Philadelphia. Home of the cheesesteak, Boyz II Men and, since their inception in 2008, the Philadelphia Union. 'The U' are Everton's next pre-season opponents and so welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen, to your match preview.
The Club
Union are one of the Major League Soccer's newest franchises. Founded in 2008, their inaugural game in the MLS was a 2-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders in March 2010. Their first victory came just a few weeks later, a 3-2 triumph over DC United (another of Everton's pre-season opponents).
Philadelphia are enjoying a fantastic season to date and are currently two points clear at the top of the MLS Eastern conference, with a further two games in hand over their nearest challengers, the New York Red Bulls. This week marks a break in their season with friendlies against ourselves and Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The Gaffer
One time Polish Player of the Year Piotr Nowak is the man in charge of the Union, and a huge figure in MLS history. The only man to win the MLS Cup as a player and a manager, Nowak enjoyed a successful playing career in Europe before signing for Chicago Fire in 1998.
In 2002 he took over the helm at DC United and led them to the title in his first season in charge. The Pole then took on roles with the USA U-23 side before switching back to club football with the Union.
The Players
Sébastien Le Toux, a French forward who played briefly in Ligue 2 for Rennes before moving across the Atlantic, was Philadelphia's top scorer last year, with his 15 goals helping the Union to a 7th place finish in the MLS Eastern Conference. Although Le Toux's form has dropped this season, US football writer Grant Wahl notes him as "one of their threats".
Everton must also watch out for Guatemalan frontman Carlos Ruiz, who has a phenomenal strike rate across the pond. One of the MLS' top players, the striker has netted 150 goals in just 169 career games.
And, if Everton were in need of any extra incentive, Union have a pair of midfielders named Carroll and Torres.
Links between the clubs
1) Everton's American custodian Tim Howard has plenty of ties to the Union. Nick Sakiewicz, Union's CEO, brought Howard through the ranks when the pair were together at the NY MetroStars. Goalkeeper Howard is also friends with many of the Union coaching staff and defender Danny Califf.
2) Philadelphia is the proud home of the steps that Sylvester Stallone ran up as Rocky Balboa. 'Rocky' famously walked out onto the hallowed Goodison turf prior to the 1-1 draw with Reading in 2007, after which the legendary actor claimed that 'Reading's goal was offside, or whatever'.
3) Blues captain Phil Neville loves a bit of Philadelphia spread on his ryvita, and this is his regular breakfast when preparing to 'attack the day'.
4) Union midfielder Stefan Miglioranzi, 33, had a 3-month trial at Everton earlier in his career and went on to play for Portsmouth under the late Alan Ball.
StickyToffee Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2-1 Everton
I predict a tight match over in the US of A. Everton should have the technical edge, but the Union are midway through the season and therefore fully match-fit, something that might just give them the edge.
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