Brotherly Game - All Posts

Bakary Soumare Traded To The Chicago Fire For Pick, Money

2013-05-23T16:40:02Z

Update: Soumare was sent to Chicago in a package that has the Union eating part of his contract through the end of the 2014 season in exchange for a second round pick and an undisclosed amount of allocation money.

Bakary Soumare's stay with the Philadelphia Union will come to an end shortly, as the center back has been traded to the Chicago Fire.

A source informed the Brotherly Game that Soumare's trade request, which he had made at the beginning of the 2013 season, was fulfilled by the Union. The Fire, who Soumare started against twice in the course of eight days recently, will add their former standout defender.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed to the Brotherly Game at the time of the publishing of this article.

The trade was thought to be in the works since prior to the Union and Fire playing this season, but Soumare and officials on both teams had gone back and forth on the progress of any talks in regard to a deal. A Fire insider twitter account announced news of the trade today, sparking speculation that led to a source reaching out to the Brotherly Game about the swap.

Soumare played in one game in 2012 after the Union acquired him through the Allocation Draft, then he had surgery on one of his knees that put him out of commission for the remainder of the season. Philadelphia gave up allocation money and a first round pick, which turned out to be DeShorn Brown, in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft to bring in Soumare.

He started the last three Union games this year, including the two versus the Fire, prior to the trade.

LIVE: 5/22/2013 Rob Vartughian Press Conference

2013-05-22T17:31:19Z

John Hackworth takes a seat this week as the Union's Technical Director steps up to the podium for a press conference.

Philadelphia Union To Face Ocean City Nor'Easters In 3rd Round Of U.S. Open Cup

2013-05-22T02:19:55Z

Thanks to a shocking upset tonight in Ocean City, the Philadelphia Union will play host to the nearby Ocean City Nor'easters in the 3rd round of the U.S. Open Cup May 28 at PPL Park.

The Ocean City Nor'easters upset the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1-0 in a thrilling second round match to ensure advancement in the 100th U.S. Open Cup.

The Nor'easters are a member of the USL Premier Development League. In fact, they share a division with Philadelphia Union affiliate Reading United, who also advanced to the Round of 32 of the U.S. Open Cup by defeating Harrisburg City Islanders, the Union's USL Professional Division affilliate. Reading United will face New York Red Bulls in the 3rd round of the USOC.

It is currently unknown if the Union's match against Ocean City Nor'easters will be televised or not, although presumably the match will at the very least be streamed on the Philadelphia Union's official web site.

The eventual winner of the U.S. Open Cup will receive a $250,000 cash prize and a berth into the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League.

Poetry Corner Kicks: Fire 0 - Union 1 (again!)

2013-05-22T02:05:48Z

Right place at the right time. Jack McInerney may have a reputation as a "poacher", but there is a good reason that the vast majority of his goals are scored from inside the box - he knows how to position himself. You could call it luck if it happened a couple of times, but McInerney finds the right spot at the right time over and over again. It was nice to see a couple of long-range shots from him as well. Zac MacMath also put in another decent game against the Fire; no catching balls from INSIDE the net, no own goals ... is our little goalie growing up?

Second game in seven days
The Fire and Union play
Chicago came to PPL
A wet and rainy day
Jack would start the game off right
LeToux providing service
His header put the Union up
And made the Fire nervous
Then in minute forty-two
LeToux caused a to-do
His free kick forced a diving save
And Johnson’s aim was true
Duka then would test MacMath
And fire a cannon blast
But ‘Math got big and tipped it high
The danger had been passed
Thompson from the Fire was shown
A red for causing trouble
In a slide from the behind
Cruz was forced to hobble
Up a man with time to spare
The Union wanted more
Alas they couldn’t find the net
And they just couldn’t score
LeToux would give a souvenir
To shouting Sons of Ben
Who got to take a game-ball home
When time had reached the end
Second home win for the U
Six saves from Zac MacMath
Another goal for McInern’
Makes for a playoff path

MLS Announces 20th Franchise, New York City FC

2013-05-21T18:20:10Z

Pour one out for New York Red Bulls fans.

They are stuck in New Jersey with a new stadium, are struggling with attendance, and now have to deal with a new crosstown rival, New York City FC, firmly planted in New York City beginning play in 2015 with Flushing Meadows in Queens as the expected location for the new stadium.

Oh, and by the way, NYCFC are owned by Manchester City and the New York Yankees. Suffice to say, the Red Bulls are now the undisputed good guys in the New York area, or Orlando, or wherever they are playing in 2020.

Some members of the Sons of Ben may disagree, but the "rivalry" with New York Red Bulls has always appeared more Sons of Ben manufactured to drum up interest in the team than anything actually authentic.* Over time, D.C. United has become the more natural rival to the Union (and given the fact they have a history pre-dating the Union, also NYRB). But with the addition of an MLS team owned by the New York Yankees, it is certainly safe to say NYCFC should become a more natural, prominent New York rival to the Philadelphia Union.

*Seriously, people. New York Pink Cows. It's not even creative.

In basketball terms, NYCFC have become the Knicks, and New York Red Bulls are the pre-Brooklyn era New Jersey Nets. Attendance figures will soon reflect this.

While this should certainly make some things very interesting in MLS, do spare a thought for the New York Red Bulls and pour one out for New York Red Bulls fans. Place in the standings aside, things are about to be very not fun for them.

Match Day #12 Game Thread: Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire

2013-05-18T22:47:36Z

Game: Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire

Where: PPL Park, Chester, PA

When: 7:30 PM ET

Channel: The Comcast Network

Commentators: JP Dellacamera and Alejandro Moreno

Meet the Opposition: Hot Time In Old Town

Philadelphia Union starting XI: (4-4-2) Zac MacMath; Raymon Gaddis, Bakary Soumare, Amobi Okugo, Sheanon Williams; Brian Carroll, Danny Cruz, Kleberson, Michael Farfan; Jack McInerney, Sebastien Le Toux

Philadelphia Union bench: Chris Konopka, Chris Albright, Keon Daniel, Leo Fernandes, Roger Torres, Conor Casey, Antoine Hoppenot

Chicago Fire starting XI: (4-4-2) Sean Johnson; Wells Thompson, Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry, Gonzalo Segares; Dilly Duka, Logan Pause, Jeff Larentowicz, Joel Lindpere; Patrick Nyarko; Chris Rolfe

Chicago Fire bench: Paolo Tornaghi, Michael Videira, Corben Bone, Brendan King, Alex, Quincy Amerikwa, Sherjill MacDonald

Prediction: The last time these two squads met, the Union won but things could have gone better. This match is at PPL Park and even after the mid-week collapse against the Los Angeles Galaxy, surely the Union can put together a strong 90 minutes at home against Chicago. I hope. Union win 1-0.

Be sure to join us in this thread for a chat about the game and do not forget to follow along with updates on Twitter by following @brotherlygame and @tBGLive.

Poetry Corner Kicks: 2-fer-1 special!

2013-05-17T02:35:29Z

Just so everyone knows, I wrote the recap of the Fire game prior to Wednesday's game against the Galaxy being played. Against the Fire, Zac MacMath was the one on fire. It seemed that every time you turned around, he was there making another save. Jack McInerney got a decent shot off which ended up being the decider, which shot him to the top of the scoring charts in MLS. Against LA, MacMath still made some massive saves, but he also scored one for the opposition. But he wasn't the only one to blame for Wednesday's meltdown. Losing to the two-time defending champs, even at home, isn't fun, but it is understandable. It would have been nice to see a bit more of a fight in the second half however. Hackworth was crying for respect prior to the Galaxy game, but it seems that respect will have to be earned elsewhere. On with the recaps ...

Fire 0 - Union 1

The Union have a new D-line
While Parke and Williams ride the pine
But it’s okay to walk that path
When your goalie’s named MacMath

...

Jack would send a ball to Cruz
A pass for which a striker craves
But his first touch he did abuse
And then MacMath would make a save

The post would then get in the act
To stop the Fire’s attacking wave
Nyarko’s shot hit post exact
And then MacMath would make a save

Casey tried a heady play
But Sean was there, he didn’t cave
Nyarko then saw breakaway
And then MacMath would make a save

Then in seventy plus five
Jack’s goal dug the Fire’s grave
The Union striker came alive
And then MacMath would make a save

The Fire pressed to tie the game
They could not score through efforts brave
For every shot they put on frame
MacMath was there to make a save

Galaxy 4 - Union 1

MacMath scored against his own team
Okugo allowed them to dream
But Hector and Keane
And Landon were mean
No respect for the U in their scheme

Sorry. This game doesn't warrant much more of a recap. The Union lost. Badly. That's enough to know, right?

First Take: LA Galaxy Show Their Prowess In 4-1 Onslaught

2013-05-16T02:05:34Z

FIrst Half

In a press conference prior to Wednesday night's matchup, Philadelphia Union head coach harped on the fact that his team was not getting enough respect this season. With a solid performance against the MLS's best LA Galaxy, they had the chance to prove to the league that their strong early season start was no fluke.

But a poor start to the match up made the Union look like a team that deserved to be taken lightly. In the third minute, Los Angeles would score on a corner kick opportunity, as a Landon Donovan cross would hit Zac MacMath on the side of the face, deflect off the crossbar and into the net. It was certainly an embarrassing moment for the second year starting goalie, who had a strong game against the Chicago Fire just four days prior. However, Philadelphia would control the game for the rest of the half thanks to a new insertion into the starting XI.

Jose Kleberson would make his first start in a Union uniform, and made an extremely strong case to keep the central midfielder job for the long haul. He provided world class touch on the ball, something the Union have needed to propel them to the next level. The Brazilian international player provided a plethora of crisp passes, and helped to stretch an already vulnerable Galaxy back line.

And in the 23rd minute, the pressure finally broke the defending champions back. Sheanon Williams would deliver one of his patented long throw ins, and find Amobi Okugo all alone in the middle of the box for a an easy goal. It was the second of Okugo's career, and one of many Williams assists off a throw in.

Defensively, Philadelphia was extremely sound. The back line of Williams, Bakary Soumare, Okugo, and Raymon Gaddis played up high tonight, hoping to stunt any runs made by the Galaxy. It certainly paid off for the Union, as Los Angeles struggled to maintain any offensive chances in their final third. As the half progressed, Robbie Keane grew increasingly frustrated, with Philadelphia devoting two or three players to shadow him each time.

Going into the half, both teams found themselves knotted at one a piece.

Second Half

The latter forty-five minutes of the game had the Union defenders on their heals, spreading the field until they eventually found a seam in the 71st minute. Donovan was left with too much space to operate at the top of the Union box, and found a cutting Keane who would give Los Angeles a 2-1 advantage. Keane was able to sneak in by Gaddis, who turned his focus away from the Irishman and onto the ball, but Los Angeles was bound to flex their offensive muscle. The fault of the Galaxy's third goal would certainly fall on Gaddis, however. Once again he became entranced with the playmaking ability of Donovan and pushed to far into the middle box, leaving Hector Jimenez wide open to finish first goal of the year.

But Donovan was not finished, tacking on a goal in the 87th minute on a feed from Keane. If Philadelphia wanted respect, it was not meant to be earned on Saturday night. They were beaten in every facet of the game, and rather handily.

After losing two straight, a 4-1 win on the road was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Galaxy. For the Union, they're left to ponder whether or not they can compete with the top MLS teams, and why they're unable to win at home.

In five games at PPL Park, the Union are a measly 1-2-2. They'll have a chance to bring their home record to .500 on Saturday, as they take on the Chicago fire for their third game in eight days.