The Union are still playing for the U.S. Open Cup.
Somewhere, and eventually.
(Times Staff/JULIA WILKINSON)

The Philadelphia Union are into the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

When that game will be played remains a mystery.

Jim Curtin shed some light on the matter Tuesday, saying that the Union are preparing for a July 21 date with the New York Red Bulls at a site and time to be determined.

“It’s changed a lot,” Curtin said after training. “In the past, I’ve had a lot of different emails and calls and correspondence. As of right now, I’m told it’s on the 21st. That’s the info I have. The venue is still to be determined.”

For its part, U.S. Soccer still lists the date on its website at TBD. The federation tweeted five days ago that they would have dates scheduled already, but that seems to have gone by the wayside in regard to the Union/Red Bulls date.

#USOC2015 Quarterfinal Dates and Times will be announced Thursday morning.

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) July 2, 2015

Let’s wade into the convoluted logic holding up something so simple as a game date. U.S. Soccer, which operates the tournament, clearly states that semifinals will be held July 21 or 22. Those blackout dates were established before the tournament began, a guide around which clubs should schedule their other events, such as friendlies.

Despite this, the Red Bulls agreed to take part in the International Challenge Cup, a grandiose sounding yet ultimately meaningless money grab … I mean friendly … against English Premier League champions Chelsea at Red Bull Arena July 22. The arena is also occupied July 21 for an ICC match between French club Paris Saint-Germain and Italy’s Fiorentina. (Hence the added wrinkle of the neutral site.)
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(Times staff / ROBERT J GURECKI)

For most of the night, Union interim manager John Hackworth had a good time ... except for when MLS All-Star coach Ben Olsen decided to sub in the Union's Carlos Valdes late in the first half.

"Carlos got an opportunity early and I told Ben I was pissed because I didn't want Carlos to play more than 45 minutes," said Hackworth, one of Olsen's assistants. "We had it out on the bench, and now we're all good."

Valdes got 55 minutes, Union teammate Michael Farfan took in the final 16 and the MLS All-Stars topped Chelsea FC, 3-2, Wednesday night in the MLS All-Star Game at PPL Park.

Seattle's Eddie Johnson scored in stoppage time to lead MLS, which required a first-half goal from Chris Wondolowski and a second-half strike from Chris Pontius to avoid staying winless in the league's summer showcase game for a fifth consecutive season.

For more from Hackworth and Farfan about the game, read on. Also, I've embedded video of Valdes (pictured above), upon entering the match, which can be viewed below.

JOHN HACKWORTH
On Farfan:
"You know, Michael -- I can't say enough about that kid because he just comes in and he's class. His touch is good, he weights his passes good, he fits right in, he doesn't look out of place at all. I'm really happy for him.

On reception for his players:
"It gave me goosebumps. I thought it was incredible. It's fantastic. It's great for our fans to see that and to embrace Carlos and Michael was fantastic.

MICHAEL FARFAN
On the game:
"It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life. To have all these fans cheering for us is an amazing experience."

On brother Gabriel Farfan's message:
"Nothing. He was just excited."

On disbelief in getting subbed on for David Beckham:
"I didn't (believe it). I never thought that would happen, but I'm excited that it did. Just really happy to be out here with everyone."

(Associated Press)

Here's a look at MLS All-Star Game coach Ben Olsen's starting lineup for tonight's match against Chelsea FC at PPL Park:

GK ... Nielsen
DF ... Beitashour, Collin, DeMerit, Morrow
MF ... Alonso, Beckham, De Rosario, Donovan
FW ... Henry, Wondolowski

About the starting XI:

• Off the plane, onto the pitch. Midfielder David Beckham will start tonight's match, despite getting off a plane only a short time ago. Beckham did not train Tuesday. He was in London for the Beyond Sport summit, in advance of the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games, at which Beckham will have a role. Kudos to the guy for making the trek back just in time for the game.
• Newcomers to the starting lineup. Forward Eddie Johnson and midfielder Graham Zusi were picked to be in the starting XI by fan vote. But D.C. United coach Ben Olsen instead went with defender Justin Morrow and midfielder Osvaldo Alonso.
• No Union starters. Though it would've been nice to see either of the Union's All-Stars, whether Carlos Valdes or Michael Farfan, in the starting lineup, that didn't happen. Valdes likely will sub on at halftime, and Farfan is expected to play the final 12 minutes of the match as a sparkplug sub.

(Associated Press)

Saying today was a busy one is kind of an understatement.

Here's a quick recap of what went down:

• Michael Farfan made the MLS All-Star team's gameday roster, becoming the league's youngest selection and the Union's second representative (joining Carlos Valdes).
• Oh, and ex-Union boss Peter Nowak sued his former club.

Yeah, about that.

Nowak has filed a lawsuit against the Union, citing wrongful termination while also seeking severance money he claims he's owed. According to his attorney, Nowak is owed “in the ballpark of $1 million.”

The story was first reported by philly.com's Jonathan Tannenwald.

There are a couple variables here: First Nowak contends his dismissal was without cause and without notice. Nowak's attorney, Clifford E. Haines, Esq., told the Daily Times that Nowak's contract did not allow for termination based on wins and losses, which was “not under the terms of this contract,” he said. At the time of Nowak's dismissal, the Union sat in ninth place in the Eastern Conference table.

Second, Nowak's lawsuit papers say he was unwilling to meet the Union's demands: To either sign a separation agreement, by which Nowak would agree to be dismissed by the club while also retaining his salary through this calendar year, or refuse to sign the agreement and receive no severance package.



“The team disputes the allegations in the complaint and will vigorously defend against the lawsuit,” Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz told the Daily Times. The Union said they will issue no further statements regarding Nowak's suit.

The interesting thing here is that Nowak's case is harmed by one of the documents he submitted as evidence. Nowak's attorney filed a letter sent to Nowak by Pennsylvania Professional Soccer LLC, a branch of the ownership group that owns the Union – Keystone Sports and Entertainment. Within the letter dated June 13, the date of Nowak's dismissal, the Union offer a number of explanations regarding Nowak's termination. Among them: Hazing of players, preventing his players from contacting the MLS players' union, insubordination with Union CEO Sakiewicz, suspensions and fines accrued as a result of on-field behavior, requiring injured players to train with the club, and seeking employment elsewhere. While still employed by the Union, Nowak reportedly applied for a vacant coaching position with Hearts, of the Scottish Premier League.

“They (the Union) have listed other things that Peter has alleged to do,” Haines said. “And even if he did them, we do not believe they're enough to justify his firing.”

Doesn't sound like a resolution will be reached any time soon. So stay tuned.

#       #       #

Anyway, back to the All-Star Game. Here are a few videos from Tuesday's training at PPL Park, with Union interim manager John Hackworth (also the MLS All-Stars' assistant coach) and Farfan discussing Farfan's selection to the team:

The countdown to the MLS All-Star Game, against Chelsea FC at PPL Park, has begun.

Later today, Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and MLS commissioner Don Garber will officially open the ceremonies with a 2 p.m. press conference on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Here's a preview video to further entice your appetite for next Wednesday's big game. Enjoy.

D.C. United's Ben Olsen will lead the MLS All-Stars July 25 against Chelsea FC at PPL Park, the league announced Thursday.

The job had been Union boss Peter Nowak's...until he was fired eight days ago. So much for that plan.

It was bandied about that Nowak's successor, John Hackworth, would get the honor. That's partially the case, with Hackworth joining the rest of United's technical staff on the job.

"Ben Olsen has experience playing in All-Star Games and he has guided his team to one of the best records in MLS so far this season," said Nelson Rodriguez, MLS executive vice president of competition and game operations. "He and his staff also have a relatively short distance to travel and his club does not play a league match on the weekend after the All-Star Game. Adding John Hackworth at his side strengthens the group that will assemble and prepare our team for this important game."

Traditionally --- well, of lately --- the coach of the team in the All-Star Game's host city has been the coach. That left the job to Nowak. Since he was fired last week, it was kicked around online whether Hackworth would assume the duties.

Olsen seems like the perfect choice, as outlined above by Rodriguez. He's geographically close to Philly and his team is close to tops in the Eastern Conference, a previous pre-requisite for managing the MLS All-Stars. And Olsen's a Harrisburg native. Sounds like a good fit to me.

"This is a huge honor," Olsen said in a statement. "This league has been a major part of my life, both as a player and now as a coach, and it's given me a lot. Ultimately, this recognition comes because of my team and my staff, but to represent the league on a big stage like this is a real privilege."

 

Hackworth, who has managed just one game as a head coach in MLS, doesn't deserve the distinction bestowed upon Olsen. At least not yet. But it's absolutely a cool gesture on MLS' and Olsen's part to include Hackworth in the festivities. Should make for a fun weekend.

The air's kind of out of the balloon.

According to FOX Soccer and Soccer by Ives, two reputable sources within the American soccer community, Chelsea will visit PPL Park July 25 to face the MLS All-Stars in the league's annual all-star game.

A formal announcement is expected Wednesday during an 11:30 a.m. press conference at PPL Park.

MLS all-stars have played an English Premier League team in seven of the last eight years. The MLS stars have lost the last three.

The Union hope to have a representative in this year's game, the first major MLS showcase in the three-year history of PPL Park. Sebastien Le Toux made the cut in 2010 and Faryd Mondragon earned a spot in 2011.

If I was to wage a guess, Sheanon Williams has as good a shot as anybody to make the 2012 all-star team. Not only is the right back consistent, in that he's missed only one match since debuting in 2010, but he's a lockdown defender who can make runs into the offensive third of the pitch. He's been the Union's top player to this point of the season.

Who do you think from the Union deserves consideration? Leave your thoughts below.