Wenger scored. The stands were filled. We got 3 points. The Sak is pleased and turns his nose up at all of the plebs.
So, the million dollar question is: Are teams playing us softly, or are we actually a quality side? ...and the follow-up... Have we, as fans, severely underrated our squad? Can't argue with results, and our recent run of form has balanced out the bad start to a point. We're still well behind in PPG, but that can change quickly. If we do continue the upswing is it because we're better than we all thought we were, or because teams just can't seem to not play "down" to us?
Well-played match, win, sellout, firework show, and a one-hour post-match show with probably decent ratings. Best night in Philadelphia soccer in a long time?
Scanned the DVR recording just now and didn't see the chainsaw mockery with the turkey loaf. The banner was lame but that minichainsaw to the turkey loaf after we scored was f'ing BRILLIANT. Anybody got video?
Both? I think we correctly rate our squad as a group that can go toe to toe with almost anyone on a good night, but has very limited depth. Guys who were rated as depth at the beginning of the season like Fabi, Marquez, and BC have really stepped up into the shoes of starters who haven't met expectations (Nando, Vittoria, Wenger.) If everyone rounds into form over the next two months this could be a good squad, but we've said that before. Hard to say about teams playing us softly. Montreal didn't, and I don't think DC did either really. Seattle definitely did. Portland put out some legit guys, though: Adi, Valeri, Fernandez, an aged Jewsbury, Will Johnson, and Borchers are all decent players. If we won 1-0 by the skin of our teeth it would be hard to judge, but this was a pretty dominant performance tonight. Go Wenger.
Where did this team come from!?!?!?!?! Damn-it....this is really ruining my new found negative vibe and snarky attitude. The Union can't control what players play for their opposition. They just have to take care of business against whoever the opposition trots out there against them. Unbeaten in 4......damn, why does this club struggle so mightily to start seasons? If they'd just been average and earned a few extra pints here and there earlier this season I'd feel much better about their chances at a playoff spot. That said, tip of the cap to the team tonight. They played about as well as they ever have in that second half (and for much of the first part of the first 45 as well). That third goal.....thing of beauty. I can't believe Paulson is paying Ridgewell over a million dollars to play CB.............he's not close to Omar Gonzalez' level. That's as bad as the Union using a DP slot on M'Bohli, well at least Ridgewell sees the field.
Looks like both Union's yellows were warranted from the replays. Edu sits next match? MLS has the Portland videos up which is annoying.
Place was teeming with casuals tonight. Camp out, fireworks, USWNT, who knows. Sak will be delighted. Best half of soccer from this team in.... forever. Happy for Wenger but he's still in a struggle with Ayuk over wide mid spots. Carroll was a rock, again. Good to see Le Toux back, his energy seemed infectious. 3 pretty goals, confident posession... damn. Oh and good showing from the travelling fans, props to them.
That was a complete and total ass kicking. What a great night at PPL. Great weather, great fun with a toy chainsaw, a big win, fireworks...what more could you want? Fantastic.
Everything about tonight was total blast... great weather, the hatred for the ref from the first half drew everyone in, the goals and celebrations in the second half, the bread flying through the air, just great river end participation in general, and a kick ass fireworks show...
Where would this team be without Chaco?! Where did some of this passing come from?! Love seeing VN get a brace, hopefully it helps confidence. On Wenger's goal I remember watching the play develop, admiring that they're actually stringing passes together quickly, and then thinking to myself once the ball ended up at the feet of #11 that he would find a way to kill the buildup. Glad I was wrong and glad Portland can't defend! It was a depleted Portland side, but whatever The only negative from me about this game was the kit. Why those boring, cookie-cutter secondary kits at home? We're not LA.
I see now that it was bread. From my seat at the game I thout it was a turkey loaf they use to cut slices from at a deli. Either way....BRILLIANT. 5K reps to whoever put that together.
That right there capsulizes what many sensible Union supporters have running through their collective conscious every match day.