MLS Insider Blog

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

While the Union aren’t exactly tearing up the top of the standings, their dangerous duo of Sebastien Le Toux & Danny Mwanga are making themselves known as individuals. With a goal on Saturday against Kansas City, Le Toux became the first player in the league to hit double digits in both goals and assists this season. Productivity like that is not easy to come by, especially for an expansion team (I’m sure I’ve asked before but someone remind me again why this guy was left unprotected in last year’s expansion draft?).

For most of the season Le Toux’s partner in crime has been Congo native Danny Mwanga, the 2010 SuperDraft’s number one pick. The Generation Adidas signing has been Robin to LeToux’s Batman, grabbing 7 goals (second on the team) and 4 assists (third on the team) in just 17 games. Needless to say he’s being trumpeted as one of the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year; with defenders Tim Ream (New York) & Ike Opara (San Jose) his only obvious competition, the odds certainly seem to be tipped in the direction of the sole attack-minded to consistently shine this year.

So while Philadelphia may be a long shot for post-season play, Le Toux & Mwanga should certainly be in the mix for a few post-season awards. It’s not the same as getting a crack at lifting the Philip F. Anschutz trophy but a few accolades after a long season can go a long way toward building confidence for next season; although 2010 isn’t over yet, with only 21 points to speak off it’s probably time for Philadelphia to cast an eye toward the future.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

I just read a piece from TheProvince.com on the choices facing the Whitecaps as they go about the business of building an MLS side. Right now they have their choice of taking first pick in the expansion draft, the SuperDraft or holding the top spot on the allocation list and there is a little pressure to make the best use of their expansion gift. To hear Whitecaps President and Vancouver native Bob Lenarduzzi tell it, “it could be a defining moment.”

The article goes on to ask if their team-building efforts could yield another Peter Beardsley, the former England national teamer who went on to experience great success with Liverpool, Newcastle United and Everton after scoring 28 goals in 73 appearances for the NASL Whitecaps in the early 80’s. They’d be more than lucky to do so as players of Beardsley’s talent come along about as often as, well, expansion drafts.

The other thing that stuck out to me in the piece was a line stating that the expansion draft “is unlikely to produce anything resembling a franchise player.” While it may be unlikely it’s not totally impossible; the Fire made Marco Pappa available in the 2008 draft (the Sounders took Stephen King instead) and the Union acquired the face of their franchise, Sebastien Le Toux (9 goals, 9 assists), in the 2009 draft. The quality is there, just not in quantity.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Is there a hotter attacking combo in MLS right now than Sebastien Le Toux and Danny Mwanga? Donovan & Buddle, Henry & Angel…they get all the headlines and a places and spots near the top of the conference standings for their respective sides. But while these two may not keep put their club in playoff position they are at the very least keeping their fans entertained.

In case you missed their latest feat of offensive daring-do, a well-executed cut back & kill maneuver on Colorado keeper Matt Pickens, it’s in in the clip above. These two have been so fun to watch in recent weeks; too bad we’re not likely to see their 2-man show in late October.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

To the uninitiated Fabian Espindola might be best known for breaking his leg while celebrating a non-goal a few years back but those in the know are well aware of the not-unsubstantial skill possessed by the Argentine forward/winger. Last night he put all his best moves on display in one highlight reel-worthy goal to draw RSL even with Philadelphia at PPL Park.

With a juggle to the left, then a juke to the right he maneuvered himself into a position to take on keeper Chris Seitz one-on-one. Then with an accuracy seldom seen outside of a surgeon’s table he fired the ball into the right side of goal, kissing the post on the way in. If you missed it last night check out the clip above to see exactly what I’m talking about. Quality stuff.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

In today’s episode of the The Daily, Greg and Jason discuss all the day’s dish and the fallout from last night’s USMNT friendly in New Jersey. They also preview tonight’s MLS matches between New York & Toronto and Philadelphia & Real Salt Lake.

Both of these matches are huge for their respective teams as there are significant points on the line. With a win over the Red Bulls, Toronto would grab second place in the East while 3 points for RSL would put them well within striking distance of LA at the top of the West. To add another layer of intrigue, both of these matches have implications for Saturday’s sold-out affair between New York and LA as both sides may find themselves clawing to retain their position in their respective conferences with a loss tonight. Things are heating up, aren’t they?

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

In Friday’s installment of The Daily, Nick & Greg recap last night’s buffet of MLS-related matches. With Superliga, friendly, and good, old-fashioned league action all on the table Thursday there’s a lot to relive. They also make time to look ahead to this weekend’s upcoming matches, including the big DP showdown in Chicago on Sunday and Ben Olsen’s debut as D.C. United’s head coach.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

I can’t wait until the season is over. Not because I want it to end or because I have had enough soccer. Quite the contrary. The only reason I wish it was November is so I could vote on the Goal of the Year. And when November comes around I hope I remember this strike by Sebastien Le Toux, an exquisite finish to an attractive (at points) build up.

Speaking of Le Toux, does Peter Nowak’s fantastic Frenchman take the cake for all-time best expansion draft acquisition? How Seattle Sounders boss Sigi Schmid leaves this guy -who has scored 9 goals so far this season- unprotected I have no idea. And seeing how the Sounders 2010 season hasn’t quite lived up to the team’s maiden voyage you can bet that he’d take him back in a minute; you know the fans would.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

How about that Danny Mwanga? While his team as a whole more than played up to the competition last night against, Mwanga’s play was exemplary. He was quick, showed some real soccer smarts and was above all else hungry. At no point did the kid play like this was a meaningless exhibition match; he went about the business of being a nuisance to the defense as if there was a playoff spot on the line.

I’ll tell you something. If Philadelphia can keep Mwanga and fellow striker Jack McInerney together under the tutelage of Peter Nowak the Union will be contenders in about three years time. Many questioned Nowak’s decision to go with so much youth in Philadelphia inaugural year but the more I watch these two (and the club’ other youngsters) it becomes more & more evident that Nowak wasn’t building for today a la his MLS Cup-winning ‘98 Fire or the ‘09 Sounders; this is a team built for the future. And if last night’s performance was any indication it looks to be a bright one.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Manchester United’s Nani is many things, a fighter among them. He’s just not the muscles & gloves kind. But apparently Edwin van der Sar didn’t want to be a killjoy and and remind him of that as he stood atop the famed steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, site of Sly Stallone’s most iconic moment in Rocky.

Nani & Co. will be looking for a knockout when they face the Union tomorrow night (tickets) at Lincoln Financial Field but don’t expect Philly to throw the fight. Riding a wave of confidence following consecutive wins over Celtic and Toronto FC, the Union will be looking to put up a good fight despite their underdog status; after all, Philadelphia has a reputation -Mr. Balboa’s to be precise- to live up to.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Before the Union get back in action this weekend let’s take one last look at their PPL Park opener against the Seattle Sounders. Our tour guide for this 360 degree look at the inauguration of the newest stadium in MLS? MLSsoccer.com’s own Greg Lalas. So sit back, relax and enjoy a quick 3:22 trip to Chester.