Philadelphia Union ✔ @PhilaUnion FINAL from Deltona: @PhilaUnion 1-1 @dcunited. #DOOP So no playing time for Kafes, Vidal and Schoenle in terms of non-roster field players unless they subbed in without the Union tweeter noticing
I could care less about getting a direct response. I was just hoping that with a little prompting from some of us sitting at home trying to follow this game - which was obviously a questionable way to spend the night - we might be able to get a little more useful info. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Union fans already spoiled. Last 3 years we'd barely even know a game was happening, let alone get updates
Here is the Union game report confirming their tweets that a bunch of trialists (Kafes, Schoenle, Vidal, Francis) did not play while others (Hristov) gets 15 - 30 minutes again. http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/ne...-1-draw-against-dc-united-preseason-scrimmage The Union got on the board first thanks to a fine finish from forward Chandler Hoffman in the 39th minute. Rookie defender Don Anding got past his man on the left side before driving a low ball across the center of goal, which Hoffman drove into the back of the net.D.C. United responded in the second half after Union defender Greg Jordan clipped an oncoming United player just inside the box, resulting in a penalty. Kyle Porter stepped up and converted by slotting the ball low and hard to Philadelphia keeper Chris Konopka’s right. BOX SCORE Philadelphia Union 1, D.C. United 1 Feb. 20, 2013; 6:00 p.m. Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex SCORING SUMMARY PHI: Hoffman (Anding) 39’ D.C.: Kyle Porter (PEN) 69’ DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY PHI: Lahoud (caution) 58’ PHI: Anding (caution) 61’ PHI: Albright (caution) 75’ UNION STARTING 11 Chris Konopka, Chris Albright, Matt Kassel* (Jimmy McLaughlin), Don Anding, Greg Jordan, Keon Daniel (Georgi Hristov*), Michael Lahoud, Leo Fernandes (Cristhian Hernandez), Chandler Hoffman, Conor Casey, Antoine Hoppenot (Aaron Wheeler). *Denotes trialist Subs seemed to come in at the 75 minute mark like the previous games.
It is hard to say whether Hristov is just a warm body to throw out there while Wheeler was unable to play or whether the team wanted to have 7 forwards thinking that it might be playing more 4-3-3 than it has shown in Florida. Hristov has played 60 minutes in 3 games - not exactly a large body of work to evaluate. While both he and Vidal seem to be on the outside looking in for a roster spot, they could be helped by the type of formation that Hack generally sees the team using. If they go 4-3-3, it would not be bad to have a veteran forward on the bench if Hristov proves that he is worthy. If they go 4-1-2-1-2, then an outside mid like Vidal could come in handy given that the outside mid pool seems to be Daniel, Cruz, McLaughlin, Fernandes with the ability to use the Farfans or Torres there at times. By cutting Richards and Okai, a few international roster spots are open - not that the team is exactly hurting for open spots (Daniel, Torres, Hernandez currently holding them - 5 spots are open for the likes of Kafes, Vidal, Hristov and/or Francis if they make the team - likely 1, maybe 2 of them do). Given that several teams are tight on international roster spots as they finalize their rosters by the March 1 roster compliance deadline, perhaps the Union can leverage one of those spots and picking up some salary budget $ to entice a team to take Adu.
In hindsight, now we know why Kafes, Schoenle and Francis did not play - busy being cut. But I do find it a bit odd that Vidal didn't play at all and he seems to be sticking around. Since we didn't see much of him this preseason, I am hoping get a look at him on Saturday.
Hes around because hes from Real Madrid! Awesome pedigree, right?!? They're so great they must have an awesome academy, right? Wait, they buy all their players and haven't developed anyone in years? Oh. Why's he here again?
As a business move, this would be very good. I am just not sure that we an the MLS have the environment to develop players.