The Brotherly Game has been quiet for the last two weeks, something certainly unusual for this site. Since the Philadelphia Union's 2-1 loss at home to the Houston Dynamo, there have been few articles published upon these pages. The reasoning behind this recent lessening of output is that a concussion has hampered my abilities to both read and write for the last two weeks.
Analysis of the Union's deal with CBS Radio's SportsRadio WIP. In 2012, 610 WIP will air 17 Union matches and a weekly hour-long soccer show.
As a worldwide sport, one that plays itself off as the world's largest and most influential, soccer should be a bastion of neutrality on all issues. Soccer is soccer, something to be enjoyed whilst feeling safe from all outside forces. FIFA has failed to properly curtail the tide of bias and prejudice throughout its membership bodies and that is truly a thing to fear.
The Philadelphia Union clinched their first ever MLS playoff berth yesterday, against Toronto FC.
The Philadelphia Union have an opportunity, on Saturday, to clinch the franchise's first ever playoff birth. Here's how the team can capitalize on its success and reach the playoffs, and why that same success might put them into, potentially, a terrible spot in their first ever playoff series.
At the end of the 2011 season, Torres will only have made around $204,725 since joining the Union. With the team's sponsorship deals and game-related revenues, the Union can easily afford Torres' potentially less than $200,000 cost, which is most likely much lower than former Union center defender Michael Orozco Fiscal's transfer price.
Every dollar under the cap is paid for by MLS, not the Union or any other MLS team. Based on a 5% increase, which is in the CBA, to this year's cap number ($2,675,000), next year would give teams $2,808,750 to spend. The Union will have $133,750 to spend in 2012, in addition to the $144,707 from 2011 that is not yet used.
"He's just happy to be with the Union. It wasn't the greatest season result wise with the Dutch Lions," Callon told the Brotherly Game. "He's really excited to play with the Philadelphia Union. Joe spoke to us on numerous occasions about the high standard of the Union and MLS."
What does newly signed rookie defender Joe Tait bring to the table for the Philadelphia Union? Jason Le Blanc writes a guest post on the times he watched Tait during the Englishman's time in the USL.
The 20-year-old defensive midfielder sung "Happy Birthday" to a fan at last night's game, after losing a Twitter bet. Okugo and the fan, KChristine of the Brotherly Game (@KChristine on Twitter), made the bet back at the Team Dinner charity event in July.
