Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

At the Delco Times, Matthew De George looks at how the Union went from a complete performance in the 3-0 win over Columbus last week to looking so ineffective in the 3-1 loss to DC United in the US Open Cup on Wednesday.

At Penn Live.com, Michael Bullock on Don Anding after his debut for the Union in a meaningful match, Wednesday’s US Open Cup loss to DC United. Anding was one of the few bright spots for the Union.

Brotherly Game has a tactical analysis of Wednesday’s loss.

Local

On Saturday, Reading United host Ocean City Nor’easters in what is sure to be a cracker of a match (7pm, Exeter Township High School’s Don Thomas Stadium). First place Reading and second place Ocean City are both undefeated in league play. Check out these previews from PSP and Ocean City.

Harrisburg City Islanders host Antigua Barracuda on Sunday (4pm, USL Live). Following the game, Harrisburg’s U-23 will play Newtown Pride in a charity match to benefit Newtown Parent Connection.

Penn Live.com’s Michael Bullock will be hosting a live Q&A with Harrisburg’s Morgan Langley today at 2pm

Ocean City forward Anthony Asante has been named to the PDL Team of the Week. Receiving honorable mentions from Ocean City are Ken Tribbett and Bryan Billing. Reading United’s Larry Ndjock and Manolo Sanchez also received honorable mentions.

Region I qualifiers for the USASA National Cups will take place at the Ukrainian American Sports Center in Horsham, Pa, on Saturday and Sunday. The National Cups, which will take place July 19 and 21 in San Antonio, include the US Open, Amateur, Over-30 & Under-23 Cups. Click here for schedule information.

The four new additions to the Penn men’s team have been ranked the No. 25 recruiting class in the country by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Penn Charter has named former Germantown Academy girls soccer coach Darci Borski as its new girls’ soccer head coach and associate athletic director.

MLS

DC United’s Chris Pontius will miss Saturday’s match against Toronto (7pm, Direct Kick, MLS Live) after receiving a concussion in Wednesday’s US Open Cup fourth round 3-1 win over the Union. Ethan White (hip flexor) and James Riley (adductor) are also out. Dejan Jakovic and Kyle Porter are questionable.

In other Eastern Conference play over the weekend, Columbus hosts Montreal, also on Saturday (7:30pm, Direct Kick, MLS Live) and Vancouver hosts New England (10pm, Direct Kick, MLS Live).

In the US Open Cup game that was postponed to Thursday because of inclement weather, Chicago Fire defeated Columbus Crew 2-1.

Toronto have placed midfielder Terry Dunfield on waivers.

Ruben Diaz Jr. wants MLS to make NYCFC’s home in the Bronx rather than in Queens. The Bronx borough president believes Yankee Stadium would make a good home but will help the league find a location for the team to have a stadium of its own if that’s what it takes. More from MLSsoccer.com, New York Daily News, New York Business Journal, and NY1.

Capital New York looks at some of the ambitious moves made by New York Cosmos, including the signing of former Spanish international midfielder Marcos Senna.

NWSL

The league announced on Thursday that Fox Soccer will broadcast nine matches over the end of the season beginning on July 14 and concluding with the semifinals on August 24 and final on August 31.

US

At the New York Times, a good read about how the US and Mexico find themselves in different roles in this qualification cycle.

At Soccer America, Ridge Mahoney’s look at the USMNT win over Panama begins, “Just as far too much angst and worry were expressed in the wake of a 2-1 loss to Honduras in February, the amount of euphoria and adulation lavished on the 2-0 defeat of Panama Tuesday is probably a bit much. But only a bit.”

At MLSsoccer.com, Jonah Freedman has three reasons why it’s looking like a safe bet that the US is guaranteed a trip to the 2014 World Cup.

Ahead of the USWNT friendlies against South Korea on Saturday (7pm, ESPN3) and Thursday (7:30pm, NBCSN), ASN’s Maura Gladys wonders if the team is peaking too soon. I’m gonna go with a no.

Elsewhere

The Confederations Cup gets underway on Saturday with Brazil vs. Japan (2:30pm, ESPN, Univision). Check out the latest Footy on the Telly listings for more match times.

Soccer America previews the tournament ‘s participants.

A dispute over bonus payments saw the Nigerian team refuse to leave its hotel to board a flight to Brazil on Thursday. Intervention from Nigeria’s sports minister saw the dispute resolved and the team will now leave for the Confederations Cup on Saturday before playing—cough—Tahiti on Monday (2:45pm, ESPN, Univision, ESPN3).

The Sports Network wonders when CONCACAF will step up and punish Mexico fans for throwing everything from coins to bags of urine at opposition players at the Azteca. “Supporters endangering the safety of players is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated, and yet a blind eye is being turned despite years of atrocious behavior from a faction of Mexican fans.” Interesting note: Mark Geiger was the referee at Tuesday’s qualifier between Mexico and Costa Rica.