2010 Philadelphia Eagles Draw Ninth Toughest Schedule

I realize that the chase for Lord Stanley’s Cup is currently underway and that the Flyers have just grabbed a 3-1 stranglehold on their opening round series against New Jersey.

I also understand the fightin Phils are trying to become the first team since the 1942-44 St. Louis Cardinals to win three straight National League Pennants. No doubt exciting stuff if you are Philadelphia Sports Fan, but make no mistake about it, this is also a big week for Philadelphia Eagle fans.

In two nights, the birds venture into their 75th draft in league history holding five picks in the first three rounds and ten overall. As a draft appetizer, the NFL tonight released the 2010 regular season schedule, which has Philadelphia’s schedule as the ninth toughest in the league.

Highlighting the 17-week season are of course the two games verses former Eagle QB Donovan McNabb and the Washington Redskins. The first matchup is Sunday, Oct. 3, a 4:15 start at Lincoln Financial Field. The second go around against Donny Mac, a Monday Night affair, Nov. 15 at Washington.

Philadelphia will open the regular season Sept. 12 with a 4:15 p.m. kickoff against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Birds' bye will come Halloween weekend, and trust me: with five of Philadelphia’s final seven games scheduled against the NFC East, that bye is strategically placed.

Home Games: Packers, Redskins, Falcons, Colts, Giants, Texans, Vikings & Cowboys.

Away Games: Lions, Jaguars, 49ers, Titans, Redskins, Bears, Cowboys & Giants.

Philadelpha Union Seeing Red after 2-1 Loss to Toronto FC

For the second time in three games, the Philadelphia Union on the wrong end of a red card send off.

Talk about playing at a disadvantage, ten against eleven is certainly no way to make a living, as Philadelphia found out in their season opening loss at seattle.

In that game Philadelphia's Toni Stahl was sent off in the 40th minute after being shown a second yellow card.  At the time Seattle led 1-0, but quickly pushed it to a 2-0 advantage three minutes later.

Last night in the 34th minute, it was a straight red card send off for Union Captain Danny Califf. No yellow card warning needed, as Califf got called for an elbow to the head of Julian de Guzman, who had beaten Califf and had a clear path to a slow rolling ball headed toward the Philadelphia goal.

That send off setup the games first score, as Toronto's Dwayne De Rosario struck a free kick past a wall of Union defenders and into the fragile hands of Union keeper Chris Seitz.

It was a save Seitz should have made, but instead the ball deflected off his gloves and over the goal line, 1-0 Toronto. It was the second time in as many games a mishandled ball by Seitz has cost his team a goal (with the other being the second D.C. United goal in last week's game against Philadelphia). 

I know that Seitz has been tabbed as the next great American goalkeeper, but through three games his play has been a bit suspect, especially on clearing plays. 

The keeper job is Seitz's to lose, but If you listen closely you can almost hear Union backup Brad Knighton pealing back the velcro on a new package of goalkeeper mits.

Give Philadelphia credit however for not collapsing.

In first half stoppage time, 18-year-old Roger Torres served a nicely placed volley to Jordan Harvey inside Toronto's 18 and just off the far post. The first touch was nice and the second touch found the back of the  net.

Game tied one-all at half time.

It was a questionable call in the 81st minute that for all intensive purposes decided the outcome.

Seitz was called for taking down O'Brian White inside the 18. In my eyes the call was questionable because Seitz was cleary going for the ball, the referees assistant however saw it differently. No yellow card, but a penalty shot was awarded.  Seitz guessed correctly on which way to dive, but De Rosario's shot was just a bit too strong  

Philadelphia and Toronto are both now 1-2 on the season, as the Union look to regroup before their April 24th trip up the Jersey Turnpike to play the New York Red Bull. Unfortunatley, they will have to play that game without Danny Califf, who will serve a one game suspension for his red card.

Scoring Summary :

TOR-Dwayne De Rosario (Free Kick) 35'

PHL-Jordan Harvey (Roger Torres,Sebastien Le Toux) First half stoppage time

TOR-Dwayne De Roasrio (Penalty kick) 82'