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  • This Philly chef goes crabbing in Sea Isle City every year

    This Philly chef goes crabbing in Sea Isle City every year

    Sitting on a skiff on the bay in Sea Isle City, chef Liz Grothe slowly pulled up a submerged string from the lapping waters while holding onto a half-eaten Wawa hoagie.

    On the string, a blue crab emerged, clinging to the severed fish head at the end of the bait holder, called a handline. The crustacean was too small for New Jersey’s recreational size minimum (3 inches long), Grothe and her companions determined. With a sigh, she dropped the crab back into the water.

    It was an hour into Grothe’s Sunday crabbing expedition, and her crew had already caught a handful of crabs.

    Chef Liz Grothe washing the day’s catch of grabs in the laundry-room sink of her partner’s family home in West Cape May, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. Grothe spent the afternoon crabbing out of Sea Isle City and was making dinner for the family
    Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    With bright skies and calm waters that day, she rented two skiffs from Bay Breeze Marina with her partner, Jacob Lance, and Lance’s family to embark on her favorite Shore hobby: crabbing on the bay — and later, cooking up her catch in Cape May.

    “We get all our ‘beach’ time down the Shore at the bay,” Grothe, who owns the Italian-ish Queen Village restaurant Scampi, said. “[The bay] is more like Oklahoma-style waters, where it’s just a shallow lake rather than like the rough seas of the ocean. So this is more my speed.”

    Grothe grew up catching catfish in the creeks of Oklahoma. But it wasn’t until six or seven years ago that an ex-boyfriend introduced her to Sea Isle City’s bay and its crustaceous inhabitants. “He took me on his boys’ excursion, which was crabbing,” she said. “We broke up later — being the kind of girl I am, I stole it. I go to the same place they rented their boats; we do it in the same way I learned.”

    Grothe named her restaurant after a seafood dish, so it’s no surprise she has strong feelings about crabs, the scavengers of the sea. Don’t expect these to show up on her menu, though — they are for personal eating only. The once-a-summer hobby lets her “touch grass, so to speak, and have something to do that’s not the harrowing day-to-day that we deal with in the kitchen,” she said.

    Being close to water was always a priority for her family — Grothe’s mom is originally from the Philippines. Her interest in seafood, however, comes from the love of catching and cooking it. “Eating is just the secondary part of the fun,” she said.

    “I’m in it for the love of the game, not the catch,” she said, while tossing the handline back into the water.

    Bay Breeze Marina rents a boat for $109 for four hours, including gas, cushions, anchor, paddle, cutting board, and a net. The rental also offers a map of the best areas to catch the crabs. It was a no-brainer for Grothe and crew.

    Around 10:30 a.m., she and Lance took one boat, and Lance’s brother and sister-in-law hopped into their own. (Grothe and Lance’s boat didn’t have a bucket, so they improvised, throwing their crabs into a cooler.)

    For four hours, the crew tossed their baited handlines in various areas of the bay — deep waters, shallow areas, just off the coast — to catch as many crabs as they could. They found that chunky pieces of bait — like the trout head — were the best lures.

    Chef Liz Grothe (left) as her partner Jacob Lance preps the corn at his mother’s home in West Cape May, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. They spent the afternoon crabbing out of Sea Isle City and were making dinner for the family
    Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    “What kind of music do crabs like?” Lance asked the group. “They don’t seem to be digging country.”

    “Crabs are chaos; try house music,” Grothe said. “I could see them vibing to it.”

    But Daft Punk and Prince were the “certified crab bangers,” as Grothe put it.

    By the end of the excursion, the crew caught more than a dozen crabs of varying sizes. After docking their skiffs, Grothe assessed which crabs were too small to keep and dropped those back in the water.

    Left with 14 crabs, the crew decided to supplement their haul with other catch for a big boil. They stopped by the fish market at the Lobster House in Cape May to pick up mussels, shrimp, and clams before heading to Lance’s mom’s house in West Cape May, where the live crabs were washed and tossed into the boiling water.

    The key to cooking a crab boil, according to Grothe: a lot of Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning. “Maryland and up, people use Old Bay. But if you go south, those who know reach for Tony Chachere’s,” said Grothe, shaking a big container of it into a pot inside the Lances’ kitchen. “Tony is a saltier, spicier, better Old Bay,” Lance added.

    Family members fill their plates at dinner by Liz Grothe, of Scampi, at her partner’s family home in West Cape May, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, after an afternoon crabbing out of Sea Isle City.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    By 5:30 p.m., the table was set with plates of steamed mussels, poached and steamed shrimp with a sungold tomato broth, calamarata pasta, boiled crabs and clams, gluten-free and regular cornbread, and tomato salad. The menu was prepared with leftover ingredients, including sungold tomatoes, basil, and butter from Scampi — “things that were going to go bad and that we had excess of, just a little something to share with the crew.”

    After an almost seven-hour expedition, Grothe and the Lances settled down on the backyard patio, cracking crabs and enjoying the fruits of their labor.

    “If you’re gonna go crabbing, that’s gonna be your activity for the day — you catch them, and then you gotta deal with them,” Grothe said.

    “Doing something that is very labor-intensive, sharing a part of me with other people that’s fun and interesting — even if it’s not the most industrious or profitable thing — is what I love about cooking,” Grothe added. “Just bringing the family together and showing them that I care via doing this stuff makes me feel good.”

    Chef Liz Grothe of Scampi (rear, center) and her partner Jacob Lance eat dinner at his mother’s house in West Cape May, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. At left are Lance’s brother and sister-in-law Shmem Rose and Zachary Rachelle, and on the right is his mother, Christina Johnson.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer
  • These Philadelphians used job benefits to go back to school while working full time

    These Philadelphians used job benefits to go back to school while working full time

    Ashley Boudreaux, an operations manager at Jefferson Health, would like to run a hospital someday.

    “I would really like to make it to the C-suite — be a CEO,” said Boudreaux, 37, who works at the medical group’s Philadelphia and Montgomery County sites.

    So, without quitting her job, Boudreaux pursued her undergraduate degree in health administration with the University of Phoenix. She graduated in 2023, and now she’s on track to get her master’s in business in November. She’s done all her coursework while working full-time.

    It wasn’t easy, Boudreaux said.

    “You’re just moving constantly,” she said. “When I look back, I’m like, I don’t know how I did it.”

    It helped that Jefferson provided some financial support for Boudreaux’s education.

    More than 40% of employers offer this benefit, according to Alex Alonso, chief knowledge officer at SHRM, a human resources association. That number has waned a bit in recent years, but some large local employers still do so.

    They include Comcast, which offers tuition reimbursement as an employee benefit and works with Drexel University to shape several master’s programs for tech workers. Another is Aramark, which covers up to the full cost of tuition for eligible hourly employees, and tuition assistance for salaried employees. And Philadelphia’s city workers get tuition discounts at more than a dozen local colleges.

    The majority of Philadelphia’s workforce haven’t graduated from college, though tens of thousands of residents have taken college classes without earning a degree.

    For many, completing a four-year degree would still prove beneficial, said Sean Vereen, president and CEO of nonprofit Heights Philadelphia, which connects young people with education and career opportunities.

    “The college degree is not the only way to get to economic success, … [but] there is a connection between your ability to have stronger credentials and your ability to move economically,” Vereen said.

    Sean Vereen of Heights Philadelphia. Paola Nogueras

    Why workplaces offer tuition assistance

    Federal tax incentives have encouraged employers to assist with education costs, said Alonso of SHRM. The benefit also helps companies compete for good hires, he noted.

    Most commonly, Alonso said, employers offer up to $5,250 per employee per year. That’s the maximum they can give toward education costs without the employee paying taxes on it. Workers are often required to show that the education is related to their job or career, so they “can actually bring back what they learn to their workplace,” he said.

    Sometimes getting additional education, including short-term microcredentials, are prerequisite to a promotion, said Phil Brooks, a vice president at nonprofit Graduate Philadelphia, which supports adult students.

    Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City Philadelphia is shown in this 2020 file photo. Heather Khalifa / Staff Photographer

    Hurdles for worker-students

    Getting a degree while working full-time can mean early mornings, later nights, giving up weekend time, or even using lunch breaks to squeeze in school work.

    Other challenges can include transportation for in-person programs or access to a computer and reliable internet connection, says Brooks. Students who owe money to a school where they were previously enrolled might also be held back from transferring or finishing their degree.

    Graduate Philadelphia sometimes helps students negotiate with schools to decrease that amount owed, “literally removing this barrier as much as we can,” Brooks said.

    Aspiring hospital executive Boudreaux’s advice? Don’t quit.

    “Slow progress is still progress,” she said. “A lot of times, when we start off on a journey, we see the entire staircase, but not realizing that it takes one step at a time to get to the top.”

    Getting the promotion

    When Nicole Henderson, 38, graduated high school, going to college right away wasn’t an option.

    “It just didn’t make sense for our family,” she said. “We just couldn’t afford it.”

    Years later, while working at a trading firm, she started pursuing a bachelor’s in accounting. But she put it on hold after a semester when she learned her employer, who encouraged her to go back to school, wouldn’t cover her tuition.

    Five years ago, while searching for work as an executive assistant, she saw a role open up at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia that didn’t require a bachelor’s degree. She got the job and soon felt the urge to continue advancing her career.

    “I’m now at this huge organization with all these opportunities,” Henderson said. “I was like, oh, man, eventually I’m going to have to have this bachelor’s degree.”

    Nicole Henderson in her home office in Darby. She went back to school while working full-time and recently earned her bachelor’s from Temple.Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer

    In 2023, she started working toward that undergraduate degree again. Her colleagues at CHOP were supportive, and she was given flexibility to tune into classes from work sometimes, or work remotely on the days she had a lot of studying to do. CHOP also reimburses a portion of her tuition and has a student loan repayment program. Without that financial support, Henderson says she wouldn’t have pursued the degree.

    She also got a scholarship from the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, which annually gives $5,000 to undergraduate women working at member organizations. Boudreaux, of Jefferson, was also a recipient.

    Juggling work and school can be exhausting, Henderson said. She slept through the day some Saturdays because her “brain was just so overloaded with information.”

    But she got her bachelor’s in business from Temple University in December and walked across the stage at graduation in May.

    Her classes gave her a new awareness of what’s important to bosses and leaders at her organization, she said, and “how to speak their language.”

    She also negotiated a promotion from executive associate to project manager, with a raise.

    Now she doesn’t have to wonder “how am I going to convince people that I’m qualified to do this?” she said. “I kind of already have this degree that says that for me.”

  • I deleted Instagram for two weeks. Now I see why people pay for Brick and other app-blockers

    I deleted Instagram for two weeks. Now I see why people pay for Brick and other app-blockers

    Within minutes of waking up, I can’t help but reach for it. The iPhone on my nightstand has a gravitational pull.

    I swipe through my Instagram feed before my eyes have even adjusted to daylight. Of course, there is nothing urgent in this sea of vacation pictures, pregnancy announcements, adorable dog videos, and ads for products I Googled the day before.

    Yet I can’t stop scrolling.

    Last month, I became hyperaware of my dependence on this unhealthy habit when I deleted Instagram — my millennial social media of choice — for two weeks. It was for “work purposes,” I told myself, and would inform this story about how much time and money some consumers have spent trying to pull themselves from their screens.

    I ended up deleting Facebook, too, after a day spent filling Instagram’s absence with rambling posts from neighborhood groups.

    After my experiment, I see why people are willing to pay to unplug from social media.

    Chen Wang, an associate professor of marketing at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, said she gets it, too. Not only because she observes the habits of her Gen-Z students, but also because she researches consumer technology and self-regulation.

    The human-smartphone relationship, Wang said, has become “a paradox.”

    “It makes our life so convenient. We can do almost everything on our phone,” Wang said. “At the same time, we’re also wishing we could use it less.”

    Why some pay to unplug

    Someone scrolls on their phone in this 2019 file photo.Heather Khalifa / Staff Photographer

    As consumers have become increasingly aware of how social media and screen time affects their mental health, a cottage industry of social-media-detox businesses has emerged.

    There’s the Brick, a $59 device that blocks distracting apps with the tap of your phone — and requires another tap to unblock. There are $50 “phone beds,” popularized by media mogul Arianna Huffington, that you can tuck your device into at night, ideally somewhere outside your bedroom, to discourage horizontal scrolling.

    And an array of phone applications — ironically — block other apps. Some of those app-blockers are free. Others offer paid tiers from $40 to $100 a year.

    Others struggling with social media overuse have spent hundreds of dollars on wellness retreats, where screen time is limited. In May, Cristen DeDomenico, a Philly-based bartender and therapist-in-training, spent about $1,300 to attend a weeklong retreat at the Kripalu center in Massachusetts.

    “It definitely involved turning off and stepping away” from the digital world, said DeDomenico, 35, who felt less tempted to scroll social media in the retreat environment. “No one else was on their phone, so you didn’t feel the urge to be on yours.”

    Suburban parents say they’ve been sucked into smartphone ‘whirlpool.’ Now, they want the devices out of schools.

    Closer to home, for a nominal fee, community leaders and small-business owners around the Philly area have been organizing social gatherings and workshops where attendees have to put their phones away.

    Glenside educator Charlie Price started her digital-detox and wellness business, Time and Space, during the pandemic, when she noticed her own bad phone habits while stuck at home. Price, 36, said she’d often scroll Instagram for more than 30 minutes at a time.

    Now, Price hosts regular events, including hikes and art workshops, for which people pay between $5 and $25 per person. Attendees abide by an honor system: Keep phones out of sight.

    The focus, Price said, is “getting together in person and in nature … getting out IRL,” — in real life, in internet parlance.

    What works best for reducing screen time

    A man looks at his phone while walking his dogs.David Zalubowski

    At its core, the solution to our scrolling problem is free: We all could just turn off, hide, or simply walk away from our devices.

    But, given the addictive designs of the social-media platforms on our smartphones, it’s not that simple.

    When it comes to cutting back on screen time, Wang, the Drexel professor, said research has found that outside motivation can be more effective than relying on self-control. This motivation can come from app-blockers or other strategies, such as changing your phone’s colors to gray-scale, which makes the scroll less appealing.

    “At the end of the day, we need some external outsourcing of self-control to help us do better, to curb our temptation,” Wang said.

    Some Philly-area residents yearn for the landline’s return as smartphones dominate

    DeDomenico said she learned that when she returned from her retreat. For the first few weeks, she was more present in her daily life, she said, but then old habits crept back in — and her post-work scroll got longer.

    I’ve found this, too, since redownloading Instagram. Grabbing my phone to check the weather or pull up a photo can quickly turn into a waste of 15 minutes or more on mindless swiping.

    I don’t think going cold turkey is the answer. I do enjoy those adorable dog videos and the funny reels, and the photo dumps from people I haven’t seen since grade school.

    After Wang’s reassurance about the effectiveness of external motivators, I’ve been reading more articles about the best app-blockers — and even toying with the idea of investing in one of them.

    Peace of mind is probably worth at least $50, right?

  • Tanner McKee outperforms Andy Dalton in the Eagles’ confounding backup QB competition. Will it matter?

    Tanner McKee outperforms Andy Dalton in the Eagles’ confounding backup QB competition. Will it matter?

    FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tanner McKee outplayed Andy Dalton despite having to work with the Eagles’ mostly third-string offensive line and skill position players.

    Nick Sirianni may claim that there has been a fair competition for the No. 2 quarterback spot, and that Dalton has started both preseason games only because he has more experience. But McKee hasn’t had the benefit of performing with players who will actually make the Eagles’ 53-man roster.

    And yet, he looked like a far more viable backup to Jalen Hurts than Dalton did in the Eagles’ 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots on Saturday night. McKee wasn’t without his faults. He missed throws from the pocket and struggled at times when pressured.

    Eagles grades vs. Patriots: Running backs have strong performance, QB2 role still undecided in 24-21 loss

    But it is worth questioning how Dalton could end up winning the job, let alone entice some quarterback-needy team into trading for him. There’s still another preseason game and a week until the roster deadline, but time is running out on the 38-year-old veteran.

    “We’ve got to continue to give both of them opportunities within practice and potentially games,” Sirianni said. “See how next week goes. Obviously, I’m not there yet.”

    While neither quarterback impressed in the preseason opener vs. the Ravens, McKee inched ahead of Dalton in practices over the last few weeks. Not necessarily because he’s been sharp.

    But he was more effective in joint practices with the Patriots last week, and even more so in the game two days later. McKee completed 16 of 22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns in a little over two quarters of action.

    “I know stat-wise he came out having a pretty good game, but obviously for all of us there will be corrections within it,” Sirianni said. “But, yeah, thought he did some good things. Made some nice plays. Had a couple fourth downs that we would have liked to convert.

    “Not saying those are his fault in that situation, but those fourth downs hurt us, not converting there.”

    Eagles offense shows growth in preseason game No. 2, backup QB race heats up in 24-21 loss at Patriots

    While it’s true that McKee’s pass numbers were inflated by yards after the catch, particularly from running back Carson Steele, he got the ball into the hands of his schemed-up outlets when “hot” vs. the blitz.

    One such play came late in the game when a defender rushed off the edge and Steele ran a wheel route rather than staying in to block. McKee simply lofted the ball to his open receiver and the tailback did the rest: running 20 yards into the end zone, but not until he hurdled another Patriot.

    “He found his shots on a couple when they brought one more than we could protect,” Sirianni said of McKee. “I thought Sean [Mannion] did a good job giving them answers there.”

    Tanner McKee (16) put together the sharpest QB performance for an Eagle in two preseason games. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Mannion dipped a little deeper into his playbook than he did in Baltimore to combat New England’s more exotic pressures. The Eagles’ new coordinator got a better outing from his offense than he did a week ago, but his game plan was still mostly banal.

    He didn’t have to dial up some of the more sophisticated concepts from the Kyle Shanahan-Sean McVay scheme because the Eagles had a decided advantage up front. The second-unit O-line, especially guards Willie Lampkin and Drew Kendall and rookie tackle Markel Bell, moved bodies and opened lanes for running back Will Shipley.

    Shipley’s 11 carries for 56 yards did most of the lifting on the Eagles’ first touchdown drive. Dalton did convert a fourth down with a 13-yard strike to wide receiver Darius Cooper.

    “That was one where [you] kind of get all the way back to No. 4 in the progression, and for me, felt like just the timing and rhythm of it was right there,” Dalton said. “Coop was in the right spot and just gave him a chance.”

    Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson, whose game was ‘on life support,’ quiets doubters with another strong showing

    Cooper also had a reception in which he turned a short crossing route into a 25-yard gain. But Dalton continued to overthrow open receivers and look out of sync in executing an offense that is similar to ones he’s quarterbacked in before.

    He’s now completed just 6 of 16 passes for 64 yards in two games. It’s a small sample. And maybe 179 starts and 84 wins over 15 seasons buys the longtime Bengal some patience with Sirianni.

    But the 26-year-old McKee showed more upside. He was drafted and developed by the Eagles for a reason. It would be uncharacteristic to give up on him, even if organizational assertions about his future as a possible starter were hyperbolic.

    Eagles quarterback Andy Dalton throws the football against the New England Patriots during a preseason game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    There’s nothing wrong with competition. But if the Dalton experiment was just to get more in return than the seventh-round draft pick the Eagles originally surrendered in acquiring him, they’ll only have themselves to blame if the eventual backup is called upon early in the season and fails.

    “I play when the coaches put me in,” McKee said. “Obviously, put my best foot forward, try to do all the extra things, whether that’s in the film room or on the practice field, staying late, talking with the guys, bonding, whatever that is. I let them decide all that.”

    Eagles reserve running back Ja’Quinden Jackson back with team after leaving field in ambulance

    Eagles general manager Howie Roseman may end up getting equal value or more for Dalton. The Patriots don’t exactly have an attractive backup in Tommy DeVito, although he looked better than either Eagles quarterback.

    It’s difficult to bring in someone new so late in the process, especially if there’s a new system to learn. The Eagles may keep all their quarterbacks, with rookie Cole Payton as the developmental fourth option — at least until they’re forced to do otherwise.

    But Dalton seems to be the only potential bait.

    “I think we’re focusing on the here and now,” Dalton said when asked about a trade. “All that other stuff is not what we’re worried about.”

    Nick Sirianni has not tipped his hand on a final decision for the backup QB role. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    The Eagles are running out of chances to showcase him. They could have allowed McKee to come out for the final series and drive the offense to a comeback win. But Sirianni said his quarterbacks were on a rep count and he wanted to give Payton a shot.

    The rookie was sacked and fumbled the ball to end the game, however, on his third drop.

    “We knew Cole made some nice plays the last game he was in,” Sirianni said. “Has to protect the ball better in that situation.”

    Saquon Barkley and Jordan Mailata want more rushing, less fighting. Both think the Eagles run game can be great.

    It’s been an interesting summer for the Eagles’ quarterback factory, with Hurts obviously at the front of the assembly line. He’s had good days. He’s had rough ones. He took his lumps in the joint practices and delivered a few, as well.

    But there remains a lot of uncertainty about how he’ll adapt to Mannion’s overhaul. Answers will start to come on Sept. 13 against the Washington Commanders. Until then, the backup competition will have to suffice.

    “I think that’s one thing that there is not much been said,” Dalton said when asked the final decision. “Every day is a new day, and so we’ll see how it all ends up.”

    Maybe it will come down to the wire. It probably shouldn’t.

  • Neil Pierre plays another huge game for the Union in Austin to keep the team’s unbeaten run going

    Neil Pierre plays another huge game for the Union in Austin to keep the team’s unbeaten run going

    As the Union and Austin FC traded wayward scoring chances down the stretch Saturday night, both teams’ fans probably assumed the other would find the net and take away a win.

    The number of opportunities that piled up was in part a reflection of the 98-degree heat at the 8 p.m. kickoff in central Texas. But the fact that neither team found a winner reflected that for all Austin’s firepower and all the Union’s momentum, they both entered the night with 5-10-5 records.

    You read here heading into the weekend that the Union still aren’t a good team quite yet, and that still stands for the moment. A game where substitutes Ezekiel Alladoh and Agustín Anello had more impact on defense than offense is proof.

    But that doesn’t mean the night was all bad for Ryan Richter’s squad, which now stands 5-10-6 (21 points) and three points below the playoff line. It ended in a 1-1 tie, and the unbeaten streak is now six games heading into Saturday’s visit to Red Bull New York (7:30 p.m., Apple TV).

    “It got a little wild at the end both ways,” Richter said afterward. “I think both teams could have probably gotten a goal, but the way they pushed through and were able to get a point in this game — we’re always going for the win, but for a week like this, two games on the road [and] home to Miami, to come without losing a game and and five points, that’s OK.”

    Two players stood out above the rest: Andre Blake and Neil Pierre. Blake made five saves, including a spectacular one in each half to deny what looked like certain Austin goals.

    Cavan Sullivan’s early goal earns the Union a 1-1 tie amid brutal heat in Austin

    Pierre took the headlines even from Cavan Sullivan, who scored his fifth goal of the year with a rare header. While the 5-foot-7 Sullivan jumped for his goal, the 6-foot-7 Pierre rarely had to leave his feet to stuff the box score: five clearances, three tackles, three blocks, three interceptions, 10 defensive recoveries, five duels won from seven contested, and 38-of-41 passing.

    The scouts who’ve been watching Pierre, whether from European club suitors or the U.S. national team, will feast on all that.

    Neil Pierre on the ball during Saturday’s game.Philadelphia Union

    “I thought he was our best player,” Richter said of the 18-year-old centerback. “The amount of shots that he blocked, times he stepped out of the [defensive] line, big clearances that he made, some of the interceptions that he had, he had a really solid game. So it was another good step for him.”

    Everyone knew how hot it was, even fans who watched from air conditioning on their couches. MLS made a smart decision in advance to delay the kickoff by half an hour, but even that only moved the thermometer from 101 to 98.

    The Union showed fight (literally) after being shown ‘a real lack of respect’ from Inter Miami. Will it spark a playoff run?

    It also put a spotlight on Richter’s decision to start the same lineup that started against Miami on Wednesday, and 10 of the 11 who started the previous Sunday at New York. He knew that was a risk, even if it’s becoming increasingly clear that at a lot of positions, the Union’s starters are a lot better than the backups.

    “It made it a hard decision, definitely,” Richter said. “I couldn’t sleep between Wednesday and today, trying to think what was the right decision to go with. But I decided to trust the guys to turn around again, and I think they did a good job in that.”

    Ryan Richter (left) talking on the sideline with Quinn Sullivan, who was one of the Union’s substitutes in the game.Philadelphia Union

    He was satisfied with the subs, too, including Anello and Alladoh. The defensive plays in question came in the closing minutes: a risky but successful sliding tackle by Anello, and Alladoh’s bodying of former U.S. national team striker Brandon Vázquez on a break into the box.

    “That was a pretty key play in the game,” Richter said of Alladoh. “I have to look exactly where he started when he started that run, but to make it all the way back … that’s all you can ask, is this kind of commitment. Anything to do to win a game, that’s what these guys did on this play.”

    The Union are fighting toward being a better team, but they’re not there yet

    Both Union strikers also had scoring chances that they didn’t convert, including Anello’s shot off a last-minute free kick that was blocked. But two players who don’t get much playing time were able to offer something from the opportunity they got.

    “‘Augie’ has been really patient with his role so far, you know, and tonight he came in and and he did a really good job,” Richter said. “This is what you can do, is make a case for yourself by being dangerous in these moments and looking like you can be the difference.”

    Asked if he wants to see more from Anello, Richter dialed things back a bit.

    “It’s not always going to come, of course,” he said. “When you sub in and play 20 minutes, you shouldn’t expect a goal every single week. But if you look dangerous, you’re getting opportunities, getting into the positions, putting the work in defensively, the goals will come.”

    If they do between now and November, this Union team could be even more interesting down the stretch.

  • Horoscopes: Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

    ARIES (March 21-April 19). Though you believe you still have much to learn, there are those who are impressed and moved by your generous spirit and novel way of seeing the world. They will seek your council and will your wise advice.

    TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Let playfulness and creativity run rampant in your mind and you’ll soon feel compelled to share what you come up with. Your best idea will be off the cuff, a sidenote or a joke that’s fun for everyone.

    GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Relationships get better because you make the effort to improve them. It’s the kind of work that feels pretty easy and yet also gets even easier and more pleasurable as you go.

    CANCER (June 22-July 22). What you most need today is the ability to focus, which is made easier when you think ahead to what might threaten your good attention and make some preemptive moves. With minimal disruptions, you’re unstoppable.

    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Things are ready when they are and not when we want them to be. This is made obvious today. It seems the more impatient you are, the longer you have to wait. But time speeds up when you distract yourself.

    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It doesn’t matter where you are in the giving circle, helping and being helped are part of the same energy. Neither is better or worse. They really aren’t that different either, when you get equally comfortable with both roles.

    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Nothing seems permanent. Doors open. Doors close. Doors open again and another hallway appears. In this situation, it’s a waste of time to fret because it’s very likely that every path leads to the same place. Keep walking.

    SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Just because the way you approach the day’s tasks will defy conventional wisdom, that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. In fact, your novel approach will make more sense in some ways. At the very least, it works well for you!

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Cold water on your hands interrupts racing thoughts. Same with bare feet in the grass or the first bite of a peach. Sensory experiences leave so little room for thought, they bring you fully to the present, where joy lives.

    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Boredom gets an unfair reputation. Today, it’s like an empty room that your imagination decorates, or a blank page your creativity writes a story on — epic, and filled with love and adventure and other events that are actually pretty likely to happen.

    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). For more excitement in a relationship, you take risks. But to feel good about taking risks, you need trust. Risk and trust seem like opposites. Then again, a trapeze artist flies through the air because someone is there to catch them.

    PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You enjoy helping people grow. Today, you’ll watch someone’s face change as they embrace a new idea. Few things satisfy you more than witnessing the moment things get figured out and knowing you played a part in it.

    TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 23). Welcome to your Big Bouquet Year, when opportunities pop up like blossom varietals — fresh, inspiring and attracting just the kind of visitors you want: helping hands, friends, romance and dream customers. More highlights: Savvy political moves in every circle you enter, good communication and excellent follow-through land you in the money. Much more entertainment and travel than in year’s past. Gemini and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 20, 50, 17 and 4.

  • Dear Abby | Friends’ mental states differ wildly after childbirth

    DEAR ABBY: My best friend and I got pregnant, each with our first child, with our due dates a week apart. We felt blessed to be going through this amazing experience at the same time. Our babies are now 2 months old. I am adjusting well to motherhood. I feel it’s coming naturally to me. My friend is having the opposite experience. Ever since the birth of her daughter, she has been distant, anxious and depressed. She’s a different person. I don’t know how to help her. I don’t know what she’s going through. To make matters worse, she told me that when I make comments about being super happy and loving breastfeeding (as she struggles with it), she thinks I am rubbing it in her face. I care about her dearly, but am I not allowed to speak my truth because she’s struggling? How do I support her and still be forthcoming about my own positive experience?

    — ONE OF TWO NEW MOMS

    DEAR ONE: There may be a physiological cause for your friend’s anxiety and depression. Childbirth can lead to a hormonal imbalance that can be corrected. It’s important that she talk to her obstetrician about the negative emotions she’s experiencing. Please don’t wait to urge her to do this, because the problem could worsen. Allow me to offer a final thought: You would be a more sensitive friend to her if you share your joy at being a new mother with friends other than this one — at least for a while. You don’t need to censor your social media, but please find other things to talk about when face to face with her.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have friends we consider our “BFF couple.” The husband, “Brian,” recently became unemployed, which has left him more time to travel. Brian and his wife fly to see his dad in Florida several times a year. Although they live an hour closer to the airport than we do, Brian asks every time for my husband to drive them to and from the airport. My husband is retired, so his schedule is a bit freer than most, but now he is driving much longer to drop off and pick up than it would take this couple to use Uber or, even better, park their car in remote parking. It’s not a financial issue for them because they fly on his dad’s points and Brian’s wife makes twice what I do.

    I have argued with my husband over this and told him he doesn’t need to be their cab driver simply because they feel entitled to his time and are too lazy to park their car at the airport. The wear and tear on our car and the promises of gas money that never appears exacerbate my frustration. Am I wrong to stand my ground on this issue with my husband?

    — NOT YOUR CABBIE

    DEAR NOT YOUR CABBIE: I agree that this couple could stand to be more self-sufficient and considerate, but your husband’s time is his to spend as he pleases. As long as he doesn’t break any engagements with you to help them out, why not just admire his generous spirit? That said, given recent gas prices, you might suggest that he collect the gas money up front moving forward.

  • Cavan Sullivan’s early goal earns the Union a 1-1 tie amid brutal heat in Austin

    Cavan Sullivan’s early goal earns the Union a 1-1 tie amid brutal heat in Austin

    The Union couldn’t make the most of Cavan Sullivan being allowed to play against Austin on Saturday, but they at least made something out of it.

    Sullivan scored in the 18th minute of a 1-1 tie, in a game played amid 98-degree temperatures in Texas’ capital city. It had been 107 during the day, and the kickoff was pushed 30 minutes later to try to mitigate things a little.

    It did, but only some. At the originally scheduled 7:30 p.m. local time, the thermometer read 101 degrees.

    Union interim manager Ryan Richter decided to send out the same starting lineup that started Wednesday against Miami at Subaru Park — and 10 of those same 11 also started in New York last Sunday.

    The Union are fighting toward being a better team, but they’re not there yet

    The man who blew the opening whistle was also of interest. Referee Rodrigo Albuquerque was working just his second MLS game. His first was in mid-May. Albuquerque has spent the rest of this year officiating on a wide range of other American circuits, including the NWSL and second-tier men’s USL Championship.

    Fortunately, he didn’t need to get too involved in the early stages. The teams took care of themselves, each scoring off a corner kick play. Sullivan opened the scoring with a header in the 18th minute, and Brendan Hines-Ike responded by beating Frankie Westfield on a jump in the 21st.

    That would have been for the lead if not for a brilliant Andre Blake save on Myrto Uzuni’s attempt in the 14th minute, followed by Jon Gallagher shooting the rebound across Blake but hitting the far post.

    Albuquerque did get involved twice in the first half, booking Jesús Bueno and Neil Pierre.

    Richter made the night’s first substitutions, subbing in Jovan Lukić and Quinn Sullivan for Bueno and Indiana Vassilev in the 57th minute.

    The Union showed fight (literally) after being shown ‘a real lack of respect’ from Inter Miami. Will it spark a playoff run?

    Austin counterpart Davy Arnaud went for it in the 63rd, sending veteran strikers Brandon Vázquez and Facundo Torres in to seek a winner. They had been rested to start since Austin (5-10-6, 21 points) plays a Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Mexican power Toluca on Wednesday in northern New Jersey.

    Richter made another double-sub in the 74th, Agustín Anello and Ezekiel Alladoh for Cavan Sullivan and Bruno Damiani. That shifted Quinn Sullivan to the right attacking midfield spot, and he promptly took advantage with a 21-yard smash that Austin’s Brad Stuver leapt to palm away.

    The home team was inches from the lead in the 83rd when Blake made a rare fumble of a bouncing ball, but Pierre made one of his many clutch plays on the night with a clearance.

    Alejandro Bedoya was the last Union substitute, replacing Milan Iloski in the third of six minutes of second-half stoppage time.

    Blake came up huge again in the 94th with a diving save on Uzuni, who had broken past a tiring Nathan Harriel. Then the Union (5-10-6, 21 points) went the other way, got a free kick, and Anello’s shot in the box was blocked.

    That was finally the end of a long night, and a long week.

  • Eagles grades vs. Patriots: Running backs have strong performance, QB2 role still undecided in 24-21 loss

    Eagles grades vs. Patriots: Running backs have strong performance, QB2 role still undecided in 24-21 loss

    FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Instant grades on the Eagles’ performance in their 24-21 loss to the Patriots:

    Quarterback: C+

    Jalen Hurts and the starting offense got the night off after getting plenty of work in two joint practices with the Patriots. Andy Dalton made his second straight start ahead of Tanner McKee. He was once again erratic as a passer. Dalton completed just 3 of 10 passes for 44 yards. He had a couple misfires in which he overthrew Eagles receivers on the first drive. Dalton had a strong throw to convert an early fourth down. But he failed to recognize an unblocked blitz in the second quarter and never looked in sync. He hasn’t done enough to win the No. 2 job.

    McKee took over before the half. He was more effective than Dalton, but far from great. McKee was most productive when he got the ball out quickly or to running back Carson Steele. He struggled at times when he went beyond his first reads from the pocket. But he was decisive on schemed-up layups off play-action and misdirection.

    Eagles offense shows growth in preseason game No. 2, backup QB race heats up in 24-21 loss at Patriots

    In all, McKee completed 16 of 22 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He held the ball too long and took a sack before the half. He also got pressured out of the pocket on third down in the fourth quarter and threw wide of his safety valve.

    Rookie Cole Payton didn’t play until the Eagles’ last-gasp possession. He stepped back into a game-ending strip sack.

    Eagles running back Will Shipley celebrates a touchdown with center Jake Majors during the second quarter on Saturday night.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Running back: A-

    Tank Bigsby was one of several healthy Eagles who didn’t dress after playing in the preseason opener. That meant Will Shipley got the nod in the backfield. He picked up where he left off in a strong joint practice performance. Shipley rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. He ran with vision and motored 18 yards off the right on his first carry. Shipley kept his legs churning on a later 9-yard rush and on his 5-yard touchdown.

    Steele looked nimble with the ball in his hands after short throws from McKee. He hurdled a defender on a 14-yard catch and run in the second quarter. Steele had the Eagles’ longest reception, for 28 yards, in the third quarter. And he scored a go-ahead 20-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter. Steele finished with six catches for 84 yards. It was tougher sledding on the ground. He averaged just 2.8 yards a carry.

    Receiver / Tight end — C-

    Makai Lemon was still out with a hamstring injury. The Eagles are hoping their top draft pick will be healthy enough for the preseason finale on Friday. Hollywood Brown, like Bigsby, got the night off after playing a week ago. Elijah Moore was sidelined with a neck injury he suffered on Wednesday. Darius Cooper looked better than he did against the Ravens. He had a 25-yard pickup with yards after the catch on a short crosser in the first quarter. Cooper also converted a short fourth down with a 13-yard catch in the soft spot of a zone.

    Eli Stowers has yet to pop. It’s still early for the rookie tight end. But it’s clear that he has a way to go as a blocker and a receiver. He had no chance vs. a Patriots edge on an early one-on-one block attempt. But Stowers helped clear out a lane for Shipley on his 5-yard score. He was covered on two targets through the air.

    Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey scored on a screen pass before the first half ended.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Receiver Britain Covey scored a 14-yard touchdown just before the half when he navigated into the end zone after a screen pass. Quez Watkins couldn’t reel in a Dalton pass that was catchable. Cameron Latu had some nice moments as blocking tight end. He also had a 14-yard grab. Tight end Stone Smartt caught five passes for 37 yards. Receiver Erik Ezukanma committed a personal foul with a crackback block in the fourth quarter.

    Offensive line: B-

    Willie Lampkin started at center. He had several impressive moments when he climbed to the second level and bottled up linebackers. Drew Kendall started at left guard. He appeared to hold up as a run blocker, as well, particularly on Shipley’s touchdown. The interior pass protection was also solid when Lampkin and Kendall were in the lineup. They were pulled in the second quarter and are roster locks.

    Rookie Markel Bell continued to show promise at right tackle. He helped create a hole on Shipley’s 18-yard tote. The 6-foot-9 Bell still has to work on getting out of his crouch, but he moves well for his size. He got upended at one point, but stayed in the game. Fred Johnson was Bell’s counterpart at left tackle. He didn’t allow any obvious pressure to Dalton’s blindside. It’s unclear if Bell or Johnson has done enough to be the clear swing tackle.

    Jake Majors started at right guard and later played some center. He helped lead the way on Shipley’s 18-yarder. But he struggled with a block that led to a tackle for loss on a run play in the first quarter.

    The second unit O-line was up and down. Tackles Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams and guards Micah Morris and Michael Jordan kept McKee relatively clean in the pocket. They had more issues in opening holes on the ground for Steele. Williams was the guilty party that allowed the game-ending strip sack of Payton.

    Defensive line: B

    Ty Robinson notched his second and third sacks of the preseason. He split the center and the left guard and gobbled up Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito on the first and stunted outside and closed quickly for the second. Robinson is no longer “on life support.” He’ll make the final roster. Defensive tackle Gabe Hall drew a third-down holding penalty after running a twist on the Patriots’ opening series. He had several run stops.

    Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson, whose game was ‘on life support,’ quiets doubters with another strong showing

    Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa started at outside linebacker. Epenesa was effective in setting the edge against the run. They each played just a few series. Jose Ramirez batted a pass incomplete on a naked bootleg in which he was unblocked. Joshua Weru registered a sack with a strong outside rush in the third quarter. In run defense, he got pushed around some when setting the edge.

    Rookie Uar Bernard still has a lot to learn. But it’s not like the defensive tackle has looked alien out there. Tarron Jackson teamed up with another Eagles defender for a run tackle for loss in the third quarter. Zion Wilson drew a holding penalty on the first play from scrimmage. He had an early run stop for no gain.

    Linebacker: C+

    Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was in the backfield at the snap and DeVito had no chance to avoid a sack early on. He an additional four tackles before he was taken out in the second quarter. Smael Mondon took a bad angle on an early screen pass. He blitzed once and nearly got home.

    Chance Campbell was on the field after Trotter left. He defeated a lead block to make a run stop near the line in the second quarter. He tallied seven tackles. Deontae Lawson showed occasional good instincts against the run. He got cut down on a 20-yard rush up the middle late in the third quarter.

    Patriots wide receiver Nick DeGennaro scores a 37-yard touchdown past Eagles cornerback Isaiah Bolden late in Saturday’s preseason game.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Cornerback: D+

    Mac McWilliams started on the outside opposite Kelee Ringo. He gave up a number of early catches and whiffed on a tackle attempt in the second quarter. Ringo should have had an interception on the first DeVito pass thrown in his direction. He didn’t give up much else.

    Ambry Thomas had brutal back-to-back plays in the second quarter when he slid off a receiver and then got toasted on a go route by Patriots receiver Kyle Williams for a 69-yard touchdown.

    Shaun Wade got beat for a 24-yard reception in the second quarter. He punched the ball out for a fumble in the fourth quarter and led the Eagles with 10 stops. Kapena Gushiken came up and made a few strong run tackles from the slot. Isaiah Bolden, who was just signed to the roster a few days ago, got burned on the Patriots’ game-winning 37-yard touchdown. There was no safety help

    Safety: C+

    Michael Carter II started at safety and played just one series. His versatility has assured him a spot on the team. Rookie Cole Wisniewski played in his first NFL game after missing a few weeks of camp. He looked solid upon first glance and had four tackles. Wisniewski and Andre Sam didn’t get beat in the post. Sam made a number of plays near the box. He’s had a solid summer and could sneak onto the 53, or at least the practice squad.

    Maximus Pulley has been one of the more promising undrafted rookies. He didn’t stand out, good or bad, at safety. He’s also a nice special teams performer.

    Special teams: B

    Ja’Quinden Jackson suffered a serious injury on the opening kickoff of the game. The Eagles running back required medical attention from both teams and eventually had to be placed on a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance to a local hospital. The team later said he had strength and movement in all his extremities.

    Kicker Jake Elliott connected on all three extra points. The Eagles’ kickoff coverage was sound. Punter Braden Mann averaged 42 net yards on four boots. Covey muffed his first punt return, but was able to avoid a fumble. He bounced back with a 21-yard return on his next try. In all, Covey averaged 9.5 yards on four returns.

    Nick Sirianni shown before the Eagles-Patriots preseason game.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Coaching: C

    Nick Sirianni, to no surprise, opted to not dress his starters on both sides of the ball. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel did the same. The Eagles looked more cohesive and prepared than they did a week ago, although it’s difficult to place much stock in the preseason. They still lost another game. Aside from Jackson, there weren’t any apparent significant injuries.

    Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion called plays from the booth a week after doing so from the sideline. He favored the ground game with Shipley and the O-line having early production. The dropback pass game left much to be desired, however. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s group was relatively sharp. The front seven was physical and got push and penetration. There were some sloppy moments throughout the game, as was to be expected.

  • Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson, whose game was ‘on life support,’ quiets doubters with another strong showing

    Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson, whose game was ‘on life support,’ quiets doubters with another strong showing

    FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Three days ago, Vic Fangio blasted Ty Robinson with a backhanded compliment when asked about the defensive tackle’s strong first preseason game.

    “Yeah, he came to life,” Fangio said. “He’s been on life support since he’s been here, but he came to life and hopefully that will continue.”

    After Saturday, it’s clear Robinson is alive and well.

    The 25-year-old put on a show in the Eagles’ 24-21 preseason loss vs. the Patriots at Gillette Stadium, logging two sacks, four tackles, and three quarterback hits. Through two preseason games, Robinson now has three sacks, four quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss.

    Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson sacks Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito during the second quarter on Saturday. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    So, did Robinson hear what Fangio said?

    ”I did,” Robinson said. “And you know what, I’ll take that as a compliment. He’s not wrong. Last year I had to find myself. I was on a scout team just understanding how the NFL worked and going up against a pretty good offensive line, so getting to work against those guys and just get better. It’s obviously showing that it’s helped.”

    Fangio’s analysis wasn’t wrong. The 2025 Eagles fourth-round pick (111th overall) was buried on the depth chart a year ago, logging just 34 defensive snaps and totaling five tackles and one QB hit.

    At the beginning of training camp, he took reps with the developmental group — a clear sign he was sliding down the depth chart. The ex-Nebraska standout looked like a candidate to miss the 53-man roster all together.

    Everything changed with a string of great practices and an excellent preseason showing.

    Early in the first quarter last Saturday, Robinson blew past Ravens guard Emery Jones Jr. to sack quarterback Tyler Huntley. In the days leading up to the Ravens game, Robinson showed his ferocity in another way when he had a brief skirmish with guard Tyler Steen after a one-on-one rep.

    Eagles grades vs. Patriots: Running backs have strong performance, QB2 role still undecided in 24-21 loss

    Against the Patriots, Robinson ran the same stunt twice to bring down quarterback Tommy DeVito two times in the second quarter.

    The Eagles still have a loaded defensive tackle group. Don’t expect Robinson to dethrone Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo or even Byron Young anytime soon.

    But for the first time since he turned pro, Robinson is showing promise — which surely pleases general manager Howie Roseman, who spent an early Day 3 pick on him last year.