Monday Morning Union Freekicks: At Least The Independence Won

The Hardest Thing in Soccer " Union City Blue
Clichés are grating enough, but even more so when your team is embodying one. It is often said that the hardest thing in soccer is to score a goal...

The Philly Soccer Page " Stat chat: Dallas v Union
Union fans rejoiced when the starting lineup for the Dallas game was announced: Le Toux and Mwanga up top with Ruiz on the bench. (For myself, the only thing that would have made the lineup more exciting would have been Daniel starting instead of Mapp.) Several prime scoring chances were the result and many wondered why the Union wasn’t winning 2–0 when Dallas scored against the run of play. It was pretty much downhill from there as the Union struggled to get back into the game, a struggle that became even harder with the second Dallas goal just before the end of the half.

MLS a Family Affair for Inseparable Farfan Duo | Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, Pa. — When her twin boys returned home from their first day of kindergarten, Kathy Ollier asked them both if anything exciting happened.

Down a player, Independence rally past Atlanta, 2-1 | Philadelphia Inquirer | 05/16/2011

After being reduced to 10 players on the field following a red card to defender Kia McNeill in the 13th minute, the Independence went into the locker room at the half on Sunday down by a goal, but came back in the second frame to topple the Atlanta Beat, 2-1, in a Women's Professional Soccer match in Kennesaw, Ga.

Union can't crack Dallas' defense in road loss | Philadelphia Daily News | 05/16/2011

The Union tried a revamped starting lineup to help jump-start its offense, but despite a better attack, lost to host FC Dallas, 2-0, on Saturday night.

 Defensive Errors Cost New York Red Bulls In Loss To Chivas USA - Once A Metro

The New York Red Bulls suffered their first home defeat of the season on Sunday night, falling 3-2 to Chivas USA after a horrendous defensive display. The Red Bulls twice came back from a goal down, first through Thierry Henry and then via a Dwayne De Rosario penalty, but Justin Braun's hat-trick proved too much for New York, who lost their first game in over a month.

Game Grades: FC Dallas vs Philadelphia Union - Big D Soccer

If there is one word I would use to describe the last couple of weeks for FC Dallas it would be "Professional." It hasn't always been pretty, but FCD has straight gotten the job done since losing Ferreira winning four of their last five games to pull within striking distance at the top of the league. Last night was probably the most complete performance of the month as Dallas put Philly on the mat with a first half goal from Brek Shea(created entirely by Fabian Castillo) then stepped on their throat with a second goal soon after from the excellent Castillo. 

FC Dallas vs Philadelphia Union game pictures - Big D Soccer

Pablo Serna of Anres Photography was back this weekend to snap some great game pictures...here's a few highlights

Toronto FC vs. Chicago Fire - MLS #9: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - Hot Time In Old Town

Toronto FC struck first and struck twice on goals from Joao Plata and Maicon Santors.  The Chicago Fire would not go gently into that good night as Marco Pappa scored a free kick goal that swung the momentum in the Fire’s direction.  Later, Orr Barouch scored his first MLS goal to complete the comeback and earn the Fire a 2-2 draw on Saturday night in Toronto at BMO Field.  The Fire extended their unbeaten run to four games and moved to 1-3-5 with eight points on the season.  Chicago might have found a permanent answer in the midfield and Carlos de los Cobos might have been given the perfect cover to bring back Sean Johnson into the fold.  All this and more after da break.