World Soccer
World: Rooney- Say it Ain’t So
by Conor O'Grady on October 18, 2010 | 3 CommentsYes, yes, I know that the season is just coming to a close and we’re all very focused on the Blue and Gold, but we’d be irresponsible soccer bloggers here at PUT if this went unmentioned. The soccosphere is rocked this day by the news that the EPL’s best, Wayne Rooney, is leaving the EPL’s best, Manchester United. Multiple news agencies have reported that Mr….
Read MoreUnion vs. United
by Conor O'Grady on July 20, 2010 | 8 CommentsThe day is almost upon us. On Wednesday the team we love will experience a unique honor, that of playing the most popular, most successful club in the history of the game. Nope, not the NJ/NY MetroStars. It’s Manchester United. So how will our boys handle this? Neither they nor Celtic brought their A-game to the last friendly, but things got pretty scrappy regardless. Are…
Read MoreLe Toux is an MLS All-Star
by Conor O'Grady on July 20, 2010 | 2 CommentsCoach Bruce Arena has called our favorite French footballer up to join the 2010 MLS All Star Team. Fuckin’ A Le Toux. Our hardest working, goal-scoringest, and…assistingest (Not a word, I know. Just keep reading.) midfield/forward man may now help American greats like Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle take on Manchester United. This will be on July 28th, making it the second time in just…
Read MoreThe PUT World Cup Awards
by Conor O'Grady on July 15, 2010 | 1 CommentLadies and gentleman, the 2010 World Cup is over. The dust has settled, the pitches are barren, and the vuvuzelas are silent (thankfully). Now is the time to look back and reflect on the most significant aspects of the planet’s ultimate event. With that, we present to you the 2010 Philly Union Talk World Cup Awards! None of the honorees were able to attend, or…
Read MoreFootball and Technology
by Michael Rullo on July 13, 2010 | 4 CommentsAs the 2010 World Cup draws to a conclusion, it is surely a tournament that no one will forget. When the story concludes on Sunday it will be looked back on in two ways: the year of firsts, and the year of fucktastic refereeing. 2010 saw the first African host nation, a first time winner, and a first time group stage win for the USA….
Read MoreDonovan Can Have the Headlines, Bradley Just Wants the Ball
by Purnell T. Cropper on June 24, 2010 | 1 CommentMichael 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…
Read MoreItaly OUT!
by Conor O'Grady on June 24, 2010 | Add A CommentAfter being embarrased yet again by a minor player on the stage, Italy has bitten World Cup dust. Losing 3-2 to Slovakia (yes, Slovakia) after having been held to a draw by New Zealand (yes, New Zealand), the Azzuri watched any hope of diving their way to another championship slip away. The aged squad gathered their walkers and limped out of the tournament with a 0-2-1 record. …
Read MoreDonovan Saves the Nation’s Bacon
by Conor O'Grady on June 23, 2010 | 3 CommentsLandon Donovan is our country’s Danny Mwanga. Is there anything sweeter than a stoppage-time game saver? While Union fans have gotten a little used to those, it’s a lot different during a World Cup match, especially one that determines whether we live or die. In case you didn’t know…how the hell could you not know?! After a hard fought scrap against a fierce Algeria, replete with…
Read MoreAn Open Letter to France
by Conor O'Grady on June 22, 2010 | 1 CommentDear France, Sweet, sweet France. Just so you know, I had your back for years. I never ONCE called them freedom fries or freedom-kissed my wife. And of course, thank you ever so much for Le Toux. He’s a keeper, like Gerard Depardieu, only he doesn’t suck. But you knew you had this coming. You knew the moment a certain Frenchman, let’s call him…Henry…stuck his…
Read MoreUS/Slovenia Call Under Review
by Conor O'Grady on June 19, 2010 | 1 CommentKoman Coulibaly, currently the 2nd most detested official in world soccer (yes, Martin Hansson, you still have the title), may well face consequences for his recent mysterious call. In case you didn’t know, he’s the guy who decided the US’s game-winning goal against Slovenia Friday didn’t happen. Or at least it didn’t count, because…well, he’s not saying. And neither is FIFA. However, FIFA is conducting…
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