Philadelphia Union
Jonathan Tannenwald
Former Philadelphia Union manager Peter Nowak has been denied in his attempt to sue the team in federal court.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania judge Mary McLaughlin ruled that Nowak's complaint should not be settled in a courtroom. McLaughlin upheld the Union's argument that the matter should instead be decided by an arbitrator.
Officially, the case has been stayed, not dismissed. This means that the court's role in the process is not completely finished. But McLaughlin's memorandum siding with the Union left Nowak's side pretty well beaten.
Jonathan Tannenwald
The Philadelphia Union will have a new co-tenant next year that hails from a professional women's football league.
But there's a catch. It will not be the brand of football that you might have initially expected.
The Lingerie Football League's Philadelphia Passion are moving to Chester next summer. The two-time defending Eastern Conference champions will play home games on June 15 and July 13, both of which are Saturdays.
Jonathan Tannenwald
Time: 8:09 p.m.
Venue: PPL Park, Chester, Pa.
TV: ESPN2 (Glenn Davis, Taylor Twellman and Alexi Lalas) and ESPN Deportes, starting at 8:00 p.m.
Starting Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-3-3)
Jonathan Tannenwald
According to documents recently filed as part of Peter Nowak's lawsuit against the Philadelphia Union, Peter Nowak "may have improperly profited from player transactions" involving "contracts for players in South America" while manager of the team.
That allegation came to light as part of a series of motions filed by both sides' attorneys in the case, which is being adjudicated in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The main question in the case right now is whether Nowak's complaint should be settled by an arbitrator or a federal judge.
But the procedural chess game isn't the big story. You want the juicy stuff, and there's plenty of it.
Jonathan Tannenwald
Within 24 hours of the Union's all-but-official elimination from playoff contention, the team has removed the interim tag from manager John Hackworth's title.
"I’m very excited to have been given this opportunity," Hackworth said in a statement issued by the team. "We have a very talented and committed group of players in our locker room and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to continue working with them long term as they and the organization continue to develop."
In that same statement, Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz said that Hackworth "deserves" the job.
Jonathan Tannenwald
In the minutes after the Philadelphia Union gave up a last-minute 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew at PPL Park, the atmosphere at one of Major League Soccer's most lively venues was pin-drop quiet.
The fans who made the midweek trip to Chester knew how important the defeat was. So did Union manager John Hackworth. When asked during his postgame press conference whether the Union are out of the playoff race, Hackworth did not mince words.
"I'm the eternal optimist, but I would say that I'm not stupid either," Hackworth said. "I don't think it's a possibility anymore. I think we should stop talking about it, personally, and I think we should concentrate on playing good soccer the rest of the way."
Jonathan Tannenwald
If you've been wondering over the last few weeks why forward Jorge Perlaza seemingly never came close to playing for the Union, you don't have to wonder anymore.
The Union and Perlaza agreed to a mutual parting of ways late Tuesday afternoon. It's not a surprise, considering that Perlaza hadn't played in the last 10 Union games. He did not even make the bench during that time, though he did play in some Reserve League games.
Since coming to Philadelphia in the trade that sent Danny Mwanga to Portland, Perlaza made just two appearances: eight minutes as a substitute against D.C. United on June 16, and a 64-minute start at Houston on June 30. He registered a total of one shot on goal in those two appearances combined.
Jonathan Tannenwald
After the Union and Real Salt Lake played to a scoreless draw Saturday night at PPL Park, I got together with The Inquirer's Mike Jensen to talk about the team's strengths, weaknesses and fading playoff hopes.
Jonathan Tannenwald
Time: 7:51 p.m. EDT (see why below)
Venue: PPL Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
TV: NBC Sports Network (Arlo White, Kyle Martino and Russ Thaler; broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. EDT)
If you haven't read my story from earlier today with the latest details on Peter Nowak's lawsuit against the Union, click here.
The Union are catching Real Salt Lake, perennially one of MLS' best teams, at perhaps the best possible time. Tonight's visitors lost at home to surging FC Dallas last Saturday, then scratched out an ill-tempered CONCACAF Champions League home win over Panamanian club Tauro FC on Tuesday. I wouldn't be surprised if Jason Kreis rests some of his regular players tonight
Jonathan Tannenwald
The Philadelphia Union have formally responded to former manager Peter Nowak's lawsuit against the team.
On Thursday, team counsel David E. Landau filed a motion to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, arguing that a federal courtroom is the wrong place to settle the issue.
Landau is a Philadelphia-based attorney with the prominent local firm Duane Morris LLP. He handles the Union's legal representation in local matters. The club's primary counsel is the Chicago-based firm Katten Muchin Roseman LLP. Both firms are representing the club in this case.
Reach Jonathan at jtannenwald@phillynews.com or 215-854-2330.
