Photo: Michael Long

Philadelphia Union

The Union are in Reading tonight for the annual friendly with their PDL affiliate. Reading midfielder Kedeem Deacres told the Reading Eagle, “We’re going to have to go out there and get after it because some of those guys are trying to earn minutes for the Union, so they’re looking to prove themselves just as much as we are.”

Previews from PSP, ReadingUnitedAC.com, Philly Soccer News and Union Dues. WFMZ TV 69 has a video preview.

Of course, the Union head into tonight’s friendly after Wednesday’s big win. As Jeff Parke said, “To get three points and to separate ourselves from teams close to us, that’s huge. That was a six point game there. It’s a great step in the right direction…if we only came away with one point tonight, it’s not good enough. We’re at home, we want to get three points every time we play here. What better than to play against a team that’s close to us in points and to separate ourselves a little bit of cushion and some confidence coming into some big games.”

At South Jersey Times, Eric Goldstein looks at Sebastien Le Toux’s league-leading assist tally. League-leading goalscorer Jack McInerney said, “It really just says that we have a lot of talent on the team. We have to work together. Those kinds of things only come along when you’re playing well, and we’re not playing that well right now; so if we keep doing what we did (against the Crew), just imagine what the numbers could be.” McInerney added, “I think that him being a forward, he knows the runs Conor and I like to make. He puts the balls where we want them.”

Le Toux said, “We have Conor and Jack who are very mobile in the box and they just need a little space to score goals, and having me on the right side good things happen because I can cross in. It is a good spot for me right now to contribute offensively. I knew I could play this position and I like the freedom that I have…Right now I am more confident to give passes but I have already proved that I can score goals. The other team knows that if you give me space on the outside I can give a good ball or I can go in and score.”

At Delco Times, Matthew De George talks to Roger Torres who, with given the upcoming friendlies and US Open Cup game, sees his brief return to the field in Wednesday’s win as a turning point. “I showed him that I want to be there,” Torres said, “I always work for that, so I kept working hard and when he decides to put me in, I just have to be ready for that…It was good for me to get some confidence in that game that we’re doing a good job. Just thanks to the fans, thanks to the coach and thanks to the fans who have been there for me all the time. … It’s so good because it’s different when you are in the 18 and you don’t get the chance, you can’t show him that you deserve to be in there. With those 10 minutes that he gave me today, I got onto the field and I can show him that, like I say, I can be there.”

At Union Tally, De George checks in with Aaron Wheeler after making his MLS debut on Wednesday. “I could say it was well worth it to get that kind reception from all the fans and everything That just makes all the hard work, all the two-a-days from preseason, the last three months just training, just waiting for your opportunity, it just makes everything worth it. All I can say is that the fans and everything, the atmosphere is just the perfect situation. It’s all you can ask for when you make your debut.”

At the Inquirer, Marc Narducci discusses how both the size of Wednesday’s scoreline, and the fact that players other than one Jack Seamus McInerney were on the score sheet, are both good things, even if we all know, as a smiling John Hackworth said, “He should have scored.”

More on the significance of the goal scoring load being shared from The Sports Network.

You may have seen the footage, or the photo in PSP’s photo essay of Wednesday’s game, of Sheanon Williams hugging some fan in the stands after his spectacular goal. Dave Zeitlin asked him if he knew who the fan was. A laughing Williams replied, “I don’t know. That guy was so about it. So I was like, ‘All right dude, you get a hug.’ I don’t know who that guy is. But it was a good celebration. And I’m glad he was happy.”

Harrisburg City Islanders blog The Upper 90 shares the Sheanon Williams love.

More match reports from Wednesday’s win? Why not? Here are more reports from DelawareOnline.com, phillyBurbs.com, Philly Soccer News, The Examiner, Union Dues, Soccer Desk, football411.com, and FIFA.com.

Local

Harrisburg City Islanders’ home stand continues on Saturday night when they host Colorado Rapids Reserves (7pm, USL Live)

At the Patriot-News, Michael Bullock looks at why Harrisburg was able to finally beat Wilmington Hammerheads for the first time since 2005.

Ocean City’s Abe Keller made the PDL Team of the Week after a goal and two assists in the 3-2 win over Westchester. Honorable mentions went to the Nor’easters Tapiwa Machingauta and Tony Asante.

MLS

From the Department of Why Couldn’t The Union Get That Guy, DC United have picked up left back Alain Rochat from Vancouver for a measly second round draft pick in 2015 and a conditional pick in 2016. More on the Rochat trade from Vancouver Sun.

Jonathan Tannenwald catches up with Philly-born Bobby Convey, who’s now with Toronto.

Long Island Newsday on the New York Cosmos.

NWSL

Portland Thorns move into first place with a 4-3 win over FC Kansas City.

ESPNW looks at why Merritt Paulson and Portland Thorns are a perfect fit for NWSL.

The Daily Journal checks in with Vineland native Jill Loyden. The Sky Blue FC and USWNT goalkeeper talks about soccer’s place in her life after dealing with injury and coping with a horrific personal tragedy.

US

The USMNT, who moved up one spot to No. 28 in the latest FIFA rankings, will look to advance their World Cup qualification campaign down Jamaica way tonight (9:20pm, beIN Sport).

DaMarcus Beasley said, “It’s not going to be a pretty game. It’s different players, but it’s the same old mentality we need—that grinding, never-give-up attitude. We want to make it as tough as we can on the other team.”

Previews of tonight’s qualifier from PSP, SI, Penn Live.com, Soccer America, Shin Guardian, and Goal.com.

Here’s an important bit of information to keep in mind while watching tonight. The following US players will be suspended for one game if they receive a yellow card: Michael Bradley, Brad Davis, Clint Dempsey, Fabian Johnson, Graham Zusi, DaMarcus Beasley and Matt Besler.

At ESPN, Doug McIntyre recounts some bad USMNT memories in Jamaica.

How does Clint Dempsey feel about being the captain of the USMNT? Dempsey said, “I don’t personally feel any different. [My mentality is],’Go out and win and represent your country well.’ That’s always been my focus…I would say that there’s more responsibility and pressure on you. You’re looked to be one of the leaders on the team.”

Dempsey tells ESPN’s Roger Bennett, “It’s an honor but it wasn’t something I always dreamed of as a kid…not at all. I want to win. Winning is more important to me than being captain.”

Soccer America talks to Dempsey about playing soccer as a kid.

Also at ESPN, Jeff Carlisle on the evolution of Jermaine Jones.

At Sports on Earth, Colin McGowan goes behind the scenes of ESPN’s production of last weekend’s USA v Germany game. Yes, they did cut off President Obama, and yes, you did miss the first few seconds of the second half.

Here’s breakdown of MLS salaries and results in the US Open Cup, in case you’re interested.

Elsewhere

For listings of where to watch the week’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, check out the latest Footy on the Telly.

The AP reports, “Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr has apologized to Jordan’s ambassador after the country’s football coach was detained by customs officials at Melbourne’s international airport for about four hours despite having a valid visa.”