Union fall to D.C. United in U.S. Open Cup match

Boyds, Md. – The Philadelphia Union were knocked out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday evening as the club fell to D.C. United, 3-1 in a fourth-round matchup played at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.

“Really disappointed in our performance tonight, in particular the way we started that game,” said Hackworth. “It was unacceptable on a lot of levels. I give full credit to D.C., they were good tonight and we knew they were going to bring it. At the same time, I certainly don’t think we brought our best.”

United pounced first in the 24th minute when Dwayne De Rosario scored his first of three on the night, hitting a driven curler past the outstretched arms of Zac MacMath. De Rosario then scored his second in the 75th, when he finished off a nifty ball in from forward Lionard Pajoy, but Union goal scoring guru Jack McInerney brought one back just a minute later, finishing a low driven ball into the box from Don Anding to make the score, 2-1.

A big highlight for Philadelphia was the play of Anding who entered as a left midfielder in the 67th minute, which shifted fellow second half substitute Leo Fernandes into center midfield. Anding had nice touches on the ball and sent a few crosses into the box that created dangerous chances.

“He certainly came on and had some great touches to help Jack get the goal,” Hackworth said of Anding. “He’s got great pace and athleticism, he just needs more time to develop.”

But in the 85th minute, De Rosario stifled all hope as a Union defensive lapse at the edge of the final third saw the future MLS Hall of Famer take a shot from close to midfield that rolled in behind Union goalkeeper MacMath, who was off his line.

“We were just caught sleeping,” said Union forward Sebastien Le Toux postgame. “We came out and there was no intensity and we were running out of position and not defending [as a team] and it’s hard to play like that. We went after the score [in the second half]…but a lack of concentration didn’t help. We know we have to be better; no one is happy with this result, especially not me.”

What the Union also lost was a chance to host USOC quarterfinal play at PPL Park on June 26. Instead, it will be United who get a chance to move onto the semifinal round when it returns to the Maryland SoccerPlex to host New England who were 4-2 winners over New York Wednesday night.

The Union will look to return to winning ways when they travel to play USL-PRO affiliate Harrisburg on June 18. Then it’s a return to MLS action on June 23 against the New York Red Bulls.

BOX SCORE
D.C. United 3, Philadelphia Union 1
Wednesday, June 12; 7:00 p.m. ET
Maryland SoccerPlex, Boyds, Md.

SCORING SUMMARY
D.C.: De Rosario 25’
D.C.: De Rosario 75’
PHI: McInerney 76’
D.C.: De Rosario 85’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI: Okugo 46’ (caution)
PHI: Fernandes 56’ (caution)

UNION STARTING 11
MacMath, Williams, Okugo, Parke, Gaddis, Carroll, Farfan (Anding 73’), Daniel (Fernandes 45’), Le Toux, McInerney, Casey (Hoppenot 65’)

UNITED STARTING 11
Willis, Kemp, Woolard, White (Pajoy 67’), Riley (McDonald 62’), Pontius (Nyassi 45’), Thorrington, Kitchen, DeLeon, Townsend, De Rosario

Eagles' Peters arrested

Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters was arrested in Monroe, Louisiana today after leading police on a chase at speeds exceeding 100 miles an hour,  according to USA Today.

Peters was charged with drag racing and resisting by flight.

The arresting officer claimed that he observed two cars stopped next to each other at a red light take off at a high rate of speed when the light turned green, as if they were drag racing. The officer went to pull over both cars, and while one driver stopped immediately, the other driver (Peters) fled and speeds reached more than 100 miles an hour during the chase.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Peters missed the entire 2012 season after suffering a pair of Achilles tendon injuries.

Engaged in backpage war with Stanley Cup Finals, Flyers acquire Streit from Islanders

If you're an organization looking to upstage the first game of the Stanley Cup Final, in a city whose fans are hanging on every word and waiting impatiently for the return of the same, this is the way to do it.

The Flyers announced on Wednesday afternoon -- hours before the championship round was to kick off in Chicago -- the acquisition of the rights to pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Mark Streit from the New York Islanders, in exchange for forward Shane Harper and a fourth-round draft pick in 2014.

“Mark is a player we would have had interest in on July 5th," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. "We now have exclusive negotiating rights and we are hopeful that we can get an agreement in place prior to him becoming an unrestricted free agent.”

According to the Daily News, who quoted Streit's agent, negotiations are to begin immediately. He pocketed just over $4 million in the just-completed 2013 season, and rejected a $14.25 million deal over three years from the Islanders offered in April.

"I’m pretty confident. I think that maybe they need a few days or weeks, but I’m pretty positive. It’d be awesome to play for the Flyers. The future is bright," Streit said to a Flyers insider this afternoon. "There is so much skill and a great mix between veteran players and young players, so I’m pretty confident and I truly hope it’s going to get done soon.”

If, for some unforeseeen reason no deal is forthcoming, Streit goes back into the free-agent pool and is eligible to be acquired by any other team -- a scenario which reared its head in the Summer of 2010 when Holmgren snagged the rights to Dan Hamhuis from Vancouver but neither he nor the Penguins could come to terms, and he wound up signing with the Canucks.

Even if Streit doesn't end up coming to terms with Philadelphia -- which may seem unlikely since the Flyers can be very persuasive -- Streit will be going elsewhere, as Newsday's Arthur Staple reported last week, quoting multiple sources which indicated the veteran will seek his fortunes away from Nassau County going forward.

Say what you will, but the organization is nothing, if not consistent, when it comes to baiting their hooks for the biggest fish in the pond.

Streit, 35-years-old and having served as Islanders captain for the last two seasons, is a left-handed shot with offensive capabilities who quarterbacked the youthful New York power play. Though closest in skill set to a Matt Carle, he's still in body a high-end "replacement" for Chris Pronger in the short term. That is a potential recipe for disaster given the disdain Flyers fans have for the former and esteem they hold for the latter.

Though he has only logged eight years of NHL experience in Montreal and Uniondale, Streit is also an eight-year veteran of his native Swiss Elite League, having suited up for Davos and Zurich, and then for Bern while the league endured its third lockout in the Fall.

He totaled six goals and 27 points in all 48 regular-season games, then added two goals and three assists in a six-game, first-round loss to the Penguins, but was a minus-14 only one season removed from a career-worst minus-27.

For his eight-year NHL career, Streit has totaled 65 goals and 223 assists for 288 points, while playing in 491 games with Montreal and New York.

Harper, 24, spent last season split between Trenton in the ECHL and Adirondack of the AHL, picking up 19 goals and 37 points over 63 combined games. After a late-season demotion to the Titans, he ripped through the remainder of the schedule, totaling 27 points (14G, 13A) in only 15 games.

The buzz is there, and that is what's most important. For the next period of time, from tonight until 23 days from now when free agency actually begins or if Streit signs within that period, the front office has the collective ears and eyes trained back on them, which is key to the psychological edge it holds over thousands of loyal fans and others who love to jump in and analyze every move.

Forget the high-caliber level of hockey to be found at United Center and TD Garden over the next two weeks, let's get 'em hooked on something which actually hasn't happened yet but is much closer to home.

And that was borne out in the stats, as Philadelphia was not in the top 10 markets for viewings of Wednesday's thrilling triple-OT win by the Blackhawks over the Bruins in Game 1. 

Extra Points: Another medical miracle brewing in Minnesota? - Football Wires - MiamiHerald.com

Extra Points: Another medical miracle brewing in Minnesota? - Football Wires - MiamiHerald.com

Sixers' Holiday invited to USA Basketball mini-camp

PHILADELPHIA, PA. –  Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday was announced by USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo as one of 27 players confirmed to attend the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s National Team mini-camp which will be held July 22-25 at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

“The group of players we have assembled for the mini-camp are extremely talented and very versatile,” said Colangelo.  “This is an important opportunity for each one of them because we will be evaluating which players will continue to be involved in future USA National Team training camps and teams.”

Holiday, who turned 23-years-old today, was a member of the 2012 USA Basketball Select Team that helped prepare the U.S. Olympic Team last summer.  He also competed for the USA Basketball Junior National Select Team as a high school senior in the annual Nike Hoop Summit in 2008.

This past season, Holiday averaged career-highs of 17.7 points, 8.0 assists and 4.2 rebounds and was named to his first All-Star Game, becoming the youngest player in franchise history to achieve that honor.  He was the only player in the league to average at least 17.0 points and 8.0 assists in 2012-13 and just the second player in franchise history to hit those averages in a single season (Wilt Chamberlain in 1967-68).

Soul bring back WR Sammons

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul announced the assignment of WR Emery Sammons for the remainder of the 2013 season.

Sammons, heading into his fourth season, was a member of the 2012 Soul who won the American Conference Champion and appeared in ArenaBowl XXV.

"We need to make sure we have depth at all positions on our team," explain Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. "We've been hit with injuries this season, so Emery allows us to have strong depth at that position. We look forward to incorporating him and his talents into our game plan."

Sammons, a native of Willingboro, NJ, caught 48 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns for the Soul in 2012. Prior to the Soul, he played two seasons with the Spokane Shock, where he won the ArenaBowl in 2010. Sammons has a career total of 133 catches for 1,571 and 19 touchdowns.

Before the AFL, Sammons was part of the Manchester Wolves (2008-09) in the af2.  In 2009, he was named to the All-af2 team with 102 receptions, 1,146 yards, and 26 touchdowns.  In 2007, Sammons was invited to two mini-camps with the Philadelphia Eagles and was part of the preseason roster for both the Soul and the New York Dragons.

Sammons played his collegiate football for the Norfolk State Spartans (2004-06) and was one of the team's main offensive weapons.  Sammons is second in receiving yards (1,220) at Norfolk State since 1970.

Live from Merion: experts talk playing conditions and Tiger

On Predicting Playing Conditions and Scoring:

Brandel Chamblee (@BrandelChamblee):  “Nobody really has a sense of how this golf course is going to play, and players, media and everyone, alike, doesn’t have any sense of what the players are going to shoot.”

On Tiger Woods:

Frank Nobilo (@FrankNobiloGC):  “While he has been inconsistent, sometimes it’s like criticizing the smile on the Mona Lisa – is it perfect, is it not.  There’s two sides to every coin.”

On Merion Golf Club:

David B. Fay (former USGA executive director):  “It’s been said that Merion proved that whatever else she is, she ain’t no lady.”

Frank Nobilo:  “It’s perfectly unbalanced.”

On USGA’s choice of U.S. Open Courses:

David B. Fay:  “There was a time – and I don’t think the USGA ever openly admitted it – that it was really fixated on the score.  I think that sort of slipped away a bit with Tiger’s performance in 2000 at Pebble Beach and it was punctuated by Rory’s performance.”

Former Philly scribe Greenberg selected to Hockey Hall of Fame

TORONTO, ON -- The National Hockey League's Broadcasters’ Association announced on Tuesday that Jay Greenberg will receive the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism.

Greenberg's first NHL writing experience was at the Kansas City Star, covering the city's ill-fated KC Scouts during its inaugural season of 1974-75. The Johnstown, Pennsylvania native then covered the Philadelphia Flyers for 14 years for the Daily News.

His renowned copy skills and in-depth analysis of the team produced an avid readership, and led to several non-fiction books focused on the Flyers. Full Spectrum, one of the most complete histories of a team ever done, was published in 1996.

Greenberg's 40-year writing career has also included a high profile post at Sports Illustrated, a featured column in The Hockey News, and general sports columnist roles at both the Toronto Sun and New York Post.

"During the prime of Jay's career, he was probably the best NHL beat writer in America," said USA Today's Kevin Allen, who also serves as the national president of the Professional Hockey Writer's Association. "He was both a gifted writer and a thorough reporter. It was a treat to read his NHL coverage."

Greenberg will receive his award at a luncheon presentation in Toronto on Monday, November 11.

Former Flyer Quinn returns to Philadelphia...but on the golf course

Surprise news late this evening, from Howard Eskin of Fox 29.

Dan Quinn, who spent 14 years in the NHL with multiple teams, including two stints for the Flyers in the 90s, has returned to the Delaware Valley as the caddy for Ernie Els as the South African plays Merion later this week.

The 48-year-old Canadian had served as a part-time caddy for Els since 2009, but was bumped up to full-time status at the outset of 2013. He is set to accompany Els for at least 10 tournaments this year. Both men are residents of Jupiter, Florida -- a town on the Atlantic Ocean also serving as home base for former Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt.

Quinn, an avid golfer who perfected his game over hundreds of rounds during his time spent in Pittsburgh alongside friend and teammate Mario Lemieux, dressed in Orange and Black for the 1991-92 season as well as the end of the 1995-96 campaign.

He totaled 18 goals and 40 assists in 102 regular-season appearances, with one goal and five points in the '96 postseason.

Six Union players on MLS All-Stra ballot

Chester, Pa.– Major League Soccer launched fan voting for the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at www.MLSsoccer.com and via text messaging on Monday.

The Philadelphia Union’s nominees include: goalkeeper Zac MacMath, defender Jeff Parke, defender Amobi Okugo, defender Sheanon Williams, forward Sebastien Le Toux (League leader in assists with six) and forward Jack McInerney (League leader in goals scored with 10).

A panel of media members nominated a total of 115 players to the fan ballot. Fans may vote online at www.mlssoccer.com/ballot. Fans can also vote by sending a player’s last name via text message to 22442. Twitter voting will occur June 20-21.

The 10 players with the highest combined votes from these three voting methods will be named to the All-Star Fan XI.

The 11th player – a forward – on the Fan XI will be decided after the general voting window closes on July 2, as part of the AT&T MLS All-Star ‘In the Game’ Challenge. Among remaining forwards on the ballot, the player with whom fans score the most goals in EA SPORTS™ FIFA Soccer 13 Ultimate Team from July 3-July 10 will be named to the Fan XI.

All-Star Head Coach Peter Vermes of Sporting Kansas City will choose the game day roster and the starting lineup against AS Roma on July 31. The first marquee MLS event to be held at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, will be broadcast live on ESPN2, UniMas, and in Canada on TSN and RDS, starting at 9 p.m. ET

A total of 32 All-Stars are named each year, per the collective bargaining agreement. Media, fans, players, the All-Star coach and MLS Commissioner Don Garber all contribute in the All-Star selection process.

Video: Mean Tweets: the NBA edition

'The Doctpr' to debut on NBA TV

Tonight, NBA TV will premier the highly anticipated 90-minute documentary, The Doctor, starting at 9:00 PM EST. Take a look back at the storied playing career, the triumphs, and challenges of one of the game's most influential players, former Sixers superstar Julius Erving.

Soul rally to top VooDoo

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul rallied in the second half to win against the New Orleans VooDoo, 65-56, in front of 8,035 fans at the Wells Fargo Center this weekend.  The Soul (6-5) erased a 14-point deficit in the second half to pull out the win in the final seconds against the VooDoo (2-9).  

"I have to give credit to New Orleans," said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel.  "They played a great game.  However, this game is 60 minutes.  We were able to fight back in the second half and come out with the win.  Our defense was able to make some big stops and we were able to capitalize on the turnovers.  I'm proud of my team and how they performed tonight."

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game Tiger Jones led Philadelphia receivers with 12 receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown. Andrae Thurman had eight catches for 67 yards, while Ryan McDaniel recorded seven receptions for 57 yards and two touchdowns.

Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh connected on 30-of-42 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns.

On the ground, FB Derrick Ross rushed for 37 yards and four touchdowns.

DB Rayshaun Kizer recorded five tackles and three pass breakups. DL Bryan Robinson had a sack and a forced fumble on the night and Riddell Defensive Player of the Game LB Brandon Perkins had a tackle and a 35-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.

New Orleans's QB Kurt Rocco connected on 16-of-30 passes for 301 yards and seven touchdowns.  J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game WR Donovan Morgan led the VooDoo receivers with six catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns.  WR Courtney Smith had 55 yards and three touchdowns.  DB Dwight McClean led the defense with 11 tackles.

The VooDoo outscored the Soul in the first quarter, scoring in the air on a 39-yard touchdown catch by WR Donovan Morgan and a 13-yard touchdown catch by WR Courtney Smith.  The Soul scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by FB Derrick Ross, and trailed New Orleans, 14-7, at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter was a high-scoring quarter, as both teams scored four touchdowns.  New Orleans scored on a 1-yard run by QB Kurt Rocco, a 23-yard catch by WR LJ Castille, a 28-yard catch for Morgan's second touchdown on the night, and a 4-yard catch for Smith's second touchdown on the night that earned Cutter's Catch of the Game.  Philadelphia scored on a 35-yard catch by WR Tiger Jones, a 7-yard run by Ross for his second score on the night that earned Spalding Highlight of the Game, and WR Ryan McDaniel scored twice on a 4-yard catch and a 3-yard catch in the final seconds of the first half.  The second quarter ended with New Orleans in the lead, 42-35.

Both teams opened up the second half with touchdowns, as New Orleans scored on a 4-yard catch by Smith and Philadelphia scored on a 3-yard run by Ross.  The Soul defense was able to score on a turnover, when LB Brandon Perkins returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown.  The Soul failed to convert on the extra point.  The third quarter ended with the Soul trailing, 49-48.

The VooDoo extended their lead in the fourth, scoring on a 28-yard catch by Castille.  The Soul were able to bring the deficit to one, after scoring on a 9-yard catch by OL Jason Jones.  The Soul forced another turnover to get the ball back on a fumble recovery by LB Joe Goosby.  With :05 left in the fourth quarter, the Soul scored on a 1-yard run by Ross, and converted for two points to put the Soul up seven.  The Philadelphia defense stopped New Orleans while getting a safety, ending the game with Philadelphia winning, 65-56.

The Philadelphia Soul will be travel to Pittsburgh next week to face the Power on Saturday, June 15 at 7 p.m. ET.  The game will be aired on the Comcast Network.  

Russell Athletic Offensive Player: Philadelphia WR Tiger Jones

Riddell Defensive Player: Philadelphia LB Brandon Perkins

J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: New Orleans WR Donovan Morgan

Cutter's Catch of the Game: New Orleans WR Courtney Smith TD catch

Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia FB Derrick Ross 7-yard touchdown run

Around the Rink: Ixnay on the Eaver-bay Edition

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor 

Although hockey fans and writers have discussed this possibility from the moment the National Hockey League announced it would introduce the Winter Classic into its regular-season schedule more than five years ago, it suddenly became news again yesterday, that Beaver Stadium at Penn State is interested in hosting outdoor hockey.

With a capacity of more than 100,000 it's a no-brainer for the fifth-tier sport in America to try and once again goose its overall and average attendance numbers by holding yet another open-air battle.

Its central location in Pennsylvania makes it a stone-cold lock for speculation to run rampant over a Penguins-Flyers battle, though the Sabres are in the mix as well -- owing to the fact that Buffalo owner Terry Pegula is the one who jettisoned a small portion of his wealth in order to create a legitimate D-I program in Happy Valley along with a state-of-the-art arena to bear his name, which opens this Fall.

In case you don't feel like looking it up, it's approximately 195 miles from Buffalo to State College, 137 miles from Pittsburgh to Penn State and 190 miles from Philadelphia to the edge of the Commonwealth's main land grant campus.

While the prospect of seeing the NHL's bellwether rivalry on neutral ground, elbow-to-elbow with a small city's worth of friends and enemies, had me lit up like a Christmas Tree back in 2007, six years hence, the idea leaves me cold. Pun intended.

Outdoor games, and the trademarked "Winter Classic" carry with it not only the experience of watching pro hockey exposed to the elements and on a bigger stage, but also the thrill of a road trip that's an actual destination. Part of the allure for the partisan fan is visiting new cities like Buffalo, Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. OK, so Orchard Park -- but Buffalo and Niagara Falls are close by. The other four cities offer more than just a hockey game before and after. What does State College bring to the table, save a larger area with which to park an RV and tailgate, for the traveller?

The NHL's decision to award the next New Year's Day game to Ann Arbor and then discussing another game in yet another college town stands in direct contrast to the NCAA's recent efforts to hold its Frozen Four in NHL-level arenas in order to increase exposure. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

There are tons of Penn State alumni who can claim either PA club as their favorite. Nonetheless, what's the incentive for the Flyers or Penguins fan who is not an alumnus/alumna, and uninterested in reliving their hazy, boozy college days to make any more of an effort to see the game than driving up the night before, staying within driving distance of the stadium, then heading home afterwards? It seems like an awful waste of money and resources since the cost of an NHL ticket is prohibitive anyway, much less one or more for a special occasion such as this held on terra incognita.

Even as ridiculous as it seems to want to hold outdoor games in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, there's still an entire entertainment package for the hockey tourist which can bracket game attendance, making a once-in-a-lifetime journey wholly worthwhile. Though everyone knows there's nothing to do in the Bronx once the Devils-Islanders-Rangers are finished at Yankee Stadium, the thrill of all New York offers is a short subway ride away. You simply don't get that in State College, even with the ease of a compromise location.

Warning: my biases, of which my readers should be aware by now, are going to show through with the following passage.

Should Penn State manage to snag an outdoor college game, and if, on the off chance the university manages to snag a national powerhouse like Boston College, Boston University, Notre Dame or Michigan as its opponent as has been reported, I'm not going as fan or credentialed writer. But if you would in a heartbeat, I don't begrudge that opinion.

It's an exponentially easier and smoother drive -- not to mention more than two hours shorter -- from Philly to Centre County (Blue Route to Northeast Extension to I-80 to I-99) as it is from here to Boston (as those who have ever dodged New York drivers and traversed Connecticut on I-95 and I-84 over the last decade can attest), but there's already going to be another edition of Frozen Fenway this January, featuring a better level of D-I hockey in an outdoor setting which is cozier and more welcoming than sitting in a six-digit behemoth in the middle of nowhere.

Taking outdoor games at either the college or NHL level to its logical extreme, and holding them in venues like Beaver Stadium or Michigan Stadium which are more suitable for gathering when a visiting Pontiff holds Mass, strips them of the communal hockey experience that intimate venues like old ballparks and smaller football venues provide. The sheer numbers may be mind-blowing, but the vibe is lost.

Besides, are there even close to 100,000 college hockey fans in all of Pennsylvania? My bet is not enough to cover the gap left over from the other school's fan base. 

I'd strongly suggest to the NHL that any future outdoor game involving the Penguins and Flyers to be held in either member city. I'll advocate that Penguins and Flyers fans put aside their mutual disrespect for each other and their respective locales, and travel to either Pittsburgh or Philly and soak in what each has to offer the traveler -- rather than potentially turning into the Iron City-and-Yuengling-soaked version of the Jets and Sharks played out on neutral ground.

Notre Dame will be joining a perennially strong Hockey East this season, so if you want to see what serious, established Division I hockey brings to the table, head to Chestnut Hill, Providence, Lowell or Burlington instead. If you want to wait a bit longer, lay out some extra ducats to come here in April for the national semifinals and finals where there's a guarantee of top-flight college competition and meet true dedicated, knowledgeable fans.

Penn State's time is not now, but soon. Let the university grow the program long enough where the pull is not just attending a game in the Nittany Lions' football stadium, but that Penn State hockey has a damn good chance against a national powerhouse.

Anything you can do, they can do better...except think of a cool team name

Earlier in the week, I put this question to my small legion of Twitter followers: Suppose that a women's NHL was created and Philadelphia was picked to be one of the inaugural franchises. What would you like to see as the name of the new team?

The idea germinated during the second lockout eight years ago, when, in a fit of boredom, I created a possible eight-team WNHL to replace the idiocy of the league and union when it looked like the 2004-05 season would be canceled. I can't remember which name I gave the Philly franchise, but the thought popped back into my head under a blazing sun last Saturday in Moorestown while reffing a charity roller hockey tournament.

As the saying goes, ask a stupid question...

Number one on the list was "Liberty Belles," followed by Belles, Spirit, Liberties, Gaz'ers, Keystones, Devils' Pockets, Byngers, Whores, Bully Broads, Lady Skaters, Rockford Peaches, and Frozen Skirts.

I then turned to CSN's Sarah Baicker -- herself an ice hockey player who skates for multiple teams in the region, including the Philadelphia Freeze. Her first inclination? The Philadelphia Fillies, and when pressed for a serious answer, was unable to provide one at posting time.

Needless to say, I'm very disappointed in everyone. Sure, you want something that evokes the spirit of the region without being overtly sexist or too gender neutral, but that's it?

Just off the top of my head, how about Smash, Concordes, Fox, Rage, Huskies, Angels? Yeah, Freeze sounds damn good, too.

Cup dreams and crushing reality

Three years ago yesterday, thousands of Flyers fans, most of them under the age of 40, woke up with the best feeling most of them had ever encountered in watching playoff hockey.

With a 5-3 win in Game 4 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals on home ice, they drew even with the Blackhawks at two games apiece heading back to Chicago for Game 5.

It's significant given this fact: since winning their back-to-back Cups in 1974 and '75, the Flyers have found themselves repeatedly behind the 8-ball in their quest for a third championship.

In 1976, they were swept by the Canadiens. Four years later, they were down 1-3 to the Islanders, then faced similar long odds against the Edmonton Oilers in both 1985 and 1987, then were swept by the Red Wings in '97.

This team which had to pull itself together just to make the playoffs on the last day of the regular season provided a momentary jolt of electricity for thousands of eager supporters. Even after losing a largely defense-less 7-4 decision at Chicago in Game 5, no reason to think they couldn't pull it together at home for Game 6...

 

Eagles sign DT Logan

PHILADELPHIA - The Eagles have signed their 2013 third-round draft selection,  defensive tackle Bennie Logan to a four-year contract.

A 2012 All-SEC second-team selection by the Associated Press, Logan (6-foot-2, 309) was a key contributor on one of the nation’s top defensive line units at LSU, tallying 107 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and five sacks during his three-year career.

Logan, 23, appeared in all 13 games (12 starts) as a junior in 2012 and recorded 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two blocked field goals and three pass breakups for a defense that ranked in the top 10 in the country in run defense (ninth) and total defense (eighth).

A leader on and off of the field, Logan was selected to wear the number “18” in 2012, an honor that is presented by the LSU coaches, training staff and equipment staff to a player who possesses a selfless attitude, quality leadership and good character. A native of Coushatta, LA, Logan was a four-year starter at Red River High School and earned District 3-2A Defensive MVP and 2A first-team honors as a senior after registering 116 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss and 15 sacks

Union dominate Crew

Chester, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union earned a 3-0 victory against the Columbus Crew Wednesday night at PPL Park behind first-half goals from Brian Carroll, Sheanon Williams and Conor Casey.

“We were due one of these games,” said Union manager John Hackworth postgame. “Our coaching staff felt like [this] was going to happen one way or another, sooner or later. Glad it happened in a game as important as this one. You get a little bit of a break now and maybe that gets a little bit of pressure off us.”

The Union (6-5-4, 22 points) scored three goals in a six minute span as Carroll, Williams and Casey all found the back of the net. It was Carroll who struck first in the 25th minute with a blistering shot from just above the 18-yard-box that took a deflection off Crew defender Eric Gehrig. Four minutes later, Williams netted his first goal of the season with a beautiful side volley to finish off a great flick by Carroll that began with a great ball in from Le Toux.

It was Le Toux who would provide the helper on the third and final goal too, after his ball in from the right side found the head of Casey in the 31st minute.

With his pair of helpers, Le Toux has found his role change from goal scorer to provider, but in doing so the Frenchman has also taken the league lead in assists this season with six. In all, the Union own MLS’ top two stats with forward Jack McInerney holding down the high for goals (10).

“[Sebastien] did so much work, but he always does that,” Hackworth said. “I know that I have said that Sebastien is going to be so important to our club. In times when he wasn’t playing as much our coaching staff, locker room, everybody knew how important he still was, the role he had to play for us to be successful. It’s great for him. He always brings it and he certainly did tonight.”

It was a complete match with the fort being held down defensively both individually and as a unit. Union manager John Hackworth lauded what he described as a “complete team defensive effort.”

"It’s the goal every game [to play sound defensively], but tonight I thought we did a very good job of it,” said defender Jeff Parke. “The whole group came together, made it compact and made it hard for the opposition to come at us…we handled them out wide and through the middle and to be honest I think they only had like one or two chances tonight.”

The final stat sheet showed Columbus (4-5-5, 17 points) with just four chances on frame, all of which were handled easily by Union keeper Zac MacMath who earned his fourth shutout of the season.

The Union have a two week break from MLS play, but will stay active with games against PDL affiliate Reading United Friday (7 p.m.), a trip to Boyds, Md. for fourth round U.S. Open Cup play against D.C. United on June 12 (7 p.m.) followed by a trip to take one USL affiliate Harrisburg (7 p.m.).

Then it’s a return to league play against bitter rival the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, June 23 at PPL Park (5 p.m., ESPN).

BOX SCORE

Philadelphia Union 3, Columbus Crew 0

Wednesday, June 5; 7:30 p.m. ET

PPL Park, Chester, Pa.



SCORING SUMMARY

PHI: Carroll 25’

PHI: Williams 29’ (Carroll)

PHI: Casey 31’ (Le Toux)



DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

PHI: Gaddis 59’

CLB: Tchani 75’

UNION STARTING 11

MacMath, Williams, Okugo, Parke, Gaddis, Carroll, Cruz (Torres 82’), Daniel, Le Toux (Wheeler 90’), McInerney, Casey (Hoppenot 72’).

CREW STARTING 11

Gruenebaum, Wahl (George 45’), Glauber Berti, Gehrig, Tchani, Speas (Schoenfeld 45’), Sanchez, Meram (Anor 76’), Higuain, Oduro

The goaltending carousel continues: Niittymaki returns to Flyers as a scout

Some ex-Flyers eventually return to the club while in the late prime of their careers, while others return to the fold once their playing days are over to serve the franchise which shepherded them into the NHL.

Antero Niittymaki falls into the latter category, as the club announced on Wednesday that the Finnish national and former goaltender will re-join the Orange and Black as a scout.

The 32-year-old played for TPS Turku in the SM-liiga this past season, though put up unimpressive numbers of 1-7-3 with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage over 34 games. He last faced North American competition in 2011-12, going just 4-8-0 split between Springfield and Worcester of the American Hockey League.

“We believe Antero's understanding of the game will make him a good all around scout," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said upon announcing the move.

Niittymaki is set to work in Europe, and will be mentored by another former Flyer from Finland, long-time organizational scout Ilkka Sinisalo.

“I had a few opportunities to coach at home here [in Finland] but I don’t think I’m that kind of person. I’m not a coach. I don’t feel like I’m the right person for coaching. I said no to all of those opportunities and I kept coming back to scouting," Niittymaki admitted to a Flyers insider.

Niittymaki made his NHL debut in February of 2004, beating the Washington Capitals in his first career start, then backstopped the Philadelphia Phantoms to their second and last Calder Cup title in 2005 -- winning the Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP.

Once the NHL returned later that Fall, he switched back and forth between starter and backup with Robert Esche, then was the primary crease guardian for the disastrous 2006-07 season, and became backup once more upon the acquisition of Martin Biron. Hip injuries hindered his progress, and he was dealt to Tampa Bay in 2009 and moved to San Jose the following season.

All told, the former sixth-round pick from 1998 and man who famously had Chicago gangster Frank Nitti painted on his mask finished his Philadelphia tenure at 62-62-22, with a 3.01 GAA and save percentage just over 90 percent.

I always liked it there [in Philadelphia],” Niittymaki added. “I had a great seven years there. I kind of grew up with the organization in the minors and then got a chance in the NHL. I was able to kind of get my name out there with the Flyers and I always felt that was my team. That organization was closest to me. I like the way the organization works and all the people there and everything about it. It’s where I always wanted to be. To have a chance to work with them, I love that. I never even thought about calling anybody else.”

Former Eagle Will Wynn passes away

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles announced the passing of former defensive end Will Wynn, who died Tuesday, June 4 at the age of 64 of heart failure at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. Wynn is survived by his wife, Tina, and five children.

Wynn played 54 games for the Eagles from 1973-76 before finishing his NFL career with Washington in 1977. Wynn, a seventh-round selection from Tennessee State, recorded 8 fumble recoveries for 119 return yards and 2 touchdowns in his Eagles career, which included 27 starts.

He was a 6-foot-4, 245-pounder who played with a joy of the game, just as he had a joy for life beyond the game of football.

“He was one of the fastest defensive linemen I have ever seen and he played the game hard,” said former teammate Harold Carmichael, now the Eagles’ director of player programs. “He was just a great guy. He loved living in Philadelphia and being part of the community. The fans loved him and he loved them. It’s a big loss.”

“When I first met him we hit it off and became very close. We shared a lot of very close personal matters and we were great friends,” said former Eagles defensive end Greg Brown. “We did so much together – a lot of volunteer things like going out to West Chester and passing out baskets at Thanksgiving – and Will was just that. He was that kind of person.”

Jaylen Bond coming to Temple

PHILADELPHIA - Former Plymouth Whitemarsh standout Jaylen Bond, who played the last two seasons at the University of Texas, has signed a men's basketball scholarship agreement to attend Temple University. 

The Longhorn transfer will sit out the 2013-14 season per NCAA rules and have two years of eligibility remaining starting with the 2014-15 season.

“Jaylen is an excellent addition to the Temple Basketball program," said Temple head coach Fran Dunphy. "He is a fine young man from a good family. We are looking forward to tremendous things from him during his Temple career.”

The 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward played in 54 games at Texas, starting seven times.  He averaged 3.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 13.8 minutes while shooting 50.7 percent (73-144) from the field.  He scored in double figures three times with career highs of 18 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Nicholls State (12/13/11).   He followed that game with a 12-point, 8-rebound effort in a 77-65 win over Temple in Austin (12/17/11).

At Plymouth Whitemarsh he averaged 19 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 assists as a senior. Bond's 1,608 career points rank second on Plymouth Whitemarsh's all-time list behind 2005 graduate Thomas Young's 1,641.

Eagles' Williams preaches on life outside of football

By John McMullen,

Philadelphia - Organized team activities are described as "voluntary" in the NFL.

Of course if you are a bubble player or a rookie free agent trying to catch a coach's eye, those "voluntary activities" quickly morph into mandatory ones, sort of like being "on time" to a Tom Coughlin meeting means getting there 10 minutes early.

The NFL's collective bargaining agreement forbids teams from ordering players to attend these offseason workouts but attendance sure is impressive throughout the league, and when players don't show, it's a story in the local media.

A few Philadelphia Eagles have had high-profile absences during their OTAs and veteran left tackle Jason Peters and free agent cornerback Cary Williams were both a little ornery when asked about their recent absences at the team's mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

"It's a personal issue," the massive Peters, who missed all of last season after tearing his Achilles twice, said as he stared down a reporter. "I'm not talking about that. I'm healthy and I'm here to practice."

Williams, who signed a three-year, $17 million contract with the Eagles this offseason after winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, took a different tact when explaining his spotty attendance record, one which included "excused" absences for getting married, dental work, real estate (he's building a new house) and a recital for his daughter.

"It's a transition," Williams explained when talking about joining a new team. "There is life outside of football and I am trying to balance work and my free time. I'm sorry I wasn't here during OTAs. You want me to do that during the season? We don't have any days of during the season, except for Tuesday."

Williams seemed particularly upset about some media members questioning whether attending his 3-year-old daughter's recital was a prudent decision.

"If I was a guy that had three kids with three different women and I was a womanizer, you'd be reporting that," Williams said. "Now I'm a guy that wants to go see his girl's recital and I'm a bad guy. Like, come on, man.

"I grew up as a kid who didn't have two parents in a household. I definitely take pride in being a father and a husband. I take pride in being there for my daughter because I didn't have that when I was younger."

The fans in Philly, one of football's most ravenous media markets, don't necessarily see their warriors on Sunday as ordinary people with everyday problems though.

"It's just funny. I mean, fans, I love y'all, but jeez, give me a break," Williams said.

At the end of the day, though,  it's not about how the media or fans feel about Williams, it's about Chip Kelly and whether Philadelphia's new coach thinks his high-priced cornerback is doing everything he needs to do in order to be a part of a revamped secondary which could include four new starters.

"I don't want to sound like it's disrespect. I love my job," Williams said. "I'm sorry people make such a big deal about something that's so small."

On one hand you can see Williams' point. A veteran, even one who is with a new team, will have plenty of time to get things down in training camp. Conversely, it's also about leadership and setting an example to the younger players in an organization. It's a tight rope every NFL veteran walks and one Williams has had trouble navigating so far.

"I haven't gotten in trouble in years," he stated. "I've learned my lessons. I've been through so much scrutiny in previous years and things like that. If I was doing something negative, then report it. I'm not doing anything negative. I'm just trying to be a great dad, I'm just trying to be a great family man. I'm just trying to live my life outside of football. Life happens."

And so do minicamps -- mandatory ones.

This week Williams was forced to turn down an invitation to attend the Ravens' scheduled White House visit on Wednesday -- the second day of Philadelphia's minicamp.

"It just so happens (minicamp) fell on a day that the Ravens are going to see the President. it's not necessarily a big deal, but I wish I was there. I just have to deal with what I have to deal with."

NHL, NHLPA agree on new visor rule

Toronto, ON -- The National Hockey League and its Players' Association have agreed to new rules regarding the implementation of visors.

Beginning next season, all players who enter the league will be required to wear a visor, while those with at least 26 games of NHL experience to their credit will have the option on whether or not to attach the extra protection to their headgear.

The accord was struck following a meeting of the league's competition committee on Tuesday.
This new agreement is similar to the one made between both sides back in 1979 regarding the use of helmets, where all players who entered the NHL for the 1979-80 season were required to use one and all remaining players were not required to do so.

In addition, Sportsnet of Canada revealed that the penalty for engaging in a fight while wearing a visor will be altered.

As reported back in March at the GM meetings, roughly 73 percent of NHL players wear some sort of facial protection, and every player who has entered the league has played with some sort of protection before.

The NHLPA said it planned to poll its membership this summer to see if mandatory visor usage has gained more traction than it did the last time the subject was broached four years ago.

Back then, only 30 percent of the membership wanted grandfathering of visors, and that number has jumped significantly according to NHLPA special assistant to the executive director Mathieu Schneider, who declined to give a specific percentage. Reports have stated it to be greater than 80 percent at this point.

In other meaningful discussions, the competition committee agreed to test hybrid icing during the preseason with an option to continue testing in the regular season; recommended that the depth of nets be reduced by four inches; have the NHL and NHLPA create a separate committee to investigate the size of player and goaltender equipment; and subject all double-minor penalties for high sticking to video review

As is custom, all recommendations and agreements will have to go before the Board of Governors, who are next set to meet later this month.

Eagles announce training camp sked

The Philadelphia Eagles announced their training camp schedule today, featuring five training camp practices at Lincoln Financial Field that will be free and open to the public. There will be additional private practices held at the NovaCare Complex that will be open to a limited number of Eagles season ticket holders randomly selected from every section of the stadium.

“We are very excited to hold training camp in Philadelphia this summer,” said Eagles President Don Smolenski. “We organized the practice schedule at Lincoln Financial Field to begin in late July and run throughout the entire month of August so that our fans and their families would have opportunities to come and see the team up close.”

Tickets to the five training camp practices at Lincoln Financial Field will be made available to the public on Tuesday, June 18 at 2 pm. Fans can obtain tickets at that time by visiting www.philadelphiaeagles.com, Ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Seating will be general admission by section, with an 8-ticket limit per practice.

“We are opening up the lower bowl first for fan seating and will open up additional seats as needed,” said Smolenski. “We want this to be a fun atmosphere for our fans and can’t wait to feel their energy as we get ready for the regular season.”

In addition, the Eagles will be holding joint practices with the New England Patriots at the NovaCare Complex from August 6-7 prior to their preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 9. This will be the first time the Eagles have held joint practices with another team during training camp since 1998 when the Eagles held a scrimmage and two joint practices with the Buffalo Bills at Lehigh University. Season ticket holders will be randomly invited to attend these practices as well.

Other Lincoln Financial Field Practice Information

·         Parking - Parking for practices at Lincoln Financial Field will be free with lots opening three hours prior to the start of practice (9:30 am).

·         Entry to stadium - The HeadHouse Plaza will open before practice at 10:30 am and the interior gates will open at 11:30 am. All fans should enter the stadium through the Northeast and Xfinity gates only.

·         Concessions - Concessions will be available inside the stadium. Alcoholic beverages will not be sold.

Dom Brown wins NL Player of the Week once more, and Player of the Month

The rewards just keep on coming for Dom Brown.

Brown earned his second consecutive Player of the Week honor after leading the Major Leagues with seven home runs, 13 RBI, 35 total bases and a 1.296 slugging percentage.

The 25-year-old Brown also ranked among N.L. leaders with eight runs scored (T-1st), 12 hits (3rd), a .444 (12-for-27) batting average (5th) and a .483 on-base percentage (7th) while adding a triple and a pair of stolen bases.

Brown hit homers in three consecutive games to start the week, clubbing solo shots in a 9-3 loss at Boston on Monday and a 3-1 win over the Sox on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the young slugger hit two blasts, helping the Phillies edge the Red Sox in the first game of their two-game series at Citizens Bank Park. On Friday, Brown tied a career-best with four RBI and posted his second multi-homer game of the week in a losing effort as the Phillies dropped an 8-5 decision to the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. In Sunday's series finale, the fourth-year veteran tied a career high with three hits and notched another four-RBI game, leading the way to a 7-5 victory.

The Florida native added an RBI triple in the second inning to collect his 40th RBI of the season and stake Philadelphia starter Cliff Lee an early 7-0 lead. This marks the second career weekly award for Brown following last week's honors. He becomes the first Phillies player in Club history to earn the award in consecutive weeks and the first to win twice in the same season since Chase Utley accomplished the feat (May 1-7, 2006 and July 24-30, 2006).

And not to be outdone, Brown was tabbed the top player in the Senior Circuit for the second full month of the 2013 season.

In 28 games last month, Brown led the National League with 12 home runs and 25 RBI, tying Miguel Cabrera for the Major League lead in homers while ranking fourth overall in RBI. The Florida native also led the Senior Circuit with 89 total bases which was good for third in the Majors.

Brown slugged .688 during the month of May, the second-highest mark in the N.L., while posting a .303 (33-for-109) batting average. The left-handed-hitting slugger became the first player in Major League history to hit at least 10 home runs in a calendar month without a walk. He is the first Phillie to eclipse 12 homers in a single month since Ryan Howard clubbed 14 in August 2006 en route to claiming the N.L. MVP award.

Brown capped his stellar May with his 12th multi-hit effort of the month in Friday's series-opener with the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park, going 2-for-4 with two homers and 4 RBI in an 8-5 loss. It was his second multi-homer performance in three days after clubbing a pair in Philadelphia's May 29th victory over Boston. In that outing, Brown's second homer of the day, a solo shot in the eighth inning, proved to be the difference in a 4-3 win. It was one of three game-winning RBI he had for the month. Brown homered, doubled and drove in two runs in the middle game of a three-game set in Washington on May 25th. In that contest, Philadelphia's 20th round pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft joined catcher Erik Kratz in clubbing back-to-back solo shots in the top of the second inning to give the Phillies an early 2-0 lead.

His RBI double in the eighth inning provided insurance to the Phillies bullpen as they shut the door on Washington for a 5-3 win. This is the first career monthly award for the 25-year-old, who is the first Phillies player to win Player of the Month honors since Ryan Howard was voted the winner for August of 2009.

M&T Bank Stadium to host 2015 Penn State-Maryland game

The University of Maryland will play Penn State y at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on Oct. 24, 2015, the Big 10 announced Monday.

“We are excited that M&T Bank Stadium will be the site of the 2015 Maryland-Penn State game,” Ravens team president Dick Cass stated. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the city of Baltimore to host two outstanding teams that are strongly rooted in this region.

“This is another special event that we are bringing to Baltimore, and as these events continue to succeed, we will remain committed to holding them at M&T Bank Stadium.”

Arizona rally ends Soul winning streak

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Soul lost in the closing seconds of the game against the Arizona Rattlers, 64-57, in front of 7,027 fans at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday.  The Soul (5-5) surrendered a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter to Arizona (10-1) after a dominating defensive performance.

“We did a lot of good things today both offensively and defensively,” explained Soul head coach Clint Dolezel.  “I’m proud of my team.  They fought back and did everything they could.  I’m proud of my team as a whole and I know we did a good job today.  Our job is to win. We just need to capitalize when we put our team in position to win.”

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game Tiger Jones led Philadelphia receivers with eight receptions for 171 yards and four touchdowns. Andrae Thurman had seven catches for 70 yards, while Ryan McDaniel recorded five receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh connected on 20-of-33 passes for 308 yards and six touchdowns.

On the ground, FB Derrick Ross finished the game with 10 rushing yards.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game DB Rayshaun Kizer recorded 12 tackles and a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown. DB LaRico Stevenson had 7.5 tackles on the night and an interception, while DL Bryan Robinson had 2.5 tackles, a half-sack, and a blocked kick that he returned for two points.

Arizona’s QB Nick Davila connected on 28-of-48 passes for 362 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.  WR Rod Windsor led the Rattlers’ receivers with two touchdowns on eight catches for 111 yards.  J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game Odie Armstrong had seven yards and three touchdowns.  DB Virgil Gray led the defense with 7.5 tackles.

Arizona opened the game with two touchdowns, after two big stops defensive stops against the Soul offense.  The Rattlers scored on a 26-yard touchdown catch by WR Rod Windsor, which won Cutters Catch of the Game, and a 2-yard run by FB Odie Armstrong.  Philadelphia answered the Rattlers by scoring on a 7-yard catch by WR Tiger Jones, closing the first quarter with Arizona in the lead, 14-7.

Both teams opened the second quarter with touchdown passes, as Arizona WR Tyson Poots scored on a 9-yard catch and Jones on a 45-yard catch.  The Soul brought their deficit to one after an interception returned for a touchdown by LB Joe Goosby.  After another Poots score, DL Bryan Robinson earned the AFL Highlight of the Game when he blocked the extra point and returned it for two points, putting the Soul down five.  The Soul took the lead on an 18-yard catch by WR Ryan McDaniel.  The first half ended with the Soul in the lead, 29-27.  

Both teams scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, with the Soul finishing the quarter in the lead 43-42.  Philadelphia scored on a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by DB Rayshaun Kizer and a 30-yard touchdown catch by Jones.  Arizona scored on a 2-yard run by Armstrong, who also ran in the two-point conversion, and a 14-yard touchdown catch by WR Kerry Reed.

The Soul extended their lead in the fourth with two unanswered touchdowns, scoring on a 15-yard touchdown by McDaniel and a 32-yard touchdown by Jones.  The Rattlers pulled within seven after a 4-yard touchdown pass to Windsor and converting for two.  With less than a minute remaining, Arizona tied up the game on a 1-yard run by Armstrong.  After a late interception in the end zone by Arizona, the Rattlers drove down the field and scored on a 1-yard run by QB Nick Davila to win the game.

The Philadelphia Soul will be host the New Orleans VooDoo on Saturday, June 8 at 7:05 p.m. ET.  The game will be aired on the Comcast Network. 

Russell Athletic Offensive Player: Philadelphia’s WR Tiger Jones

Riddell Defensive Player: Philadelphia’s DB Rayshaun Kizer

J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: Arizona’s FB Odie Armstrong

Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Arizona’s WR Rod Windsor one-handed touchdown catch

Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia’s DL Bryan Robinson blocked kick return

Union earn draw in Toronto, McInerney scores again

 Toronto, ON  – The Philadelphia Union (5-5-4, 19 points) came back from a one-goal deficit Saturday evening to earn a 1-1 draw on the road against Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC.

“I think I would start by paying Toronto a compliment because they were really good to start the game. They are such a different team than the team we played earlier in the season and they are playing differently, too,” said Team Manager John Hackworth.  “Full credit to our guys who fought back and even though it wasn’t pretty, it was effective. But to get one back here like we did today, it’s good for us.”

In stoppage time, Jack McInerney took the lone opportunity he had all game and buried a low driven ball past Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik. The goal nullified one in the 65th minute from Toronto FC Academy product Jonathan Osorio, who broke past a Union defender and placed a header past Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath.

McInerney scored his 10th of the season, solidifying his position as leader for the most goals in Major League Soccer. Even better, McInerney now has 22 goals in 74 matches played for the Union and the count is still out on just how many have come via last second thrillers.

“Every single game, he just finds a way to get on the board,” Hackworth said of McInerney, the reigning MLS Player of the Month, recently added to the provisional roster for the U.S. men's national team ahead of the  CONCACAF Gold Cup. “We didn’t play our best soccer and I don’t think Jack was in the best form early in the game and he was getting frustrated…but he kept his nose down and waited for his opportunity and he just continues to score.”

The match is one that has encompassed three games in an eight day period for the past two weeks for the Union. This week doesn’t get any easier as the club will face the Columbus Crew Wednesday at PPL Park, who sit just below the Union in the Eastern Conference standings. The team will stay active during the international break, as well, with matches against USL-PDL affiliate Reading on June 7 (7 p.m.), a U.S. Open Cup fourth round match against D.C. United on June 12 (7:30 p.m.), and a meeting with USL affiliate Harrisburg on June 18 (7:30 p.m.).

The Union will then return to MLS play on June 23 with a home match against the New York Red Bulls at PPL Park (5 p.m., ESPN)

“They threw everything they could at us early and we certainly weathered a big storm there in the first half,” said Hackworth. “This was a really important result for our club to come here and get a point on the road, especially through a tough stretch where we have played so many games in such a short amount of time.”

BOX SCORE

Philadelphia Union 1, Toronto FC 1

Saturday, June 1; 6:00 p.m. ET

BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario

SCORING SUMMARY

MTL: Osorio 66’ (Brockie, Hall)

PHI: McInerney 91’


DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

PHI: Carroll 25’ (caution)

TOR: Henry 27’ (caution)

PHI: MacMath 27’ (argument)

TOR: Henry 41’ (second caution, red)

TOR: Laba 77’ (caution)

PHI: Parke 84’ (caution)


UNION STARTING 11

MacMath, Williams, Okugo, Soumare, Gaddis, Carroll, Kléberson (Daniel 15’), Cruz, Farfan, Le Toux, McInerney


TORONTO STARTING 11

Bendik, Henry, Richter, Caldwell, O’Dea, Osorio, Hall, Laba, Convey, Earnshaw (Brockie 61’ [Koevermans 86’]), Silva (Morgan 5’)

Union's McInerney once again voted best player in MLS

For the second straight time, Jack McInerney was voted the MLS Player of the Month.

McInerney narrowly won the award for May, edging out Portland Timbers goalie Donovan Ricketts by one vote (6-5). 

The Union forward scored three times in five May games to raise his season total to nine, and he is currently tied with Montreal striker Marco Di Vaio for the league lead in goals.

The 20-year-old netted the lone goal in the Union's 1-0 road win over Chicago on May 1, and provided the lone score seven days later in a 1-0 home victory over the Fire. McInerney then closed out the month with another goal in a 5-3 defeat to the Impact.

Di Vaio and Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill each earned three votes.

2013 MLS PLAYER OF THE MONTH
May: Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union)
April: Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union)
March: Mike Magee (LA Galaxy)

Phillies release Durbin, recall Savery

The Phillies have taken a bold step to refashion their bullpen, releasing Chad Durbin on Friday afternoon.

Joe Savery will be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the roster spot.

The 35-year-old Durbin managed to pick up a win in relief on Tuesday in Boston, but departs the organization with a 9.00 ERA in 16 innings over 16 appearances this season. He went 11-7 over three previous years (2008-10) with the Phils.

Savery did not record a decision in his lone 2013 big-league appearance, a one-inning stint during a 5-0 loss to the Cardinals on April 20.

Flyers make signings of Lamarche, Raffl official

The Philadelphia Flyers on Friday afternoon officially lifted the veil on their two newest signees, revealing that defenseman Maxim Lamarche and forward Michael Raffl have each signed three-year, entry-level contracts.

For Raffl, the 24-year-old Austrian winger, the Orange and Black won out over several suitors including the Nashville Predators.

“Both (Director of Player Personnel) Dave Brown and myself as well as (European Scout) Ilkka (Sinisalo) saw him at the World Championships and he’s a good player,” said Director of Hockey Operations Chris Pryor. “You noticed him over there. He’s got skill. He thinks the game. He’s a versatile guy and can do a lot of different things. “He’s a good player, who we think can be NHL ready. There’s going to be a learning curve, but he’s got enough in his game to be able to make that adjustment rather quickly.”

Raffl struck for 24 goals and 46 points in 49 games this past season for Leksands in the Swedish Elite League, his second season there after six with his native country skating for VSV EC.

Lamarche, 20, an "overage junior" from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, finished 2012-13 by posting nine goals and 43 points in 55 contests along with a career-best plus-31 with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. He added three goals and eight assists in 19 postseason games as the Drakkar made it to the league finals before being demolished by Halifax.

Over four seasons in the "Q" with Victoriaville and Baie-Comeau, the native of suburban Montreal racked up 23 goals and 90 assists over 252 appearances.

Temple's Brown signs deal with Bucs

PHILADELPHIA - An expired passport had given former Temple running back Matt Brown a second chance at his NFL dream.

The diminutive Brown was poised to sign a contract with the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders last week but the deal was held up due to the paperwork snafu.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came calling this week and the 5-foot-5 Baltimore native inked a deal to go to Central Florida.

Brown is the fifth Temple Owl to sign with an NFL team this spring. He joins DB Maurice Jones (Chicago Bears), PK/P Brandon McManus (Indianapolis Colts), OL Martin Wallace (Cleveland Browns), and DE John Youboty (Denver Broncos). RB Montel Harris (Hamilton Tiger-Cats) also signed with the CFL.

Brown was named the 2012 BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team All-BIG EAST honoree, finishing his collegiate career ranked No. 2 at Temple in all-purpose yardage (5,272), No. 3 in rushing touchdowns (22), and No. 4 in 100-yard rushing performances (10). 

In 2012, Brown set the season record for punt return average (14.2) and at No. 12/10 Louisville he set the school record for kickoff return yards (227). Brown finished third in rushing with 372 yards and four touchdowns on 60 carries. He led the Owls with 241 yards on 17 punt returns and 790 yards and a touchdown on 31 kickoff returns.

Despite missing two games due to injury, Brown finished as the BIG EAST leader in all-purpose yards, averaging 143.4 yards per game.

American Athletic Conference unveils logo

PROVIDENCE – The American Athletic Conference unveiled its new logo and marks today, giving the reinvented conference a new visual identity. The creation of the logo and marks is a part of the ongoing branding of The American, formerly known as the Big East. The new logo features a simple, athletic letter A in red, white and blue, which each institution can customize with its own colors.
 
 “As with the creation of our name, we worked directly with our institutions, sports marketing experts, media partners and design agencies to create and evaluate a variety of logo options,” said Commissioner Mike Aresco. “We took our preferred marks to each institution within our conference for an open forum with school presidents, athletic directors and student athletes to get their input. The elegant, athletic and classic letter A with the unique star inside and AMERICAN underneath was unanimously chosen by every institution. We believe this bold mark and our series of ancillary marks will support our conference name and the values that our name represents. In addition, our partners at ESPN and CBS agree that its strength, simplicity and elegance will resonate well on TV,” concluded Aresco.
 
The process of creating and choosing a new logo is an important step in the rebranding process for the American Athletic Conference.  From the unparalleled realignment of two athletic conferences, to securing multi-platform broadcast exposure with ESPN and CBS, to developing a new name, logo and overall identity, The American has undergone a unique, first-of-its-kind rebranding experience within college athletics.
 
 The American Athletic Conference will assume its new name on July 1, when it will also launch the full version of its website at www.TheAmerican.org. Until then, TheAmerican.org will feature basic information on the Conference and its member schools.

Beginning with the 2014-15 academic year, The American will consist of the University of Central Florida, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut, East Carolina University, the University of Houston, the University of Memphis, Southern Methodist University, the University of South Florida, Temple University, Tulane University and the University of Tulsa. The U.S. Naval Academy will become a football-only member in 2015.

Former Temple RB Harris finds a home North of the Border

Montel Harris, Temple's primary running back last season, will begin his professional career in Canada.

On Wednesday, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats inked Harris along with six other players from North America. It follows on the heels of an unsuccessful tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Harris completed his collegiate career by finishing first in the Big East with 1,054 yards -- including five games of 100-or-more -- and 12 rushing touchdowns on 186 carries, adding 10 receptions for 90 yards over 11 contests for Steve Addazio's Owls.

His most impressive feat was strafing the Army defense for career highs of 351 yards and seven touchdowns in a 63-32 win at the Linc on November 17.

The former Boston College back finished with 4,789 yards rushing and 39 scores, having accomplished most of that over his first four seasons in Chestnut Hill.  

Despite playing just three seasons with the Eagles, he remains the school’s leader in rushing yards (3,735) and 100-yard games (22). 

Extra Points: Racially insensitive 'Redskins' are anything but - Football - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington news, weather and sports

Extra Points: Racially insensitive 'Redskins' are anything but - Football - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington news, weather and sports

Union advance in US Open Cup

Chester, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union have advanced to the fourth round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after defeating the Ocean City Nor’easters, 2-1 Tuesday night at PPL Park behind a stoppage time goal from Brian Carroll. The club will now face D.C. United at the Maryland SoccerPlex June 12 in a 7 p.m. matchup.

Carroll’s goal arrived just minutes after Nor’easters forward Emmanuel Kollie evened the match at 1-1, finishing off a scramble in the box and squeezing the ball inside near post. The goal nullified a score in the 49th minute from Jack McInerney, who calmly placed a ball past Nor’easters goalkeeper Brian Billings off a ball across the box from Le Toux.

“I am just happy to be advancing,” Carroll said postgame. “This is a tournament I would really like to win one day and hopefully we are able to do it this year with this group.”

The Union will now face D.C. United for the third straight year in U.S. Open Cup play, who took the USL’s Richmond Kickers into extra time Tuesday, eventually winning on penalty kicks.

It was Carroll who fueled an extra time thriller against D.C. United three years ago in Boyds, when he scored in extra time. Carroll, who has five goals in all competitions for the Union has scored three in Open Cup play – two against D.C. United.

“When you play against a team like that it’s kind of like their World Cup game, so you know they are going to come out strong,” Jack McInerney said. “They are going to throw everything at you and try to do everything possible to defeat you. For us, it’s a game where we try to come out and try something different. But [Ocean City] battled and it took a while to break them down, but it finally came.”

Playing the majority of his starters, Union manager John Hackworth found a crew eager to get on the score sheet (18 shots, seven on goal), but was unable to capitalize in the first half. However, the Union attack never wavered after Kollie’s goal and a furious attack spearheaded on numerous occasions down the right flank by second half sub Danny Cruz proved too much for Ocean City to contain.

“We obviously have [winning this tournament] one of the goals we set out for this club,” said Hackworth. “You can tell that by the lineup we put out tonight that there was no thought that this was going to be an easy game for us, so our focus is trying to win one of the few trophies you can win in U.S. Soccer…[now we head to D.C.] and anyone that’s been down to [Boyds, Md.] will tell you that is a tough place to play the past couple years. It’s always a battle.”

That game is June 12, but in the immediate, the Union will take another trip North to Canada to take on Toronto FC in MLS play on Saturday (6 p.m., The Comcast Network).

“Hopefully we can learn some things from tonight’s game and move past the couple tough performances that we’ve had,” said Carroll. “Road games are never easy and Toronto is a much different club now than they were when we played them the first time, so we are going to have to bring our ‘A’ game.”

BOX SCORE

Philadelphia Union 2, Ocean City Nor’easters 1

Saturday, May 28; 7:30 p.m. ET

PPL Park, Chester, PA



SCORING SUMMARY

PHI: McInerney 49’ (Le Toux)

OCY: Kollie 91’+

PHI: Carroll 92’+ (Le Toux)



DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

None



UNION STARTING 11

MacMath, Williams, Okugo, Parke, Gaddis, Carroll, Daniel, Fernandes (Farfan 89’), Casey (Cruz 65’), Le Toux, McInerney (Hoppenot 81’)



NOR’EASTERS STARTING 11

Billings, Curran, Hillard, Machinguata, McLaws, Mulgrew (Kollie 24’), Perea, Tribbett, Asante (Dennis 68’), Lacroix, Tweneboa (Correra 86’)

Soul's Raudabaugh wins Offensive Player of the Week honors

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Soul quarterback, Dan Raudabaugh, was awarded the Russell Offensive Player of the Week award following a dominating performance in Week 10’s win against the Tampa Bay Storm.

Soul WR Ryan McDaniel was also awarded the Cutters Catch of the Week after a one-handed touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.

Raudabaugh threw with precision, as he connected on 20 of 23 passes for 297 yards and seven touchdowns.  Raudabaugh threw no interceptions in his guidance of the Soul’s 312 yards of total offense.

“I’m happy to receive this award,” explained Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh.  “But it was a team effort for me to be able to get this.  The linemen did their blocking, the receivers made their catches, Ross punched it in on the goal line and everyone did what they needed to do.  This award reflects the efforts of us as a team and I really have to say thank you to my teammates for putting me into this position.”

McDaniel caught the one-handed grab at the 9:24 mark of the fourth quarter to put the Soul up 19 points.  McDaniel has caught a team-high nine touchdowns over the course of the past four weeks.

Brown takes home top weekly honors in National League

New York, NY -- Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown has been selected as the National League's Player of the Week for the period ending May 26.

Brown, who won his first career weekly award, hit .348 (8-for-23) with two homers, two doubles, a triple seven RBI and four runs scored.He also racked up a league-best .783 slugging percentage and ranked second in the NL with 18 total bases.

The 25-year-old Brown leads Philadelphia with 10 homers and 29 RBI, including a streak of five consecutive games with at least one run driven in, tying a season high along with Ryan Howard (April 24-28).


He is the first Phillies player selected since Cole Hamels won the weekly honor from August 13-19 last season, and the first position player since outfielder Raul Ibanez won it from July 4-10, 2011.

Others considered for the award were San Diego's Everth Cabrera, Atlanta's Evan Gattis, Arizona's Patrick Corbin and Cincinnati's Joey Votto.

Kraft Named deputy AD at Temple

PHILADELPHIA - Dr. Pat Kraft, who served on the senior athletic staffs at Indiana University and Loyola University Chicago, has been named Deputy Director of Athletics at Temple University.

“Pat Kraft brings a wealth of knowledge in athletics administration to Temple University,” said Interim Director of Athletics Kevin Clark.  “I witnessed firsthand his efforts in branding and marketing Indiana Athletics as we served together on IU’s athletics senior staff.  His business acumen and his ability to engage fan bases will be critical as Temple is poised to enter a new era in its athletics program in 2013-14 with the move to the American Athletic Conference.”

Kraft spent the past two years as the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director at Loyola University Chicago.  At Loyola, he had direct oversight of all aspects of the department’s external operations, including the marketing, ticketing, media relations and fundraising components.

In his two years at the school he was able to grow the men’s basketball season ticket base by 30 percent with an overall increase of 51 percent in ticket revenue.  Additionally he generated an increase of 400 percent in cash sponsorship to the department while also growing the department’s annual giving by 75 percent.

Not limited to just external operations at Loyola, Kraft was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the department’s $12+ million budget.  He also served as the sport supervisor for men’s and women’s basketball and was responsible for handling all of the department’s business contracts.

At Indiana, Kraft was responsible for the branding and marketing efforts for all of the Hoosiers' programs. He oversaw game production for all of IU's varsity sports and coordinated group, season and single-game ticket sales for football, men's basketball, men's soccer, women's basketball and women's volleyball. In addition, Kraft managed the promotion, marketing, brand enhancement and enforcement of the school's Adidas contract and the Big Ten Network partnership as well as the Learfield Sport Properties multi-media rights agreement with the Hoosiers.

His efforts at Indiana helped increase home football attendance to its highest mark in 17 years, with it also being the third largest football attendance increase among all Division I schools.  He also instituted a strategy that saw a 20 percent increase in student ticket sales and the overall highest season ticket base in 13 years.

The Libertyville, Ill. native began his career in 2001 as the corporate sponsorship and promotions coordinator with the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.  He then spent three years as the business development director with United States Synchronized Swimming (2001-04).  He then served four years in higher education, the first three at Indiana (2005-08) as an associate instructor for sports marketing and management and the last as a clinical professor in the school of business administration at Loyola Chicago (2008-09).

 Kraft, who played football as an undergraduate at Indiana, has three degrees from the University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports marketing/management (2000), a master’s degree in sports marketing/administration (2005) and a doctorate in sports marketing (2008). 

“I want to thank President Neil Theobald and Interim Athletic Director Kevin Clark for this wonderful opportunity,” said Kraft.  “My wife Betsy and I are thrilled to be joining the Temple Owls family. It is an honor to be part of such a proud and storied program, and I am excited to play a role in the next great chapter of Temple athletics.”

Union trade D Soumare to Chicago

Chester, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union traded defender Bakary Soumare to the Chicago Fire on hursday in exchange for allocation money and a 2014 MLS SuperDraft natural second-round pick.

“We are thankful for Bakary’s contributions to the Union and wish him the best of luck as he continues his career,” said team manager John Hackworth.


Soumare, a former MLS Defender of the Year candidate with international experience in France and Germany, originally signed with the Union in June of 2012 but was beaten out for a starting spot by Amobi Okugo this season after missing most of the prior year with a knee injury.

Soumare appeared in four matches for the Union in 2013 and played extensively after Jeff Parke went down with a hamstring injury but the high-priced Malian defender has wanted out for quite some time.


Hackworth told MLSSoccer.com that the “biggest part” of the deal was salary cap relief.

“We have cap space and roster spots where we can go out and try to find a player to dial in those things,” Hackworth told the website. “We’re good right now. But for coaches and organizations in MLS, this summer transfer window internationally and even on the domestic front is a big time to make a move. So I think we’re at least positioned if the right player in that situation comes along, we’ll be able to make a move.”

Temple's Brown signs with CFL's Roughriders

PHILADELPHIA – Former Temple running back Matt Brown has signed a contract with the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The diminutive Brown is the sixth Owl to sign with a professional team this spring. He joins RB Montel Harris (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), DB Maurice Jones (Chicago Bears), PK/P Brandon McManus (Indianapolis Colts), OL Martin Wallace (Cleveland Browns), and DE John Youboty (Denver Broncos).

Named the 2012 BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team All-BIG EAST honoree, Brown played in 10 games with three starts at tailback while handling all return duties as a senior last fall.  He finished his collegiate career ranked No. 2 at Temple in all-purpose yardage (5,272), No. 3 in rushing touchdowns (22), and No. 4 in 100-yard rushing performances (10).  In 2012, Brown set the season record for punt return average (14.2) and at No. 12/10 Louisville he set the school record for kickoff return yards (227). Brown finished third in rushing with 372 yards and four touchdowns on 60 carries. He led the Owls with 241 yards on 17 punt returns and 790 yards and a touchdown on 31 kickoff returns. Despite missing two games due to injury, Brown finished as the BIG EAST leader in all-purpose yards, averaging 143.4 yards per game.

Brown became the fifth active Owl to appear on a CFL roster:  RB Tim Brown (B.C. Lions), QB Henry Burris (Hamilton Tiger-Cats), LB Dominique Harris (Hamilton Tiger-Cats), and DL Elisha Joseph (Calgary Stampeders).

Eagles' Casey has knee surgery

PHILADELPHIA – Eagles tight end James Casey will not participate in the remainder of offseason OTAs after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this week.

Casey underwent the procedure to correct loose cartilage in his right knee and confirmed it on his Twitter account Thursday.

"I had a minor scope done on my right knee," Casey Tweeted. "I'll be back to full speed in two weeks. Better to get it taken care of now."

Casey signed with the team in the off-season as a free agent after spending the previous three seasons with the Houston Texans.

Voracek lucky to be alive following car accident in Czech Republic

Just what is it with the Flyers organization and the automobile?

For the second time in the last three offseasons, a member of the club has been involved in a serious car accident.

This time, it was Jakub Voracek, whose Ferrari was totaled this morning in a one-car crash in the Czech Republic. The picture above depicts the damage after Voracek's car struck the back of a truck.

“I spoke with Jake this morning. He was involved in a car accident in the Czech Republic. Although his car did suffer damage, there were no injuries. Jake is fine," said Flyers GM Paul Holmgren in a brief statement issued minutes ago.

The Courier Post later reported that the 23-year-old drew a fine for speeding.

Voracek's agent, Petr Svoboda told CSN Philly: "He got lucky. It's a learning experience ... Not a scratch on him." In the same story, the damage was estimated to be $150,000, or more than three million crowns.

Back in 2010, Danny Briere was involved in a late-night incident with a tractor trailer just outside of Binghamton, NY as he drove his children back to his home province of Quebec.

And of course, in November of 1985, Pelle Lindbergh suffered life-ending injuries when his Porsche struck a retaining wall outside a school in Somerdale, NJ.

Unlike Lindbergh's accident, there was no trace of alcohol involved in Voracek's incident.

In addition, back in the Spring of 1977, Rick MacLeish and Bob Dailey were involved in a single-vehicle accident when a van MacLeish was driving on a rain-slicked South Jersey road hydroplaned and flipped over onto its side.  MacLeish suffered a compression fracture in one of his vertebrae.

Voracek's brush with mortality with the pedal to the metal brings to mind something unrelated to Flyers lore, the unfortunate September, 2003 accident in a Northern section of Atlanta which saw Thrashers forward Dan Snyder killed in a one-car crash.

Snyder was a passenger in a sports car driven by teammate Dany Heatley, who was speeding on a section of road notorious for its curves. Heatley lost control of the vehicle -- also a Ferrari -- which skidded into a pillar and split in two with both men ejected. Snyder slipped into a coma and died six days later.

Neglected Flyers HOF needs to move forward with Beast, Legion

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor 

The cupboard is looking very bare these days inside the Flyers Hall of Fame.

Sure, it's already stocked with 20 of the franchise's greatest players, coaches, managers and builders, but with 46 years of history behind the franchise and room enough for some 30 selections at this point, it's way past time the organization should be looking to fete some of the best from the last 20 years of stellar, record-setting hockey.

The upcoming season is the perfect time for the Flyers to recommence the pageantry, since the front office will be trying to quickly erase the memory of the second season in the last 18 without playoff hockey;  give 'em a little more of the Bread and Circuses we've come to expect when doing the Time Warp again.

They can start by giving long-overdue recognition to the Legion of Doom.

Question: Without looking, can you tell me who was the last Flyer to be inducted and when?

Answer: Dave Schultz, back in November of 2009.

Admission: I had to look it up, both the player and the date. That alone should tell you the gap in honors is inexcusable.

Schultz's impact on the Orange and Black is everlasting, though he last donned the sweater in the Spring of 1976.

The last player honored before him, Ron Hextall (February of 2008), did end his career as late as 1999, but it began in 1986 and his glory years as the pulse and heartbeat and living embodiment of the Bullies ethic was dried up by his third NHL season, which came before the dawn of the 90s.

Before we delve into the decade which made the decadence of the 80s obsolete, the organization should first correct a grievous oversight, and that is to get Brad McCrimmon enshrined alongside Flyers HOF member and now NHL Hall of Famer Mark Howe. 

Although Bob Clarke still may hold a grudge against "Beast," a player he once thought "was a big boozer who I didn't think cared," and whom he clashed on contract negotiations back in 1986 which eventually led to his departure a year later, Clarke is no longer in charge.

Howe himself made it a point on multiple platforms in March of 2012 that McCrimmon should be recognized for his talents and contributions here in Philadelphia, where both men formed the best defensive tandem the club has ever seen. From 1984 through 1987, No. 2 and No. 10 combined for 335 points, a staggering plus-370 rating, one Jennings Trophy and two Stanley Cup Finals appearances.

For those old enough and lucky enough to remember, one cannot be seen without the other, and that should be the case on the next banner raised to the rafters. It should be done in the first half of next season.

Now to the thorny question of the Legion.

Both Eric Lindros and John LeClair returned to the Philadelphia hockey world around the holidays in 2011, in the lead-up to the Winter Classic against the Rangers. They put together a nice fundraiser at Morton's in Center City for Childrens' Hospital about a week before Christmas, and several prominent names in the Flyers organization attended. What didn't escape notice, was that there was a an even split: Paul Holmgren and Peter Luukko made their presence known, while neither Ed Snider nor Clarke attended.

Despite what was parroted through mainstream media, there was no "reconciliation" between Lindros and Clarke prior to the Alumni Game on New Year's Eve at Citizens Bank Park, only a few words exchanged and a handshake, all for the cameras. The fissure remains. Clarke is not one to give up old grudges, though the fire with which they are stoked is on simmer rather than bake.

But again, Clarke is not in charge. Though Snider is, it's high time he let Holmgren take the reins on this one and start the reconciliation. We know the fans want it. Who are the Flyers not to give the fans what they want?

Excepting Hextall's second foray with the team from 1995-99, only Howe and Tim Kerr lasted longer than 1990 here. The mega-blockbuster Lindros deal will be old enough to legally drink in this country come the end of June. If there's any lingering distaste for Lindros in the upper echelons, so what? No reason to cause controversy by singling him out for induction.

We know the full Legion reunion came up one-third short two years ago because of Mikael Renberg's professional duties, but to do it right is to enshrine all three at once. Though Lindros himself played a huge part in reversing the club's fortunes upon his 1992 arrival, it wasn't until all three tore through the NHL starting in February of 1995 that the Flyers enjoyed their Third Renaissance, which included a surprise playoff run in '95 and a Stanley Cup appearance two years later. 

That's the way it was done for the first six editions of the HOF ceremonies, at least two persons inducted per year from March of 1988 through April of 1993. Since then, just seven at highly-irregular intervals. There's even precedent for a trifecta: Snider, Bill Barber and Keith Allen all were inducted in March of '89.

There's no question it would be a guaranteed sellout, a full-capacity sellout and not one of those jerry-rigged "total butts in seats being 2,000 less than tickets sold" sellouts. But there is a question over who grants the right for these ceremonies to go forward and who gets final say over which player is enshrined next.

For Snider and Clarke, adding LeClair and Renberg to the honors list -- two players who didn't manager to raise hackles on either power-broker's neck while playing here -- should mollify any misgivings, but who really knows? Stubborn pride has had more than a hand in certain front-office decisions at times regarding the trio. The leash should be off Holmgren and Luukko's necks by now to officially extend olive branches.

Looking further down the line, how about Mark (Dr.) Recchi? He spent two memorable stints here from 1992-95 and from 1999-2004.

Tasked with bringing more offense to a languishing team in February of '92 after winning a Cup with the Penguins, Recchi did more than that -- eventually breaking Clarke's single-season points record with 123 in 1992-93. He's the only other player besides Clarke to post back-to-back 100-point seasons, ranks eighth all-time in points, 11th in goals and fourth in assists.

Before Lindros, Recchi (along with the deserving Rod Brind'Amour) were to be the cornerstones of the post-Clarke 90s Flyers. He made his mark in two eras, racking up 39 playoff points in his second stint here after missing out in his first go-round.

No matter what happens, pressure from the fan base is the only way things will be resolved to satisfaction. That voice should include the demands of dozens, if not hundreds, of full season ticket holders who fondly recall what is rapidly becoming a forgotten decade.

If not, the Mighty Meltzer might get his way and we'll have Jimmy Watson Night on tap. Love ya, Bill! We hope he's worthy of honor eventually, but not before these giants have their time.