Sunshine, cheap beers, hot dogs with hilariously customized pretzels, and four very gracious Union players made for a great day at the still-virginal PPL Park.  Founding members were able to get an early close-up look at our new home, which in person was even more grand than months of construction-cam photos had indicated. The facility is an oasis dotting the hellscape that is Chester, a place for whom any level of economic rehabilitation would prove…
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What to say?  Poor defense, a silly error or two, and a red card in the first half brought back memories we’d all thought were stuffed into the deepest recesses of our collective mental trauma box, locked away along with childhood bike accidents and that really friendly priest.  Last night was not a good one for Union fans, as the spike of momentum brought about by their performances against two well-regarded Texan teams ebbed into…
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I have watched a lot of soccer games in my time.  I have sat and watched games on GOL TV from the Columbian League.  I love early FA Cup ties featuring two teams from England’s third division.  I’ll confess, I have even watched a WPS game this year involving Heather Mitts and The Philadelphia Independence.  The truth is I would probably have no problem watching a youth game in which there is one big pack around…
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In 1974 Muhammad Ali faced upstart champion George Foreman in the historic Rumble in the Jungle boxing fight in Zaire. Big George was an imposing figure with heavy fists; metaphors fail to convey the kind of hurt he tucked into his gloves before stepping into the ring. But Ali was a crafty, experienced technician. He had a plan to neutralize his opponent. Lying on the ropes absorbing attacks, Ali allowed Foreman to punch himself out,…
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Along with our first away victory, we also have our first epic goal celebration.  After Le Toux slid home the equalizer, he broke out in the “Le Toux shuffle”.  Below is the link to Le Toux’s goal.  Pay attention after the goal to the Frenchmen’s nifty strut, but let’s also give the goal some props too.  They say that true goal scorers seem to pass the ball into the back of the net, not shoot it.  That…
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The Knicks have Spike Lee. The Red Sox have Ben Affleck. The Union have…Knightman! In an era of celebrities proudly cheering on their favorite teams from the stands, Knightman has emerged as the Philadelphia Union’s number one celebrity fan. Philly Union Talk was lucky enough to sit down with Knightman for an exclusive interview. Philly Union Talk: A lot of people claim to be the Union’s #1 Fan. What makes you stand out above the…
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The US Open Cup: it means nothing.  That’s exactly the reason the Red Bulls only started one player from their starting 11 on Saturday.  The Union decided to rest Le Toux, Moreno, and Fred.  However, Philly’s line up still featured a bunch of regulars.  Right from the start, though, the Union struggled to contain the NY’s second choice players.  This is a bit worrying. The first half was probably the worst half of soccer the Union have played this year.  They…
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Our Philadelphia Union continue to play impressive soccer- better, for the most part, than that of their opponents.  Despite this, they also continue to lose to them. A fantastic game spoiled by key errors once again describes an away defeat for the boys in blue; this time to our likely arch-rivals, the unfortunately named New York Red Bulls.  While the Union performed admirably in terms of possession, chances created, and defensive firmness, New York was…
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What’s done is done.  Danny Califf’s red card happened, and it’s over with.  It supplied us here at PhillyUnionTalk.com with some great material, but it’s time we move on and play the hand we were dealt.  The most hotly debated topic at the bar last night:  Who’s going to captain the team for the crucial away game against the Red Bulls? This is an interesting one because there are a couple of good choices, but there is no clear…
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The Philadelphia Union head up to Toronto today. I know this to be true: away games are extremely difficult.  Toronto may be off to a slow start, but BMO Field is actually one of the loudest venues in the League.  Add the crowd noise to the desperation that comes with being 0-2, and the Union have a tough task on Thursday night.  The Union must be disciplined and concentrate during the early stages of this…
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