Philadelphia Union select first players

Major League Soccer's newest club selected its first players in the 2009 Expansion draft on Wednesday, their first ten players will form the core of what is sure to be a physical, hard working team who may just surprise some people in their first season ala Seattle Sounders FC.  The club has yet to announce any major signings but no doubt these players will all fight for significant playing time.  The Union also signed US U23 international GK Chris Seitz from Real Salt Lake, he and Brad Knighton will duke it out for the starting GK position, neither of whom have been full starters for their club in terms of being number 1's as both were behind Nick Rimando and Matt Reis respectively.  Here are the ten players selected:

Philadelphia Union 2009 Expansion Draft Selections

(listed in alphabetical order)

Player	(Pos.)	Former Club
Jordan Harvey	(D)	Colorado Rapids
Andrew Jacobson	(M)	D.C. United
Brad Knighton	(G)	New England Revolution
Sebastien Le Toux	(F)	Seattle Sounders FC
Stefani Miglioranzi	(M)	LA Galaxy
Alejandro Moreno	(F)	Columbus Crew
Dave Myrie	(D)	Chicago Fire
Shea Salinas	(M)	San Jose Earthquakes
Shavar Thomas	(D)	Chivas USA
Nick Zimmerman	(M)	New York Red Bulls

Yanks Transfer Rumors and a Charlie Davies Update

With the latest MLS season past us, now comes the time for picking who and where our budding stars will be heading abroad.  Landon Donovan is being rumored to Celtic in Scotland and even Club America in Mexico.  Ricardo Clark as we all know is on the look out for a new club after not re-signing with the Houston Dynamo, one wonders if Serie A suitors Livorno are still keen on the defensive midfielder.  On top of those two here are some other bits from the grapevine:

• A rep for AGF Aarhus midfielder Benny Feilhaber has told Danish daily Sporten that the U.S. international is currently receiving interest from the Bundesliga, Eredivisie and La Liga.

• Ipswich Town is set to sign impressice American attack trialist Devann Yao.

• Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee has all but conceded that he will not be able to afford hot topic Houston Dynamo free agent Stuart Holden.

Also, in some Wednesday Premier League action, Clint Dempsey netted twice against Blackburn and Jozy Altidore continued getting starts in Hull City's 3-2 win against Tim Howard and Everton, forcing a nice reaction save from Howard early in the match.




According to Soccer By Ives, "U.S. national team forward Charlie Davies is rehabilitating in Delaware, and doctors have labeled his progress thus far "fantastic".

Davies has temporarily moved to Delaware with his girlfriend to continue his rehabilitation on the numerous injuries he suffered in a deadly car accident that took the life of one passenger on Oct. 13. The Sochaux striker is currently being assisted by the U.S. national team medical and training staff, who have been impressed with his improvement."


Also, the friendly against the Netherlands has now been confirmed.  Another awesome chance for the US to play solid competition away from home. 

Real Winners

Real Salt Lake is bringing home Utah's first ever major sports championship, and it took 120+ minutes and PK's to do it.  It was a match that was thoroughly controlled by the Galaxy, who scored one of the best team goal of the season which saw David Beckham attacking down the center of the field, playing a through ball to an on rushing Landon Donovan on the wing, who then made an inch perfect cross to the feet of Mike Magee. Real Salt Lake answered with a scramble in the box and who else but Robbie Findley able to tap home.  In penalties is where the real magic happened though.  RSL's Nick Rimando, one of the best penalty stoppers in MLS history, going up against Josh Saunders, who had come on for an injured Donovan Ricketts in the second half.  Both would come up huge, with both keepers making huge stops.  The shootout even saw Landon Donovan miss his first penalty in some would say years, when he skied it over the goal.  It came down to Robbie Russel with a chance to grab the trophy, and he buried it to Saunders right side and the celebration was on in Seattle in front of 46,011 fans.