Union

The Union reserves lost 2-1 to Columbus yesterday. Jack McInerney scored in the 14th minute for the U.

PennLive has videos and info on Harrisburg goalie Chase Harrison, who will be training with the Union today. Harrison also runs AskTheGoalkeeper.com.

The Shin Guardian offers up a wonderful breakdown of the current MLS playoff picture. They expect the Union to get in, but only if they keep winning at home and grab a point or two on the road.

Drew Epperley calls the Union one of the big winners this weekend. Hey, after the past 2 months we will take any kind of winners we can get!

Charles “The Gooch” Gooch looks at the Eastern Conference standings by points per game, which puts the Union in second place. This Friday’s opponent, KC, is .01 behind Philly in points per game.

MLS

Nicolas Anelka’s agent confirmed he is interested in a MLS move next season. Anelka would be like Carlos Ruiz multiplied by ten. Ten times more offense and ten times more seemingly indifferent attitude.

The Best Eleven has a list of MLS defenders with 10+ career goals. The Union’s Danny Califf is currently sitting on 8. Let him take PKs!!

MLSTalk runs through the current playoff picture and notes that the #10 seed would currently have to travel to Dallas, win, then head over to LA. Yeah, let’s do our best to avoid that scenario.

Don Garber said MLS is hoping to get a $100 million fee for the 20th expansion team. Which, again, will be a second New York team. Which makes so much sense.

Garber didn’t merit much notice in a recent LA Times piece on most effective/powerful commissioners. Those polled said that the commissioner’s job has become equivalent to a CEO in recent years.

US

Stu Holden will return to the field today for the first time since a gruesome knee injury. Holden will feature in Bolton’s Carling Cup match.

Oguchi Onyewu continues a recent trend of resurgent US players scoring abroad. Gooch scored the winner for Sporting CP in a come from behind 3-2 win.

The Shin Guardian offers a lengthy and informative report on the current state of the US youth program, something Klinsmann has promised to focus on.

Joel Petterson says USWNT coach Pia Sundhage is using the current crop of friendlies to tinker with her lineup and tactics.

The US women continue to be amazing role models as they treat dedicated fans to autograph and photo sessions wherever they go.

Etc.

Europe’s 53 soccer playing nations are meeting to discuss the current system for international friendlies. Clubs are putting pressure on the countries to reduce the number of international fixture dates that interfere with club schedules.

YahooUK discusses the idea of a 3-man defense, a possibility that was thrown around a bit during the Union’s preseason run.