Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

Sheanon Williams was named to the SBI Best XI for Week 28 and ProSoccerTalk’s Team of the Week.

Williams said of the Union locker room at the half in Saturday’s draw with Toronto, “(Coach Hackworth) let us have it like he should have. We didn’t play well in the first half and we know that. He didn’t need to say much for us to know that we didn’t play the way we are capable of playing.”

In the latest Inside Doop, Dave Zeitlin wonders what will happen to the team’s morale after they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. He also suggests that we may begin to see more playing time for Roger Torres and Chandler Hoffman.

The Union remain at No. 14 in SI’s power rankings. “The Union will claw and fight until the end of the season under coach John Hackworth, and that proved to be the case again as the club managed to find a late equalizer to salvage a point at Toronto in a heated match between two frustrated sides.” At SBI, they move up one spot to No. 13. “Four draws in five matches is hardly outstanding, but each passing result only serves to magnify the team’s drastic need for help at forward.”

Both the Inside Doop and the SI power rankings wonder if the Union will play the spoiler against DC on Thursday. If they do not win, they will tie an 8-game winless streak record they set last year.

Check out the first installment of Amobi Okugo’s new blog at Goal.com. Okugo discusses the good spirit in the locker room, the team’s confidence in Hackworth, how much he enjoys Philly (and its food). He also talks about the Danny Mwanga trade. “Danny and I were roommates and best friends so naturally we spent a lot of time hanging out together. I remember the day that Danny told me he got traded and I thought he was joking. Dealing with trades is a tough aspect in sports. One day we’re hanging out, playing video games and the next day I’m helping him pack his stuff to leave. It was crazy seeing Danny leave but dealing with trades puts everything in perspective for me. You never know what can happen. I can’t even imagine having to move your whole family while being traded.”

Zach Pfeffer and Zack Steffens went the full 90 in the US U-18s 3–1 loss to Club Brugge U-19s on Sunday. It was the final match of a four game tour that included wins over the Netherlands U-18s, and the Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund academy teams.

Antoine Hoppenot, along with John Hackworth and Zac MacMath, put on their acting shirts for this ad promoting Sunday’s game against Houston.

This just in from the Department of Awkward: The Chicago Fire have announced that Peter Nowak will be in attendance when the club celebrates its 15th anniversary during the Oct. 3 match against the Union.

Local

Temple’s Jared Martinelli was named Atlantic 10 and Philly Soccer Six Rookie of the Week after recording three assists and a goal in games against Manhattan, Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge last week.

Villanova’s Emerson Lawrence was named Philly Soccer Six Player of the Week after scoring two goal’s in the Wildcat’s 5-3 comeback victory over University of Pennsylvania on Friday night. It was Penn’s first Soccer Six defeat since 2009.

St. Joseph’s goalkeeper Andrew D’Ottavi was named Philly Soccer Six Defender of the Week after registering his first shutout of the season in the Hawks’ 3-0 win over Rider on Saturday.

Look for PSP’s Philly Soccer Six roundup later this morning.

MLS

For the fourth time this season, Thierry Henry was named MLS Player of the Week.

Real Salt Lake face Panamanian champions Tauro tonight in CONCACAF Champions League play (8pm, FSC).

After being out for a month with a hamstring pull, Justin Mapp returned to action for Montreal in the Impact’s 3–1 loss to to Chicago, entering the game in the 65th minute.

Marcus Tracy says he will be able to play for San Jose within a few weeks. “I’m not game fit but in terms of my knees everything is 100 percent at this point.”

Saer Sene, New England’s leading scorer, will be out six to eight months after undergoing surgery to repair the torn ACL in his left knee.

Last Saturday’s Portland vs. Seattle game on NBC earned the lowest ratings of the weekend for a live sporting event on a broadcast network, coming in with a 0.4 overnight rating. The friendly between the USWNT and Australia on Sunday earned a 0.5.

NY1.com reports Queens residents “packed the auditorium” to voice their opposition to plans to redevelop Flushing Meadows Corona Park, plans that include a new MLS stadium.

Women’s Soccer

Potential owner/operators for the proposed new women’s professional league met at MLS offices in New York with representatives from US Soccer, the Canadian Soccer Association, and the USL. US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said, “There is no definitive news at this stage, but it’s all been quite positive to date and we’ll continue those meetings. Time is short and we’re working quite hard to see if we can make that happen. It would have a greater involvement on the ground floor than it’s been in the past in the case for U.S. Soccer’s model for any league.”

Regarding the proposed league, Abby Wambach said after Sunday’s friendly with Australia, “We’re in a holding pattern trying to decide what our fate is.” Alex Morgan said, “We have to find club teams whether or not it’s in the U.S. or abroad. I’m open to going abroad if there’s no professional league here. It’s the right time for me in my career.”

US

Sunil Gulati says US Soccer hopes to announce the replacement for USWNT coach Pia Sunhage within the next 30 to 45 days.

There are four Morgans on the US U-17 Women’s World Cup team, which can understandably lead to some confusion on the field.

Elsewhere

Champions League action returns today with La Liga champion Real Madrid hosting Premiership champion Manchester City (2:45pm, FSC). SI looks at the many subplots surrounding the game. Also live today, Montpellier vs. Arsenal (2:45pm, Fox Soccer Plus).

Jonathan Wilson looks at how Russian money is starting to change the football map of Europe.

Sunday’s match between Velez Sarsfield and River Plate was suspended for ten minutes after hooligans attempted to invade the pitch around the 30th minute. Velez Sarsfield eventually won 2–0. The independent Argentinian group Let’s Save Football says that 11 people have died so far this year in football-related violence.

Before Monday’s match against Newcastle, Everton paid a very moving tribute to the Hillsborough 96. In case you’re wondering, the song is “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” performed by the Hollies. You may need a tissue, I did.

Everton tribute to the 96 who died at Hillsborough by emmysguysandgals