Photo: Earl Gardner

If you haven’t already, read PSP’s match report on the Union’s emphatic win over Sporting Kansas City. It includes video of John Hackworth’s postgame press conference and locker room interviews. Look for analysis and player ratings and a photo essay from the game later this morning.

Philadelphia Union

“Breakout.” “Brushed aside.” “Pounds.” “Thrash.”  “Throttles.” “Rout.” These are a few of my new favorite words.

Jack McInerney said of his slow walk off of the pitch when he subbed out after a two-goal effort in the Union’s win on Saturday, “It felt great to hear that ovation.” He added, “That was one of the best moments of my career. I didn’t want it to end.”

Amobi Okugo said of McInerney, “You can tell by his facial expressions after those goals how happy he was. I’m happy for him. It’s great he got rewarded to get the opportunity to play and then justify why he’s in the starting 11.”

McInerney said of the goals, “I’m not that fast and I’m not that big so I have to put myself in good spots. I was able to jump on a couple sitters tonight, which shows what kind of forward I am.”

Antoine Hoppenot admits, “I was just happy to get drafted,” and says of his emerging role on the Union, “I love coming in with 20, 30 minutes left. Right now that’s my thing. I can go out there and just completely gas myself out because 20, 30 minutes is not that much time. It’s perfect for me. I can go out there and sprint, sprint, sprint and make something happen.”

Lionard Pajoy said, “Whatever the coach wants me to do, I’m happy to do so – even defending – and especially when I can contribute a goal.”

Freddy Adu said, “It feels good to win, man. It just feels so good to finally come out, play our game and get a big win. It’s huge, everyone brought it.”

John Hackworth said, “We had those chances last week and they didn’t fall for us, but tonight they did. And the defensive effort on the other side was fantastic.” He added, “I’m so proud of the guys. They played great and it was a great team effort all around. Excellent performance.”

Given all of those goals, it’s easy to forget how well the defense played. Hackworth said, “Carlos Valdes was fantastic all night long, the leadership and composure from him and Amobi Okugo. Ray Gaddis and Gabriel Farfan were setting the tone early.”

Said Kansas City coach Peter Vermes, “We weren’t good. We just weren’t good tonight.”

More match reports and recaps from the Union website, MLSsoccer.com, The Mercury, SportingKC.com, Kansas City Star, Kansas City Infozine, the Sports Network, Goal.com, SBI, Soccerway, ProsSoccerTalk, the AP, Philly Soccer News, SB Nation Philly, Examiner, Delaware Online, MLS Talk, and Union City Blue.

The Union will have a quick turnaround for US Open Cup play on Tuesday. Said Okugo, “We can’t dwell on this win too much. We have to recover and get ready for Tuesday to see Harrisburg. They know us well, we know them well. It’ll be a good game.”

This year’s Army-Navy game will be played at PPL Park on September 30. Not that one, the Army-Navy soccer game.

Local

Reading United are winless in three games following Sunday night’s 1–1 draw with Long Island Rough Riders.

Harrisburg City Islanders, who will face the Union on Tuesday night in the US Open Cup quarterfinal match at PPL Park, had two road games over the weekend. On Friday, they faced Orlando City, losing 3–0. (More on the game here and here.) The next day they faced Charleston Battery, losing 3–1. (More on the game here and here.) The Union’s Greg Jordan and Jimmy McLaughlin both played 90 minutes for the City Islanders in Friday’s game in Orlando.

The Patriot-News talks to City Islander’s goalkeeper Nick Noble.

MLS

In the Eastern Conference, second place New York caught up with first place DC on points with a game in hand after defeating them at home on Sunday, 3-2. Kansas City is in third place after losing 4-0 to the ninth place Union. Chicago remains in fourth place after defeating sixth place Columbus 2-1. Fifth place Houston lost 4-2 to eighth place Montreal. Last place Toronto gave up the lead to draw 2-2 with seventh place New England.

Seattle are winless in seven games after losing 2-1 on the road to Portland.

The Goat Parade looks at how Danny Califf’s “leadership, passion and intelligence have sparked a renaissance in the back for Chivas USA.”

Goal.com examines the obstacles soccer in America faces in terms of attracting top athletes who might otherwise choose to pursue a career in one of the country’s other top sports. Thierry Henry has some thoughtful comments on the subject.

Stoke City is talking to Geoff Cameron.

Alessandro Nesta says he wants to play in MLS but the league won’t have him. “I don’t have a shot to play in MLS. I tried to play [in the league] but I never received any offers.”

Didier Drogba thinks MLS is better than the Chinese Super League. “The footballing has improved a lot in America. So it wasn’t about the [quality], it was a personal choice and my decision.”

Women’s Soccer

The Philadelphia Fever lost 2-0 on the road to West New York Flash on Sunday.

Here’s a review of Beyond Bend It Like Beckham, Timothy Grainey’s book about women’s soccer.

US

Heather O’Reilly, who will be writing a blog for the New York Times, recounts the recent USWNT trip to Sweden.

Carli Lloyd reflects on how Title IX benefited her.

At MLS Talk, Earl Reed looks at how the troubles at Rangers will affect its US players.

Elsewhere

So, it is Portugal vs. Spain on Wednesday, Germany vs. Italy on Thursday in the semifinals of Euro 2012 (2:45pm, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3, ESPN Radio).

on the Union’s emphatic win over Sporting Kansas City