Newcastle United Reportedly in Talks with Philadelphia Union About Preseason Friendly
by Robert L. Bishop on Feb 3, 2012 8:16 PM GMT
in NUFC News
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I Wish I Were A Geordie is reporting that Newcastle United and the Philadelphia Union of the MLS are in talks to play a preseason friendly at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. If true, the match would signal a second straight trip for Newcastle to the United States to play in preseason friendlies. Last July, the Toon played Sporting Kansas City, Orlando City SC, and the Columbus Crew in their tour, which was considered by many to be a disaster by the time it was over. On top of travel concerns (which also included visa trouble for Joey Barton and Cheik Tiote), two of the games were played in 90+ degree heat, there was a last-minute controversy over playing on Orlando's plastic pitch, and Hatem Ben Arfa was injured by a rough tackle from Sporting Kansas City defender Roger Espinoza.
All but one of those problems was really rather avoidable, but with better planning, a trip to the United States can still be quite a profitable trip for Newcastle - there are plenty of Toon fans in the States, which was reflected by strong attendance figures at the three friendlies in 2011. It's smart to plan to play in a place like Philadelphia, where the weather will be cooler, and there are plenty of other teams in close proximity that could be added to the schedule. The Union have hosted foreign teams for friendlies before, including Manchester United and Celtic FC.
Check out SBN's Philadelphia Union site, The Brotherly Game, for more on this and other stories on the Union.
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Great news
Its also plenty hot in Philly in July
GFO List: Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti, Mike Ashley, Dan Guerrero
by BetterDeadThanRed on Feb 3, 2012 8:55 PM GMT reply actions
Not nearly as hot as Kansas City or Orlando, I'd wager
As a Texan who just went through a summer of 71 days of 100 degree heat, I had to laugh at the people whining about 90. I went to the Kansas City game, and while it wasn’t exactly comfortable, it was a good 15 degrees cooler than the temp at my house was that day.
by Robert L. Bishop on Feb 3, 2012 9:58 PM GMT up reply actions
Try the Northwest
You want cool weather? Come to Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. And maybe I’ll get to see it. Awesome.
cool weather good plastic pitches bad
they should come play in AT&T park or candlestick in San Francisco like Barca 09, Madrid ’10, & Man Citeh in ’11. Grass fields and perfect moderate temperatures… sunshine plus nice summer ocean breeze.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Feb 3, 2012 9:39 PM GMT up reply actions
Isn't Jeld-Wen
natural grass?
"Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy." --Frank Sinatra
by Other Side of the Pillow on Feb 3, 2012 10:50 PM GMT up reply actions
Two Years in a Row?
God, I really, really, really, really hope this happens. What are the odds that Newcastle would come to both the cities I call home in back to back years? My only problem now would be which shirt to wear?
by PhillyBuckeye12 on Feb 4, 2012 12:46 AM GMT reply actions
Take both-
change at halftime :) That’s what I did at SKC last year
"Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy." --Frank Sinatra
by Other Side of the Pillow on Feb 4, 2012 1:42 AM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
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