[MLS] Most teams in MLS play with a four-man back line, yet somehow the league mandates its Best XI be arrayed in a 3-5-2. Whatever the alignment, here are ourselections for the men who did the most in 2010. Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake). RSLhead coach Jason Kreis insists that all his players carry […]
philadelphia union
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Najar and Ricketts take awards
[MLS] D.C. United’s Andy Najar paved new ground, becoming the first home-grown player and at the age of 17 the firstteenager to be named MLS Rookie of the Year, while Los Angeles Galaxy goalie Donovan Ricketts is only the second foreigner to be named Goalkeeper of theYear. Najar, signed at age 17 after spending pre-season […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Mwanga, SA's Rookie of the Year
[MLS] Major League Soccer begins handing out its major awards Wednesday. Philadelphia Union forward Danny Mwanga isSoccer America’s pick for Rookie of the Year. Rookie of the Year Finalists: Danny Mwanga(Philadelphia) Andy Najar (D.C. United) Tim Ream (New York) Ream started from day one, got offto a great start, struggled through a few bad games […]
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Newcomer Philadelphia had rough start, good finish
[MLS] On the field and at the gate, the expansion Philadelphia Union gave its fans and league officials optimism for next season and beyond, despite missing theplayoffs. ROUGH START, GOOD FINISH. The Union scratched for points while awaiting completion of its permanent home, PPL Park, and struggled to a 2-7-1 start in league play.Yet it […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Philly's finest is scorer Sebastien Le Toux
[UNDER THE MICROSCOPE] His 13th goal of the season against Houston on Saturday — combined with 10 assists — gives Sebastien Le Toux thedistinction of participating in 23 of the Philadelphia Union’s 32 goals this season. That goal also rates as one of the finest in MLS in 2010 and adds a bit more substance […]
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Peter Nowak: 'I give them a soccer bible'
[INTERVIEW] Since he left Europe to play in MLS 12 years ago, Peter Nowak has led Chicago to a MLS Cup and Open Cup double (1998) as a player,coached D.C. United to a league title (2004), and managed the U.S. U-23 team at the Olympic Games (2008). In his first season with expansion Philadelphia he’s […]
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No. 1 draft pick Danny Mwanga handles the pressure
[INTERVIEW] The No. 1 draft pick in this year’s SuperDraft came to America from the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) after his father waskilled in a 1997 civil war. Relocated to Oregon, where he rejoined his mother and three sisters, Danny Mwanga played two seasons of college ball at Oregon State and did enough […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Columbus Crew rising
[MLS] The Galaxy’s fall from the heavens has been well-documented yet the ascension of the Crew is a bit more obscure. That may change in the aftermath ofa 2-1 Crew win at Philadelphia that pushes Columbus within three points of Los Angeles for the overall points lead. By beating the Union, 2-1, with a pair […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The best positioned 2010 rookies
[MLS] A lot of youngsters have earned regular playing time this season but the field is a bit short on truly outstanding prospects. It’s notunusual for rookie defenders to make their mark in MLS, and take home the Rookie of the Year award. Last year, Omar Gonzalez was a runaway winner, and in the past […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Recent winners lead wide-open MVP race
[MLS] So far in 2010, the MVP race is a case of the usual suspects, with a few hopefuls edging into the picture. No matter what their numbers, LandonDonovan (last year’s MVP) and Guillermo Barros Schelotto (MVP in 2008) are still the two most influential attackers in MLS. They also play for the best teams, […]