Weekly Update 2/12/24
Last week without Union Soccer!
Good morning all!
Here are five things that have happened in the Union-verse since I last wrote to you all:
1. Philadelphia Union vs. Cincinnati Preseason Match
The Union and FC Cincinnati battled for 120 minutes. After a hot start, the Union fizzled out, and Cincinnati ended up victorious in a pretty meaningless match.
After the heated match against the Union, Cincinnati's head coach Pat Noonan and new addition to the Cincinnati roster, Corey Baird, spoke to the press about the match, the emotions during it, and what to expect in the future from the two squads.
Pat Noonan on the intensity of playing against Philadelphia:
"You come to expect that type of game. Maybe it went a little too far just with the talking and all the nonsense, but I think it is two good teams that compete in pretty good ways and there is a history. We have also played meaningful games in the last two years, that matters, adds to it. We can go about it in a way where there is intensity and less of all the things off the ball, stoppages."
Corey Baird on his first match, albeit preseason, against Philadelphia:
"Definitely was not a typical preseason game. It was a lot more physical, a lot more emotion than what you typically see in a preseason game. I kind of knew the way Philadelphia likes to do things. They are going to be a physical team, they are going to try and put you under pressure, get in some of those duels, but I wasn't quite ready, off the bat, for the game that was going to happen. I did not know as much of the history between the two teams, probably some bad blood between the two sides. It is good to play in those games."
2. Final preseason match has a live stream?
The final match of the preseason against the New England Revolution will be live-streamed. The sad truth is that the fan base and press should not be as excited as they are over the live streaming of a preseason match. It should just be standard.
However, here is the link to watch the 1 P.M. kick off:
https://www.youtube.com/live/o1XW0XhPy9E?si=aMUri1XHzG14l6xt
3. Venezuela’s Olympic dream is over
Despite sneaking into the final phase of the tournament, mistakes like the one made by Venezuela here eliminated them from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The hosts fell short against Paraguay, who went on to shock the world with their qualification. José Riasco played for 28 minutes and was not very involved.
Despite very little involvement, his behavior towards the officials at the end of the match suggested otherwise, which was not ideal for the Union player currently on loan in Uruguay.
CONMEBOL will be represented by Paraguay and Argentina.
4. Missing players for the Union throughout the year
Took a stab at mapping out who from the Union will be missing throughout the year, but more specifically the early parts of the season.
Feel free to share any pieces missing with me so that I can update it.
Depth will be tested this year and one must wonder if the Union have enough.
5. Union Kit Event
The Philadelphia Union have released an RSVP link for the kit launch event on February 17th. It will occur from 10 AM to 4 PM at Subaru Park.
They have named it "The Art of Doop" and describe it as "where art, music, and soccer meet." Attendees can expect an opportunity to take photos with the Supporter Shield and Eastern Conference Final trophies.
Additionally, live paintings will be created, and event-goers will have the opportunity to bid on the pieces created throughout the event.
Sign up here: https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/form/art-of-doop
Bonus: Jamiro Monteiro has a team
Former Union player Jamiro Monteiro is no longer a free agent.
Following a successful African Cup of Nations run with Cape Verde, he has joined Gaziantep FK of the Turkish Süper Lig.
Interestingly enough, the club announcement does not mention his time in Philadelphia but lists all of his previous stops.
The deal is for one and a half years, and the club currently sits 18th in the league, a relegation candidate.
Video Credit to Fox Sports and F.C. Cincinnati
Even in Türkiye no one likes us...