Friendly Preview: Philadelphia Union Vs. Real Madrid
by Ben Feldman on Jul 22, 2011 6:03 PM EDT
in Game Day
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Setting: Saturday, July 23 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia; kickoff scheduled for just after 9:00 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: ESPN Deportes and ESPN3.com nationally, with coverage beginning at 9:00 PM Eastern
For the Real Madrid Perspective, Visit Managing Madrid
Just three days after the Philadelphia Union took a rather exhilarating 1-0 victory against Everton thanks to a late goal from academy player Christian Hernandez, the Union welcome Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid to Lincoln Financial Field. Suffice to say, things won't get any easier for Philadelphia. José Mourinho's side can be described with just about every positive adjective you can think of for a team -- they are, simply put, all around dominant.
Fortunately for the 50,000+ expected to fill the Linc, Los Blancos won't be holding back. They are contractually obligated to play many of their first team players, and they have stayed true to those obligations in their two matches in the United States so far. Some of the absolute best players in the world -- and a couple of the best in the recorded history of the game -- will be on the pitch tomorrow. Taking on our local side. How special is that?
Piotr Nowak, John Hackworth and Rob Vartughian are expected to put out more of a standard starting eleven than they did against Everton; in other words, expect to see Danny Califf, Sebastien Le Toux, Faryd Mondragon and Carlos Ruiz see some minutes tomorrow. Obviously, there's no desire to see anyone overworked or injured, on either side. As cool as being able to play Everton and Real Madrid is, the Union are still in the middle of their season. And they're in contention for their first-ever playoff berth. It doesn't do anybody any good to have someone hurt and missing critical MLS matches going forward. Same sort of thing goes for Real Madrid -- like Everton, they're in preseason form and it does them no good to have players hurt a month before their La Liga fixtures even start.
Truth be told, there's not a lot to preview in this one tactically. There's almost no point. We know what to expect from the Union at this point, and Real Madrid is ... well ... Real Madrid. Ronaldo, Kaka, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Xabi Alonso ... these are truly world class names. It's going to be a thrill to see these names go against both players we watch nearly every week, and players who may one day be on our TVs nearly every week, whether they be academy members or as-yet unknown trialists.
If you're heading down to the Linc tomorrow, or will be watching on ESPN Deportes or through ESPN3.com, just enjoy it, regardless of the result.
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Is there anyway to
grease some palms or something to get this game on CSN? I looked at their TV schedule and all they have set up is a story of the 1980 Phillies World Series. Awesome story, but not when the current Union have a game not being televised besides online or ESPN Deportes. Much less a game against a foreign powerhouse. Maybe ABC won’t allow it but hell if someone knows some people and it could be swung that would be awesome. I mean we were originally scheduled to play Seattle right? Where was that game going to be televised and why can’t we get that spot anymore?
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
Mike Vick is a piece of shit
We be journalizing, son.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/ - Eagles
http://bloggingthebeast.com/ - NFC East
by JimmyK on Jul 21, 2011 7:21 PM EDT
CSN doesn't have an agreement with the Eagles for programming, I'm pretty sure.
Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Jul 22, 2011 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
But it is just the Eagles stadium
so that falls under The Eagles programming? That’s kinda weak in my opinion. Also they rebroadcast some Eagles games so there has to be some sort of deal in place. I just wish I wouldn’t have to sit at my computer to watch this game. I am going to, regardless, and God knows it is better then being on TCN, which is not available in my area, but it’s still not as comfortable/convenient as sitting on my couch so I have more leg room to jump up and cheer/yell/cuss.
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
Mike Vick is a piece of shit
We be journalizing, son.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/ - Eagles
http://bloggingthebeast.com/ - NFC East
by JimmyK on Jul 21, 2011 7:21 PM EDT
by Talon Talent on Jul 22, 2011 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think that the Eagles have anything to do with it. All the World Football Challenge games seem to be handled by SUM and they’ve contracted with ESPN and Univision to broadcast them — hence, ESPN Deportes.
Oh
yes I guess that does make sense. Still sucks though but it makes more sense now. Danke Mister!
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
Mike Vick is a piece of shit
We be journalizing, son.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/ - Eagles
http://bloggingthebeast.com/ - NFC East
by JimmyK on Jul 21, 2011 7:21 PM EDT
by Talon Talent on Jul 22, 2011 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup, this has nothing to do with the Union, the Eagles or Comcast.
Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog
by Ben Feldman on Jul 22, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
It's the only one of these games involving an MLS team that isn't on ESPN or ESPN2
It’s also the only one of Real Madrid’s 3 games not to make it to the widely available ESPNs, The only other games that aren’t being shown are the Juventus – Sporting game, and the Club America vs. Manchester City game. Shows how little respect ESPN has for Philly.
Flyers, Phillies, Eagles, Union, Phantoms, Wings.
No, ESPN would love to be showing such a large crowd. It’s that they already have other live commitments for the 9PM timeslot (for the whole night, really) that were probably put in place well before this slate of matches was. They have racing on ESPN, and US women’s World Cup of softball game on ESPN2 (and they’re showing the Fire-Manchester United match in the 7PM timeslot on ESPN2).
Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog
by Ben Feldman on Jul 23, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Just for comparison’s sake. Where would this Union team be if they were in the Spanish League?
I say about mid-table in the second division.
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There’s a huge difference between the top 3 (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia), and the rest of the Spanish league. Even 3rd place Valencia was 21 points out of 2nd and 25 points out of 1st, and 4th place Villareal was a further 9 points behind them. People tend to forget that on ESPN and FSC, they mostly see the top teams from Europe, the champions league contenders. It’s kind of like judging the NFL by Patriots – Colts or Eagles – Giants, because the networks aren’t likely to torture you with Lions – Browns or Texans – Bills.
Flyers, Phillies, Eagles, Union, Phantoms, Wings.
That's right
except it’s more like watching Yankees-Red Sox twice a year, and then having every other game be Yankees-Royals or Red Sox-Nationals. (You get the idea)
Editor-in-Chief of Managing Madrid
@ManagingMadrid
I would say the Union would be towards the top of the table in the 2nd division, fighting for promotion. The top of the 2nd division/bottom of 1st division is nothing spectacular in Spain.
Editor at The Brotherly Game. Madridista de corazón. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @joeysamuel
by Joey Samuel on Jul 23, 2011 1:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
We all have to take into account that their salary wages equal maybe a tenth...
of a La Liga side, at the most. Give the Union high wage access and they’d compete more. They’d also make no money, like almost 99% of teams worldwide.
Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Jul 23, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, but I was just using the exercise to compare the relative talent of these two sides.
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So depressed about this game tomorrow. 50,000 for the Union with 48,000 for the Phillies + Rhianna concert thats gotta have at least 20,000? Where will I park?! haha
xEgan on Twitter
Craziest traffic scene I ever ran into down there was Jimmy Buffett playing at CBP, Rush at the Wachovia and the Philadelphia Soul at the old Spectrum.
The traffic/parking would have been bad enough with all three events, but of course the Jimmy Buffett fans have to all take up three parking spots each for their tents and grills and what not.
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just a not for those with xbox live
you can use that to watch the espn3 feed on your tv!
that is what i will be doing.
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