Photo: Barb Colligon

Philadelphia Union

With the Union’s playoff hopes finished, the team’s focus has begun to shift toward the 2013 season. John Hackworth said, “With some of the players, as we go through the next couple of months, it’s important that we have some very honest conversations about where they are and where they stand and what their options are going forward.”

JP Dellacamera writes, “In the remaining nine games, while trying to win, Hackworth will be evaluating the team with an eye towards the 2013 season. Who does he want to return? Who does he want to weed out? Does he want to try a player or two in a different position, or change his formation? Does he look to make a trade before the September 15th deadline with that trade being more about next year, rather than this season?”

Many will want answers to these questions sooner rather than later—season ticket holders received renewal notices on Tuesday.

Dave Zeitlin writes at MLSsoccer.com, “[Amobi] Okugo noted one goal for this season is to finish strong and make sure Hackworth finishes the 2012 campaign with a winning record, even if the Union don’t.”

Brian Carroll was named to MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week. “You won’t see him put up gaudy numbers, but there can be no doubting Carroll’s importance to the Union.”  Michael Farfan received an honorable mention.

Speaking of Michael Farfan, he’s in the discussion in the Central Winger column about who could fill the No. 8 role with the USMNT.

More power rankings. At ProSoccerTalk, the Union come in at No. 15, which is where they remain at MLSsoccer.com. The rankings at the league website says, “Amobi Okugo’s development as a central defender has been the best story of the season’s second half for Philly.” At Soccer America, they Union drop one spot to No. 16. SB Nation, who has the Union at No. 14, says, “it appears that Peter Nowak’s personnel decisions were just too much of a hill to climb.”

US Soccer Players take on Saturday’s draw at New England: “Philadelphia completed a lot of passes and had lots of possession. Freddy Adu touched the ball often and had three times as many successful as unsuccessful passes. Matt Reis was good in goal. Philadelphia has nice away uniforms.”

The latest Union Academy newsletter is available and includes info on the successful Generation adidas Cup campaign.

Jorge Perlaza expects to sign with Millionaros on Thursday.

Local

The USL PRO All-League first and second teams have been announced. Getting the first team nod was Reading’s Corey Hertzog, on loan from New York Red Bulls to Wilmington Hammerheads. Harrisburg’s Lucky Mkosana was named to the second team, as was Pittsburgh Riverhounds’s Matt Kassel, who has been training with the Union.

With three straight wins to start the season La Salle men’s team players took three of the first of the weekly Philly Soccer Six awards. Jason Plumhoff earned Player of the Week honors, John McCarthy (Northeast Catholic) was named Defender of the Week and Joe Farrell (Wissahickon) was named Rookie of the Week.

Drexel’s Matheus Goncalves and Civanni Moss have been named CLEAR Athletes of the Week.

Addressing growing concerns about the dangers of concussion, CBS 3 reports that players on the Downingtown’s Strath Haven girls’ team are wearing protective head gear, much like the kind worn by Carlos Valdes.

MLS

Looking at the imminent arrival of Eidur Gudjohnsen in Seattle and Christian Wilhelmsson in Los Angeles, Goal.com’s Kyle McCarthy observes, “Navigating through the mire of the MLS player acquisition process often produces inconsistencies and puzzles too difficult to reconcile in any sort of consistent manner.” He argues such signings “underscore all of the longstanding concerns from smaller clubs about how the current setup favors a few chosen teams capable of enticing players at a steep discount and squeezing them within a selectively accommodating salary budget structure.”

Federico Higuaín has been named the Player of the Week for the second week in a row. Damn, he’s good.

Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander is likely to complete his purchase of the Dynamo “relatively soon.”

US

Jonathan Tannenwald reported on Sept. 4 that Philadelphia Comcast customers who subscribe to either the multi-Latino package or the Sports and Entertainment package will have access to the Spanish-language beIN Sport channel in SD on Thursday, Sept. 6. But hold on, USMNT fans, beIn Sport en Espanyol will not be showing Friday’s qualifier against Jamaica live. A delayed broadcast will air at 11:45pm on Friday. Tannenwald reports that the date of the English language channel and live stream launch is not known, but he “got the distinct impression” that Comcast would try to have them available by the time of the qualifier against Antigua & Barbuda on Oct. 12.

When I called Comcast customer service to find out what channel number beIN Sport en Espanyol would be, I was told a number had not yet been assigned and to call back on Thursday. I was also told that the English language channel would be available “at a later date.”

Soccer America says to “brace for fireworks” during Friday’s qualifier in Jamaica.

Grantland looks at the success of Clint Dempsey, noting, “From the standpoint of player development, what’s so compelling about Dempsey is that he succeeded outside of many American development initiatives.”

Dempsey is reportedly being paid $22.2 million for his three year deal with Tottenham.

Following their historic defeat of Mexico, the US moves up three spots to No. 33 in the latest FIFA rankings. Mexico drops three spots to No. 21.

At ESPNW, Julie Foudy says that the calm and assurance that Pia Sundhage brought to the USWNT  were her defining strengths.

With Sundhage’s departure, the Guardian wonders who’s next for the USWNT.

Elsewhere

More on the sadness of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney ate all of the pies. Or drank all the bevvies, anyway.

Will Alessandro Del Piero have the same kind of impact on the Australian A-League that David Beckham has had on MLS?