Welcome to the newly upgraded Philly Soccer Page. As you can see, we’ve changed and added some things, revamping this as somewhat of a magazine-blog hybrid with an increased sense of community for our readers. The last four months proved to be a pretty good soft launch, and we’ve been fortunate to draw some great readers. So, we’re offering a bit more.

We plan to increase our focus on the local soccer scene now that the snow has finally melted and the domestic soccer season is starting up again.

Likewise, we’re looking for more contributors to help us do that – and not just writers, but also photographers and videographers looking for a place to showcase their work. If you’re interested, click here for details.

We’ve added a host of new features, beginning with our layout, obviously. Here’s the rundown.

NEW FEATURES

Organization of posts – How to read the PSP

Our top four featured headlines run through in an automated sideshow that you can pause by clicking on any of their thumbnail images. Below, you’ll find the most recent story in one of four general categories: Philadelphia Union, Philadelphia Independence, U.S. national teams, and local soccer (which includes the local USL teams and major local amateur leagues). Just below that, all posts are listed in chronological order, with the most recent post posted highest, regardless of topic.

Forums

We’ve added forums to increase the sense of community. If you’d like another added, just ask us. They’re an open playground for our readers, as long as everyone maintains some decorum.

Images, posters and downloads

Designer Fredo Silva will be offering soccer-related images for free download and potentially posters for purchase on our Media page.

Local soccer links

We’ve moved our local soccer links to their own pages, linked at the top bar. Notably, you’ll find a new youth soccer page to help parents find leagues for their children.

Scoreboards

We’ve added links to scoreboards of major leagues so you can use this as a central portal from which to click to soccer scores. The main scoreboard page simply includes a running ticker of scores around the world, but the individual leagues’ links will take you to those scoreboards.

Photo sharing

On the sidebar, you’ll find links to a Flickr photo stream. That will eventually be an open group for all our readers to share their photos through. (I say eventually because it’s one of several tweaks still to come.)

Video highlights

We’ll regularly link to video highlights on our sidebar, most often of the Union but also of other Philadelphia soccer events.

Calendar of upcoming events

We’ve added a feature listing upcoming local soccer events. If you have an event you want listed there, let us know. We’ll add it.

Social networking – Facebook/Twitter

Our posts will once again go to Facebook. Simply click on the Facebook button to the right and join our Facebook group, and our posts will stream to you that way. Likewise, we remain on Twitter, and you can follow us that way as well.

Sharing posts

You can now share our posts with your friends in a number of ways. Check it out at the bottom of each post.

Advertising

The Philly Soccer Page will offer limited advertising to help raise money for soccer field improvements in Philadelphia. For details, click here.

More changes

I may be forgetting some things, and I’m surely leaving out things that we plan for the future. We’re definitely open to suggestions, and if you hit any bugs, let us know! You’ll surely see us tweaking things over the next 1-2 weeks as we settle in and get used to this new site. Hopefully it’ll be smooth.

Thanks a bunch for reading. Please let us know what you think of the new site.

YMCA fans welcome MLS to Philadelphia with a traditional song (mlsnet)

Hot on the heels of Dan’s near-mathematical proof that MLS is filled with top talent, it’s time to discuss MLS’s role in the footy world. At this point, the biggest waves MLS makes is the acquisition of a star player at the tail end of his career.  While these moves (Freddie Ljungberg, some guy from England) unquestionably make American teams better, they also mark MLS as a league that doesn’t trust its homegrown talent or its fan base to fuel its success. American soccer today is confronted with the same three-headed hydra of issues that MLS faced fifteen years ago: 1) Soccer fandom is not ingrained in our culture, 2) A multitude of other sports are, and 3) We are not in Europe (and thus cannot go head-to-head with the European teams recruiting big-name talent). The United States rarely settles for second place. Will MLS ever grow into a league that can compete with those in footy-crazy countries? And will US fans be happy with a league that accepts its role as a feeder system for larger leagues and a buyer of over-the-hill stars?

There is nothing wrong with being a feeder league. Many of the soccer’s best players came up through leagues that earn beaucoup d’argent by developing and selling their country’s top talent. While the obvious examples are the Brazilian and Argentinian leagues, even European countries get in on the act. Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, and Turkey all have a long history of acting as something of a minor league system for the big-money leagues (although they may be loathe to admit it).

But the US is different. We have always had something of a protectionist attitude about sports. We were never that good at European sports, so we invented our own. And then we called our best teams “world” champions. MLS has been both an engine and a beneficiary of the US National team’s climb up the world rankings, but the domestic league is many billions of dollars/pounds/lira away from competing with the Premier League or the Bundesliga.

While Dan is correct that many Philly Union players could make the roster of a lower level European league, MLS is not at the point where players come to the US after a successful stint on a European team. They come when their playing time evaporates or they come because they’re getting up there in years and, hell, the USA is still a great place to live.

And what about the local lads? Many MLS fans are rooting for Landon Donovan to extend his loan at Everton, citing it as an example of the continued growth of American soccer. The most common argument here comes up in a recent Tim Howard interview, where the Everton goalie estimates that the US needs somewhere between 11 and 22 players in top European leagues before the US National team can truly make a push for the World Cup. A noble goal, but the flip side of the coin is that every time a player of Donovan’s caliber leaves MLS, it lowers the level of competition. Yes, yes: It also opens the door for new talent, but who is that talent playing against? No offense to Jeff Cunningham or Conor Casey but they have produced no offense in top leagues.

Philadelphia has embraced its Major League Soccer franchise thus far, and one senses that expectations are high. But what about expectations for MLS in general? Are we happy being Lorient’s dumping grounds, or is there a distant dream of seeing the Philadelphia Union step onto the field against Barcelona in a game that actually matters?

FC Dallas scored scored with an unassisted goal by Dax McCarty in the 10th minute. In the 76th minute, David Ferreira’z free kick was headed in by Ruben Luna.

Alejandro Moreno, Danny Califf and Michael Orozco were each issued red cards in the loss.

The first FC Dallas goal came after only 10 minutes when Dax McCarty beat Chris Seitz after a trip down the right sideline.

A free kick by David Ferreira in the 76th minute was headed in by Ruben Luna.

While details are sparse at the time of writing about the red cards, the best Union scoring chance happened just before half time when Stefani Miglioranzi passed the ball to Roger Torres at  the top of the box. Torres then delivered the ball through the Dallas defense to Sebastien Le Toux. One-on-one with Dallas keeper Kevin Hartman, Le Toux sent the ball over the crossbar.

The Union next face the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Friday, March 19, at Pepin Stadium at 7:30pm.

To that I say: Bull.

No, I’m not saying all MLS players could find clubs abroad. Not too many clubs look for 33-year-old backup midfielders, and MLS has a few of them.

But MLS is no different than other leagues in this regard. Could every player in first division leagues in Denmark, Chile or Ghana find a club abroad? Not likely. Yet these are all World Cup-bound nations. MLS may not be the English Premier League, but after just 15 years, it can compete with second-tier premier leagues around the world. So can its players.

Just take a look at Philadelphia Union’s roster, and you can see pretty clearly that most of the team either has played in a foreign league or could do so if MLS disappeared. And because I was looking for some almost-happy soccer topic to counter the doom-and-gloom all about, I did.

(Remember, this is purely hypothetical, basically a parlor game, because I don’t think MLS goes poof any time soon. Basically, this is one of those “Stop hating on MLS quality” columns, in addition to striking down a false argument.)

Chris Seitz

A 2008 Olympian with youth international experience. The U.S. has a track record of producing starting goalkeepers for English Premier League clubs (Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller, Marcus Hahnemann, etc.), and Seitz may be the best American goalie prospect since Brad Guzan, who’s now at Aston Villa. Seitz could land at a lower-tier English club or in Scandinavia.

Califf abroad? Been there.

Danny Califf

He’s already served as captain and vice captain for Danish sides FC Midtjylland and Aalborg BK and has 23 national team caps. Enough said.

Shavar Thomas

The Jamaican national teamer could surely find a club in the Caribbean to sign with, even if in his home country’s small league.

Michael Orozco

Joined the Union from San Luis F.C. in Mexico’s top league, where he started. Moving on.

Dave Myrie

Another one who’s already played first-team soccer abroad, playing the last two seasons in Costa Rica’s top division. Just 21 years old.

Jordan Harvey

This former U.S. youth international who was a regular starter in MLS last season. Likely has the talent to find a club abroad, but not as easy to guarantee as the others above because he hasn’t done it before and doesn’t play goalkeeper.

Fred

Starred in Australia’s top league and played in Brazil’s lower divisions. Could surely latch on with a club in Australia again.

Toni Stahl

Stahl played in his home country of Finland with second division side Atlantis Akatemia before becoming a top U.S. college player. Could find a team in Finland or Scandinavia.

Stefani Miglioranzi

Played for League 1 club Swindon Town in England and left when they were relegated to League 2. Still young enough (32) to draw interest if his injury problems are behind him.

Roger Torres

The teenager just joined the Union from Colombian first division club America de Cali. Methinks he could play there again.

Andrew Jacobson

Signed with France’s Ligue 1 side, FC Lorient, in 2008, but injuries wrecked his only season there. Has something to prove on the field, but he has the talent.

Sebastien Le Toux

Another ex-Lorient player, he played 15 games for them while they were in Ligue 2. Has French citizenship and has been a late bloomer, but he might need a good season in MLS to find a professional club in France.

Moreno in Venezuela? Cake.

Alejandro Moreno

Something tells me a striker for the Venezuelan national team could find a club in Venezuela if he wanted.

Danny Mwanga

Mwanga was drawing interest from European clubs before signing with MLS. Being the top pick for a club run by a manager who’s well-respected in Europe couldn’t hurt.

Jack McInerney

Also had interest abroad before signing with MLS. Just 17 years old, could likely find a club in England.

So who’s that leave? Not much. Goalkeepers Brad Knighton and Brian Perk; midfielders Kyle Nakazawa, Shea Salinas, Amobi Okugo and J.T. Noone (if Noone makes the club); and forward Nick Zimmerman. What do they all have in common? They’re young, unproven and could turn out to be terrific players once given playing time.

Bottom line: The Union’s roster shows the argument that most MLS players couldn’t find clubs abroad is bunk. Most already have, and they’re mostly young enough to still do the job. Yes, the Union’s roster is younger than most in MLS, but the older backups can go play in the NASL-USL.

What do you think? Here’s your target. Fire away. Something to play with while hoping to have a Union game to watch March 25.

The media fallout from the news that the MLS Players Union has voted to strike is ongoing. There is some discrepancy in the numbers: while some report that the vote is 350 to 2 in favor of a strike, apparently based on the Washington Post saying “more than 350″ supported the strike, seattlepi.com puts the number at 383-2, noting that the numbers are “more than the typical roster limit in the league, because clubs have not trimmed back rosters since no agreement is in place.” Here’s some of the best of the web so far:

• Sports Illustrated
• Houston Chronicle
• San Jose Mercury News
• The 90th Minute Soccer Blog
• WVHooligan.com
• Big Apple Soccer
• Soccer America

In an open letter to the MLS and the Players Union about the possible strike, Match Fit USA talks to the Sons of Ben.

Amid all of the strike talk, let us not forget that, on Sunday at 7 p.m., the Union will face a MLS club for the first time in team history when they play FC Dallas at the University of Tampa’s Pepin Stadium.

Seattle Sounders poor pre season form, Philadelphia Independence video, Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies comeback, and Manchester United gag players after the jump.

The Seattle Sounders, scheduled to host the Philadelphia Union in the MLS season opener on March 25th, were scoreless for the second straight game on Thursday, this time in a 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers at Qwest Field.

The Philadelphia Independence has posted a training camp video on YouTube with coach Paul Riley discussing the team. Just why the soundtrack sounds like porn music is beyond me. Additional footage without the soundtrack is available on facebook. It was windy. Independence goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc debuts “Karina Kam” on the Independence website.

As if we didn’t know it, Everton manager David Moyes says that a possible players strike means he isn’t sure if the club’s Saturday match against Birmingham will be Landon Donovan’s last game.

Charlie Davies plans to be playing for Sochaux by the end of April.

Manchester United ban players, MUTV from talking about anti-Glazers protests.

““Recent comments from players simply reflect the fact that the players are unified and, per the results of our strike vote, will not begin the new season if a new agreement with the league is not reached.  This is not a change in position by the Union and should not be read to reflect in any way upon what has, or has not, occurred this week in the meetings with the mediator and the league.”

“Major League Soccer’s negotiating team, including Commissioner Garber, met for three days this week with the leadership of the Players Union together with George Cohen, the director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

We have an understanding with the Union and the mediator that we will not publicly discuss what takes places during these bargaining sessions.

As such, we were disappointed to see comments from a number of players characterizing the status of the negotiations and the possibility of a strike.

The meetings this week were productive and we have scheduled a number of additional meetings. And while we can’t discuss what occurs across the bargaining table, we do believe that the players’ comments do not accurately reflect the proposals that we have made to address the players’ concerns or the productive nature of the discussions between MLS and the Players Union.”

Before information about the vote to strike was first reported by the Washington Post late Thursday afternoon, the Boston Globe published an article placing the potential impact of a strike in historical context. In 1979 players in the North American Soccer League went on strike at the peak of the League’s popularity. The NASL folded in 1984.

The players voted 383-2  to strike if there remains no deal on opening day, when Philadelphia Union visits the Seattle Sounders. No official word yet from the league or the union.

Too bad about the context.

A PSP reader sent me an email today titled, “Is my Seattle trip in jeopardy?”

He plans to fly to Seattle to catch the Union’s first match on March 25 against the Sounders. Now, he suspects there won’t be a game, thanks to the increasing likelihood that a players strike could delay the season after players and management left the bargaining table Wednesday without a new collective bargaining agreement.

So will they get a deal done? It’s 50-50. Labor negotiations often go down to a key deadline, because pressure increases on both sides to compromise. The key issue remains free agency, with players now unable to freely join another MLS club even if they’re released. If they strike, nobody loses like Philadelphia.

The sad thing is that Philadelphia sports fans should have known something like this was coming. Life as a Philly fan is a continuous cycle of kidney punches that hit you when you least expect it, but the bottom line is that you always should. It’s like Charlie Brown repeatedly going to kick that field goal, only to have Lucy pull the ball at the last moment.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here we have a brand new team, thanks in no small part to the dedicated and well-organized fans who pushed for the club.  Now those fans, right on the brink of realizing their dream, are about to get welcomed to the league with a boot to the head. Thanks for coming, guys. Take a souvenir on the way out.

To add insult to injury, the team is called the Union.

When I first learned the team name, I didn’t think of the union of the 13 colonies. I thought of the notorious Philadelphia labor unions, who seem to go on strike every other year and dominate city politics. There was the latest transit strike last November, the carpenters union strike in 2006 that shut down construction projects around the city, and the infamous “Johnny Doc” and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, known for their political influence and intimidation.

It took a while for the name, “Philadelphia Union,” to grow on me, but eventually it did. It has an elegant simplicity that great soccer club names have and draws on the regional history with a nicely Americanized version of the English “United.”  Other clubs around the world include “Union” in their name, but there are so few that it still feels original.

But now it’s nearly strike time, and we’re back to harsh reality. You’re hopeful, but this is Philadelphia. We should be used to this by now, don’t you think?

Without Fox Soccer Plus you’ve missed Portsmouth’s FA Cup victory over Birmingham. You’ve missed having the choice of watching Lyon stick it to Real Madrid live at 2:30 p.m. in the Champions League rather than having to wait for the delayed broadcast at 5pm on FSC. This weekend you will miss a classic London derby between West Ham and Chelsea as well as Manchester United against Fulham. Next Sunday you will miss Manchester United against Liverpool.

Of course, if you subscribe to Direct TV or Dish Network, you already have Fox Soccer Plus.

So what’s the deal with Comcast?

I have been in communication with Comcast via Chat, phone and email. When I “chatted” with “Gladys” a month or so ago, I was assured that Fox Soccer Plus would be available at no additional cost to those who already subscribe to Comcast’s Sports Entertainment Pack. Then, the week before the new channel was to begin broadcasting I spoke with a very helpful customer service representative.

He told me that he had received several calls about Fox Soccer Plus but had no information about when Comcast would offer the channel in the Philadelphia market. He said that workers in the call center were not usually informed about new channels before they were included in the lineup and recommended that I keep my eyes open for its sudden appearance. He was optimistic that Fox Soccer Plus would be added since Comcast already has every other Fox sport channel and actually took my number to call me if he heard anything further.

While I appreciated his optimism and help, I still hadn’t found the answer I was looking for. So I decided to email Rick Germano, the senior vice president for customer operations at Comcast.

While Mr. Germano didn’t get back to me, one Michelle Flood did. This is what she had to say:

I understand the importance of this channel to you and would like to thank you for writing us to express your interest in having this channel added to your line up. We appreciate your feedback and we will make sure to share this with the appropriate teams. Customer interest is important in the selection process for new content.

Which of course strikes me as saying a whole lot of nothing.

If you want your Fox Soccer Plus, why not send Comcast a message? Be polite but firm. After all, starting in April, the monthly fee for subscribing to Comcast’s Sport’s Entertainment Pack will go from $5 a month to $6.95.