Cities in California and Texas outside of LA/SF/Dallas/Houston always get screwed in these discussions because they happen to be in a very large state with some even larger cities. State borders are arbitrary and don't matter! If Michigan and Ohio were one state (to pick an example that I'm sure Ohioans and Michiganders would love), we might be saying "well, Mohio already has two teams in Columbus and Cincinnati so Detroit is too much". I say, take Phoenix or Detroit over San Diego because they are bigger if that's what you want, but don't pass on San Diego just because CA has other teams. FWIW, I do think that San Diego would punch above its market-size weight.
Not that we didn’t already know this but I think having better players surrounding him makes it easier for him to focus just on his own game. Things get simplified when you have higher quality teammates vs feeling like you have to do “more” than necessary.
Sources: The Philadelphia Union are finalizing deals to acquire Brazilian forward Matheus Davo from Corinthians and Venezuelan midfielder Jesus Bueno from Deportivo Lara in separate moves.Davo will be on loan w/ a purchase option, Bueno permanent. https://t.co/u51edhA9go— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 26, 2021
It would seem Fontana is either on his way out or has been judged to not be more than an impact sub/spot starter
Looking into those signings, it doesn’t seem like either of them are that good or high profile. It’s competition, but it shouldn’t be too bad for the young Americans. How has Freese played since Blake was away at the Gold Cup? I’ve only seen parts of their games in that span. I thought that Freese was excellent in USL last season and ready to be an MLS starter. I think we would’ve qualified for the Olympics if he was playing over Ochoa.
I haven't seen much, but I thought he could have done better on the goal against Miami last night. Robbie Robinson just hit it with power from a tight angle and Freese got at least one hand on it.
Fontana has been out injured with a concussion since June 22nd, but Fontana usually doesn't play up top where Davo plays. Davo seems like a pure depth piece at striker. Resume is pretty scant. It is also a loan until the end of the year with the option to buy. They typically play 2 up top and not typically any of the younger players. Bueno who can play as a #6 or #8 seems to have better resume. They seem to like him more for cover at #6 for Martinez. Flach played there when Martinez is suspended, but they typically prefer him on the left side. McGlynn has played some on the left while I am pretty sure Sullivan has mostly played on the right. It could cut into some of their minutes, but also both Bedoya and Flach have been run out their every night and Philly is one of the thinner teams in the league. They need an extra body down the stretch with the fixture congestion, so they could likely add Bueno and not really cut into the minutes they want to get for their youngsters. They young players have also been playing in some U23 games as well against USL clubs.
Yes. It was hit hard from a tight angle relatively close, but thought that Freeze should have done a bit better. He got a red card in the first game for hugging the attacking player after getting a bit too cute on a ill timed back pass in the 57' minute, so he only got to play about 240 minutes of the 4 games that Blake was away. I didn't see any of the Orlando City game, but Orlando scored on their only two shots on goal, so Freeze didn't make any saves. Small sample size, but Freeze would have liked to have a better stretch of games.
I wouldn't be excited if I was a Philly fan as those sound like the sort of meh signings FCD does. Maybe their scouting is better and they will really add something but quality not quantity is the way to augment a good HG side. I thought Philly was doing that so it will be interesting to see how these players pan out.
The news this past weekend is that Monteiro will be on his way out. Gazdag takes his place I assume, but Monteiro leaving balances out a little with those guys coming in
Well signings like Wagner and Martinez and Pryzbylko and even Monteiro all came from lower division European sides and other meh sounding leagues, and they worked out great. For the most Part Ernst Tanner has earned the benefit of the doubt. Yeah, surprising news and maybe not the best for the team in terms of upcoming results but should balance the scale a bit and keep things open for the homegrowns. Speaking of which, Sullivan still really needs to start. Things are stagnating and Bedoya is still not impressing. Curtin has also earned the benefit of the doubt for now but things are really dragging for a bit too long. McGlynn has been the second HG up and is behind Sullivan in minutes, but he looks tidy and plays fast and I wouldn't mind seeing him get more time either.
the monteiro thing stinks for those of us who want to see the union have the best chance to win ccl, but good for the kids for sure
Good views of all three goals in the U2 3-1 over a Chicago Fire team. 2 by Aaronson and 1 by Nelson Pierre: 1422360096861003777 is not a valid tweet id
The Philadelphia Union player development pipeline is one of the best in #MLS , and another academy talent is heading to the first team.I'm told #DOOP have signed teenage left back Anton Sorenson to a homegrown player deal.Here's more at SBI:https://t.co/A19NBoNn6G— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) August 4, 2021
Based on people I’ve talked to I’m surprised he wasn’t signed earlier. He’s a good player and is more talented than Matt Real. Philly notably do not have any other major left back prospects at the moment For now this is my Philly homegrown shortlist: Dante Huckaby, CB, 2003 Nelson Pierre, ST, 2005 Marcos Zambrano, ST, 2005 Bajung Darboe, ST/W, 2006* CJ Olney, AM/W, 2006* Gael Medrano, ST, 2006 Alex Perez, DM, 2006 Henry Bernstein, CM, 2007* Kellen LeBlanc, AM/W, 2008* Cavan Sullivan, AM/W/ST, 2009* (Asterisks are the ones I think are virtual guarantees to be homegrowns based off the quality of their overall game)
Heck yes. Sorenson was one of the few guys who I loved the first time I saw him play for one of the YNTs. Can't wait for him to start making an impact in MLS. (And, as a side note, I can't wait for YNTs to come back).
Sorenson reminds me of Bello about a year or two ago. He needs to work on his defensive game. He is a little slow recognizing danger and turns the ball over in bad areas, but he’s very good on the ball and is fast. That he’s the 2nd or 3rd best LB in his age group (depending on where you think Paredes plays), that shows how good the ‘03 age group is and how much we are improving at LB. He could be playing for a big club in five years, if he develops well. I wouldn’t be surprised. He has that potential.
Affiliate programs really don’t mean much outside of PR purposes if the player wants to go somewhere else. He did do GA Cup with Columbus and then the next season was on Philly’s u17 roster
Has anyone heard any rumors of homegrown slot expansion? Philly has all 10 spots filled so players in the academy have to wait until players leave or are moved to other roster designations. I imagine there are several academies impacted by the max limit cap. The San Jose Earthquakes have Damian Alguera in their academy but they already have 2 homegrown keepers signed. I think he's screwed if they don't trade one of them pretty soon or change the cap rules.
Just rumors, but nothing concrete. Fontana and Real are in Year 4 of at most 5 of their HGP deal. They could easily restructure both without much of a cap implications if they even pick up the options. The have also looked to loan out De Vries. They should be able to make some room fairly easily even if they don’t up then limit from 10.
With a Champions League match against Club América coming up midweek, it's a youth-heavy lineup against the Revolution today with P. Aaronson, Sullivan, McGlynn, and Flach all starting. Freese and Harriel on the bench.
Paxten Aaronson with a nice goal to bring the Union back from 1-0. ⚡ PAXTEN AARONSON ⚡17-year-old @Paxten_30 scores his first MLS goal and it's a stunner! pic.twitter.com/dUYJGu0d9V— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 8, 2021
First MLS goal, against Turner of all people. Something opponents couldn't do against him for a whole tournament, but he didn't have to play against Americans. ⚡ PAXTEN AARONSON ⚡17-year-old @Paxten_30 scores his first MLS goal and it's a stunner! pic.twitter.com/dUYJGu0d9V— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 8, 2021
Paxten's making a difference w/ take-ons and passing too. It's not just been that shot. He's competently making moves, & seeing things others, besides Sullivan, aren't. Appears Philly have developed and are starting to integrate a couple more quality creative players like Brenden was. Haven't noticed McGlynn. Probably been a reason why NE are having an easy time in the center of the park. Flach has made some good runs in this game, pressed, and can make a basic pass. But his vision is lacking & he got beat by Buchanan and then was compelled to foul for a penalty cuz he's too aggressive relative to his talent. He's cooled off.