoppage time goals. The visitors benefited from a combination of poor finishing by Union players and some goalmouth magic by Jon Busch, who showed why he won Goalkeeper of the…
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Michael Bradley, whose play and decision making was erratic during qualifying, was my pick for man of the match on Wednesday, when the U.S. netted a 1-0 win against Algeria. He did everything one could possibly ask of a box-to-box middy. He confidently guided his team down field, controlling the pace of the game and almost always providing an easy outlet for teammates. (When you watch a replay of the match—and I know you will—keep…
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