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Captain Califf Comeback?
After two weeks of missing playing time, Danny Califf is set to return to the starting lineup, according to Philadelphia Union head coach Piotr Nowak.
"[He] is good to go," Nowak said at today's press conference. "I think he's good status. I think there's a good chance he'll play."
Califf did not travel with the Union to Chicago last week and was benched for the team's first home game, against he Colorado Rapids, after he and Nowak had a public disagreement over the captain's knee.
Philadelphia has used a 3-4-1-2 and a 3-5-2 formation in the games that Califf has missed and has not looked confident defensively while doing so. Califf was the leader of a backline that allowed around three shots per game last season, one of the lowest rates in 2011, but has butted heads with Nowak in public twice since the playoffs in October.
Three Games In Five Days Probably Means No Adu
Nowak brought up Freddy Adu's playing time with the under-23 United States Men's National Team (USMNT) multiple times during the presser. The head coach felt that Adu's three starts in five days most likely would prohibit him from playing this weekend, but left it up to how the midfielder looks this week.
The 22-year-old scored a goal and assisted on three more in the USMNT's failed campaign to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. He was joined on the under-23 squad by teammates Sheanon Williams, an unused sub, and Amobi Okugo, who also appeared for the team in two games.
Adu was given an off day on Wednesday, according to a Union staffer who informed press members that the former USMNT international would not be available for an interview.
Concussion For Witkowski
Krystian Witkowski is out for at least this week, Nowak said. The rookie midfielder suffered a concussion and the medical staff is having him sit out the week, according to Nowak.
Witkowski made the gameday roster last week versus the Rapids.