Union/Local

FC Delco Hammerheads will play Ohio’s Crew Juniors today in the last game before the U-19 2010 US Youth Soccer National Championship on Saturday. The Hammerheads have won both of their previous two matches in the Championship while Crew Juniors have won one and tied one. Regardless of the outcome of today’s match, because the third place team has only one point, both the Hammerheads and the Crew will appear in the Final. You can watch the Final live on Saturday at 9pm on FSC. Check out the FC Delco website for more information about the team and the club. Come on you Hammerheads!

As reported last night by the PSP, the Union have finally signed Argentinian midfielder Eduardo Coudet, much to the delight of this impatient fan. This brief report from the Daily News gives a list of the 35 year old veteran’s former clubs. At least now we now know his nickname is “Chacho” and his name is pronounced “eh-DWAR-doe Koo-DEHT” Allow me to be the first to say it: Philly loves Chacho. Get it? You know, like the TV show, Joanie Loves Chachi? Never heard of it? I’m an old man…

Union Jack McInerney has been loaned to the Harrisburg City Islanders ahead of their Saturday match against the Charleston Battery.

Here’s a look at backup keeper Brad Knighton.

Saturday’s WPS match between Philadelphia Independence and Sky Blue FC will be shown on Comcast SportsNet live from 7pm. A 30 minute feature on the rivalry between the two teams will air on It’s Your Call with Lynne Doyle the day of the match.

Delaware County has raised its hotel tax to help pay off the $30 million it borrowed to contribute to building PPL Park.

MLS

The 2010 MLS All-Star team jersey, soon to be discounted at a soccer shop near you

Bobby Convey, midfielder for San Jose Earthquakes and graduate of Penn Charter, has been selected for the MLS All-Star team to replaces the injured Jonathon Bornstein.

The 2010 MLS All-Star game jersey has been unveiled. Can’t say that I’m a fan but, then again, I didn’t care for the Union’s second kit until I saw one in person.

Thierry Henry took the subway to his New York Red Bulls impressive debut on Thursday night. This report also name-checks Union supporters for the stupid and utterly juvenile “You suck, asshole” cheers that were directed against Tottenham’s goalie. Yeah, I know it’s done at every soccer stadium in the country…yawn. Here’s more reaction to the “You suck…” cheer. Yawn…Sorry about that. There’s more here…Yawn. I can’t decide what’s more boring, the desire to paint every Philly soccer fan as a lout because of one group’s “cheer” or the comments defending the…yawn…”cheer.” Oh  God, here’s another one…Yawn.

This piece from the Miami Herald says that if MLS wants legitimacy, Henry is not the answer.

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics has released its 2010 ranking of the world’s soccer leagues and MLS comes in at 88th out of 115. The Premiership is no longer ranked number one. The top five leagues, from first through fifth, are Spain’s La Liga, Brazil’s Serie A, Argentina’s Primera División, Italy’s Serie A and England’s Premier league.

Here’s a look at five things the MLS does better than the EPL.

Inter’s Marco Materazzi may make a move to MLS.

Etc.

The South African Football Association may have to stop using the Bafana Bafana nick name because of copyright issues.

France keeper Hugo Lloris says he and his teammates were “totally stupid” for going on strike during the World Cup. True, Hugo, but you were also so entertainingly and stereotypically French when you did so. Totally.

This weekend’s Footy on the Telly™

Friday, July 23: Manchester City v Sporting Lisbon, 8:30pm on FSC.
Saturday, July 24: Philadelphia Independence v Sky Blue FC, 7pm on CSN.
Saturday, July 24: US U-19 Championship Final – FC Delco Hammerheads v Ohio Crew Juniors, 9pm on FSC.
Sunday, July 25: New York v Manchester City, 3:30pm on FSC.
Sunday, July 25: Kansas City v Manchester United,  6pm on FSC.