Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Union

From a conference call with reporters on Wednesday:

• Noting that the roster compliance deadline is March 1, Peter Nowak said, “The roster is not in place yet – we still are working on some things that could improve our roster offensive and defensively.”
• Nowak said, “Having a forward or even grabbing another defender is still in the works…Of course we’d like to have the perfectly balanced roster, and we are trying to do our best to accommodate that.”
• ‘Roster changes’ doesn’t just mean roster additions. Nowak clearly indicated that it is likely some players currently on the roster will be cut: “[I]t’s a decision that we have to make with some of our other guys right now in the sense that some of these guys will make it and some of them will not. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the reality of the situation.”
• Speaking about Danny Mwanga, Nowak pointed to the need “to explore more options with Danny soccer-wise,” adding, “He is one of those guys that needs to constantly be reminded that the whole defense starts with the forward – the first line of defense…That’s something that we need to work on. Of course, we need to give him the flexibility and freedom to appear in different parts of the field so he is not only a pure striker.”
• Nowak also praised the intensity of new defensive signing Carlos Valdes.

With the MLS schedule due to be announced later today, rumors on Twitter say the Union will host the Energy Drinks on April 9. We shall see.

The Union have moved the location of their training camp from Orlando to the Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex in nearby Deltona. This afternoon’s exhibition match against the University of South Florida, scheduled for 3:30pm, will also take place there. More on the facilities can be found here. Interesting note: the Dewey O—which is how I like to refer to the sports complex ever since I first heard of it this morning—also hosts the annual Eggstravaganza and ever popular Halloween Spooktacular.

The guest on the latest podcast from the Brotherly Game is Daily News reporter Kerith Gabriel.

MLS

San Jose Earthquakes have signed Chris Wondolowski to a new deal.

Two veterans of New Zealand’s World Cup campaign, Simon Elliott and Andrew Boyens, have signed with Chivas USA.

Vancouver made its first international signings on Wednesday, 22-year-old Tanzanian winger Nizar Khalfan and 19-year-old Ghanaian central midfielder Gershon Koffie to bring their roster of signed players to 16.

On Wednesday, the Energy Drinks defeated Atlante FC on penalty kicks.

Following their hard fought draw with LA Galaxy in an exhibition match on Tuesday, the Portland Timbers have returned home with confidence. The team will officially unveil Kenny Cooper today.

NASL

NASL board members said on Wednesday that they are confident the league will be re-sanctioned as the second division of professional soccer in North America when US Soccer’s annual general meeting starts on Friday.

What happens if the league is not sanctioned by US Soccer? According to Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo, “there is no Plan B.”

US

The future of the the attacking potential of the USMNT looks strong: “With the U-20 team overstuffed with exciting forward, winger and No. 10 prospects gaining the cultured confidence required for top-level success from first-team tutelage worldwide, that day could soon be on its way.”

The Shin Guardian talks to US Soccer president Sunil Gulati.

Elsewhere

Here’s a roundup of Wednesday’s international friendlies.

Real Madrid and Barcelona top the Deloitte Money League, which “ranks clubs purely based upon the revenue they bring in rather than the wealth of their owners or profit and loss from 2009-10 accounts.” Seven of the top twenty teams are in the Premiership.

The former owners of Liverpool, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, were in London on Wednesday seeking approval from the High Court to pursue their $1.6 billion damage claim.

Last Sunday’s match between Chelsea and Liverpool set a new ratings record for Fox Soccer Channel.

Do you use Twitter to keep up-to-date with the goings on from the world of soccer? SI’s Grant Wahl has put together a list of reliable sources.