Set Pieces: World Cup, PPL Park Open House

June 14, 2010
Philadelphiaunion.com

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According to U.S. Soccer, goalkeeper Tim Howard's rib injury isn't serious and the keeper has been cleared to play by the U.S. medical staff.
 
JP Dellacamera looks at how England's Fabio Capello will earn the highest salary among World Cup managers and provides some thoughts about the U.S. World Cup squad.

 


Ever wonder what a replay of the U.S. vs England match would look like with players made out of legos?
  

Thousands of fans showed up on Saturday to watch the World Cup and get a look at Philadelphia Union’s new stadium, PPL Park. Many of those fans grew up playing soccer and are thrilled to finally have a team in Philadelphia. 

Union fans came to Saturday's PPL Park Open House & World Cup Viewing Party dressed in the colors of both their club and country, getting a chance to sit in their seats and meet Alejandro Moreno, Danny Califf, Sebastien Le Toux and Stefani Miglioranzi.
 

 

PPL Park was met with rave reviews from fans and players alike on Saturday.
 
Saturday's PPL Park event was a mere appetizer for the excitement of June 27th, when the Union open their home stadium against Seattle.  

MLS and AOL/FanHouse have rolled out a new online live call-in talk-radio show—“ExtraTime Radio.”
 

 

There were at least five lessons learned about the USMNT from their 1-1 draw on Saturday.
 
Tickets for the Union's friendly against Celtic F.C. on July 14 went on sale Monday. Tickets for the Union's match against Manchester United are also on sale, as are tickets for all home games at PPL Park other than the sold out opener. 
 

Germany dominated Australia in a 4-0 victory on Sunday. You simply cannot count the Germans out in the World Cup, as they always deliver strong performances when it matters. Watch a video of German fans cheering on their national team from Union Pub Partner Brauhaus Schmitz.

After a lucky goal against England, the U.S. must play better in order to get a win against group-leading Slovenia.

Japan notched its first win away from home today, defeating Cameroon 1-0.

The Netherlands got a win in their first match of the World Cup, but did not look sharp while defeating Denmark.

In order for the U.S. to have success against Slovenia, they must change their mindset from the hunted to the hunter.

This year’s World Cup has far surpassed the TV ratings of recent World Cups and the U.S. vs. England match was more watched than the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.
 
Fans breathed a collective sigh of relief after the U.S. vs England match ended in a draw, a result that is considered an upset for the Americans.

Despite criticism of the omnipresent vuvuzelas at the World Cup, FIFA President Sepp Blatter supports the use of the African horns, a tradition in the host country.

The fact that a draw against a soccer powerhouse like England isn't shocking to many American fans is a sign of progress.

 

Paraguay proved to be a much tougher challenge than expected for defending World Cup champions Italy, scoring first and ultimately taking a point.