Philadelphia Independence
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
Veteran U.S. national team defender Heather Mitts has announced that her playing career is over. But her connections to the American soccer community will continue, as she's joining the Philadelphia Union's television team.
"The time has come for me to move onto a new stage of my career," Mitts wrote in a statement on her Facebook page. "I truly appreciate the women who paved the way, to my friends and dear teammates that I will never forget."
Mitts will be a sideline reporter and analyst during the Union's local television broadcasts. Her debut will come Saturday, when the Union host the New England Revolution at PPL Park. The Comcast Network will air the game, with kickoff set for 5:00 p.m.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced the results of the National Women's Soccer League allocation process for national team players from the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Each of the eight teams in the NWSL gets two or three Americans, two Canadians and two Mexicans.
There is no team in the Philadelphia area, but Sky Blue FC will play at Rutgers University's soccer stadium in Piscataway, N.J. In addition, the Washington Spirit will play at the Maryland SoccerPlex, located in the D.C. suburb of Boyds, Md.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
During her two years with the Philadelphia Independence, Joanna Lohman quietly established a reputation as one of the team's stalwarts.
Though the former Penn State star did not have the name recognition of such stars as Amy Rodriguez and Natasha Kai, Lohman nonetheless became a fan favorite for her hard work and her local ties by way of Penn State.
Although the collapse of Women's Professional Soccer dented the dreams of female soccer players across the country, Lohman turned that into an opportunity. She joined with Independence teammate Lianne Sanderson to form the JoLi Academy, and has been traveling the world to teach young girls about the opportunities soccer can provide.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
A nearly-full house at PPL Park watches the U.S. women's national team's 4-1 rout of China on Sunday. (Jonathan Tannenwald/Philly.com)
I admit up front that this post is a combination of fact and opinion, but I know you all well enough to believe that you will be able to properly separate the two.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
The draw for the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup is out, and the Philadelphia Union will be hitting the road if they beat Rochester at PPL Park next Tuesday.
The Union will face either D.C. United or the Richmond Kickers if they on Tuesday, June 5 if they advance to the fourth round. If it's D.C., it would be the second straight year that those two teams have met in the Open Cup.
And like last year, the game would be played at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., not at RFK Stadium.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
PRINCETON - In all the time I've spent covering soccer, Lori Lindsey is one of the best quotes and best people I've ever worked with.
The former Independence midfielder is also a perfect advertisement for the effect that a fully professional league can have on women's soccer in the United States.
Her career first blossomed with the Washington Freedom in the old Women's United Soccer Association in 2003. She remained with the organization when it moved to the semi-pro level after the WUSA's demise, then rose back with it to WPS in 2009.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
PORTLAND, Ore. - In 2011, the Philadelphia Union scored first in just five of their 17 regular season road games.
In their first road game of 2012 Monday night, the Union took an early lead, but couldn’t hold on to it.
The Portland Timbers ran roughshod over the Union after Gabriel Gomez’s 51st minute free kick goal, dealing the Union a 3-1 defeat in their season opener.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
I wanted to get to this yesterday, but there was far too much going on with the Union for me to have the time.
Here are some transcribed highlights from a conference call held with Women's Professional Soccer CEO Jennifer O'Sullivan and Atlanta Beat CEO T. Fitz Johnson. There's a lot to digest here, I admit. The call lasted over an hour, and this isn't close to everything that was said.
Still, I figure it's better to put more stuff out there on the record than less, especially in a situation like this. So here you go.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
Barely 12 hours after the United States women's national team wrapped up an extremely successful Olympic qualifying campaign, the women's soccer world was sent reeling this afternoon by the news that Women's Professional Soccer has suspended operations.
Here is the press release from the league:
Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today that its Board of Governors has voted to suspend the 2012 season to permit the League to focus on the resolution of certain pending legal issues and the challenges that now face the League as a result of its ongoing dispute with a former owner.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
I'm pretty sure that I don’t have to tell you much about Brandi Chastain in order to introduce my interview with her.
Even those of you who weren’t paying attention to soccer during the 1999 Women’s World Cup probably know that she scored the winning penalty kick in the championship game shootout. And I know you all know what happened after that.
Over the last few years, Chastain has made a successful transition from the field to the television set. Starting tomorrow, she and Glenn Davis will call the U.S. women’s national team’s CONCACAF Olympic qualifying games for Universal Sports and NBC Sports Network.
Reach Jonathan at jtannenwald@phillynews.com or 215-854-2330.
