Sadly its almost that time of year again. Time to look back over the 2011 season and reflect.

We are going to be doing a BEST / WORST OF 2011 both on UnionDues and on YSA Report Podcast . We want to know what YOUR best or worst moment of the 2011 season is.

The best (and worst) responses will be included with a special prize (to be named later) for the best response.

Let us hear from you!

Editors Note: I was going to publish this post from JC Escobar as I always do, whole. I was preparing to do that and I realized that I had some things to say on the subject. So I am going to try to “write around” his words and hopefully add to the overall sentiment, as opposed to make a mess of it all. My words will stay in italics.

Despite all of the praise that Freddy Adu has been receiving online, especially on Twitter, I feel he played terribly last night against DC United. He admittedly may be slightly injured and by his own admission not quite match fit. He was again played on the right, instead of in his favored central position. He looked lethargic, and at times uninterested. There was a single incident that a ball was played into space for him and his reaction was so delayed it was nearly comical. He had several opportunities to put the game away, either with a pass to an open Le Toux or to use Le Toux as a decoy; but all he could do is take 3 shots, and even then managed to get all of them blocked.

Adu seemed unwilling or unable to run at defenders. He did lay off a few decent passes but it was obvious to the untrained eye that he was a step and often a thought behind the game.

My question is, why did he come in the first place? Roger was doing a great job orchestrating the offense and circulating the ball, so I’m not sure why Nowak felt the need to bring Adu in. My only guess is because he was just sitting there, a million dollars and change, not doing anything. Maybe it’s loyalty? Or perhaps Nowak was getting him minutes in an attempt to get him fit and in form for a post season to come? Clearly an in form Roger Torres at 75% is better than a lookimg to adapt Adu at 80 or 90%?

Which brings me to my next point… What’s going to happen next season, then? Clearly Torres has shown that he can outplay Adu. The way Roger is playing, his maturity level, his confidence, his passing ability, his vision are all second to none on this team. Roger is our present and our future. I at least I hope he’s our future. I hope Nowak’s loyalty and stubbornness doesn’t cost us our best playmaker.

The truth may be that Freddy Adu is here because of his name and because of his past. The front office sees him as a way to sell season ticket packages, and I am sure they are correct. Nowak may see him to finally coming to Philadelphia as an opportunity to mold him into the player he knows he is capable of becoming. I’m afraid he’s past his prime, which is admittedly weird to say about a 21 year old. But the reality is that he’s no Roger Torres, and he’ll never be.

JC Escobar (mostly)

DC United comes to PPL Park on Thursday September 27th. Our very first encounter with DC and its most putrid of fans, the “Barra-Brava”. Supposedly this translates to “Brave Fan” Read my earlier post of my first encounter with these Brave Fans, that exposes them for the cowards they are.

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The Regular season is winding down and as the Union look forward to a possible playoff berth we here at UnionDues are already beginning to look back over the Union’s Sophomore season.

Whats Left

After the draw with SKC, the Union have 5 games left with a total of 15 points on offer. I expect them to pick up a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8. Any less, and the playoffs are a dream; any more, and our fate is in our own hands.

Either way, calling this season a disappointment would be just assinine.

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www.philadelphiaunion.com

On September 15th at 5pm MLS rosters “freeze” until after the playoffs. The Union have added Morgan Langley from the Harrisburgh City Islanders, the club that gave the Union Sheanon Williams last season, and Joe Tait from the Dayton Dutch Lions (what a GREAT name for a football club).

The Official Story

The Union have 26 players registered on their first team roster. According to the official roster on the website they have:

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