1) Father of a cop caught up in a heroin-peddling scam speaks out.
2) Gov. Chris Christie’s plan for Atlantic City. (I know what you’re thinking, but the choice of photo wasn’t mine.)
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3) Manchester United 1, Philadelphia Union 0…
Locals and visitors wearing the enemy red crest far outnumbered those in Union gear under a hot tailgating sun in a South Philadelphia yesterday. While South Jersey guys Dennis Mailahn, Matt Ranjokski and a respectable supply of Miller Lite had little problem with the scene, their pal Ken Funkhouser took notice.
“For me, it’s as bad as being surrounded by Dallas Cowboys fans,” said Funkhouser, who arrived early from Haddon Heights wearing a Union T-shirt. “I’m also a fan of [Manchester United archrival] Chelsea.”
Considering Chelsea relegated Man U to runner-up status last season, that’s a double-whammy. Mailahn, a Barcelona supporter, and Ranjowski, a relative newbie, were content that people turned out in a city just getting its soccer feet under it. Combine a respectable World Cup showing and 890,000 online-petition signatures to bring the tournament here with a Pattison Avenue vuvuzela serenade, and wider American acceptance doesn’t seem quite as unrealistic as before.
Some 44,213 (announced) people crammed Lincoln Financial Field to watch an Eagles/Temple mismatch quickly turn into an Eagles/Giants throw-down featuring first-half scoring opportunities from Union’s Danny Mwanga and Sebastien Le Toux but no goals. Halftime brought heavy substitutions for both sides. The second half brought profane chants from the Sons of Ben toward Man U’s backup goalkeeper and, after star Dimitar Berbatov entered with a half-hour left, after star Dimitar Berbatov entered the game in the 61st minute, a Union giveaway led to a Gabriel Obertan goal 15 minutes later. (The red crowd erupted.) After a close Union opportunity with three minutes left, that was 1-0 final that.
What mattered most, at least to the pre-game crowd wasn’t the results, though. “It’s just awesome,” said Ranjowski, “to be able to see such a quality international team play a stone’s throw away from where I live.”
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