Photo: Nicolae Stoian

US

The USMNT face Jamaica tonight in a World Cup qualifier(8pm, beIN Sport; replay at 11 on beIN Sport en Español). If you are a Comcast customer who subscribes to the Sports Entertainment or Multi-Latino package, beIN Sport en Español is on channel 583. Check out yesterday’s roundup for directions on how to get English language audio of the replay.

Look for our preview later this morning.

Jurgen Klinsman doesn’t seemed fazed by the absence due to injury of Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley for tonight’s World Cup Qualifier in Jamaica  “It’s something that is normal. There will never be a game where you have everybody at 100 percent. You always have to deal with injuries, maybe some players being not on form, “ he said, adding, “We’ll try to juggle things as well as we can. We’ve got a very good group and we know we have to give everything we have in order to beat Jamaica.”

The New York Times looks at some of the challenges facing the US in its qualifier series with Jamaica. SBI has another look at the game.

The US has never won in Jamaica but they’ve also never been beaten by Jamaica. Still, in Jamaica, confidence is high.

Coverage of tonight’s qualifier from the Jamaica Observer and the Jamaica Gleaner.

Here’s a look back at three big games, home and away, with the Reggae Boyz.

Carlos Bocanegra is the only player on the current roster who was with the team when the US last played in Jamaica in 2004.

Clint Dempsey says of the Jamaica team, “Anytime you play any team on their home soil in a World Cup Qualifier, it is always difficult because they got the fans behind them and they are fighting for an opportunity to be in the World Cup. It is a good team; they have players who are playing in a lot of different leagues; some in Europe, some in MLS (Major League Soccer) and they are a very athletic team, they have quality and it is going to be a tough team to break down.”

At SI, Grant Wahl checks in with Dempsey.

At ESPN, Jeff Carlisle has a great profile on Terrence Boyd’s path to the USMNT. Boyd, who grew up in Germany, had to get signatures from his estranged father, a former US serviceman, in order to get a US passport.

Also at ESPN, Roger Bennett talks to Geoff Cameron.

Heather Mitts sent out a tweet that lists the (unconfirmed) stops for the USWNT’s Victory Tour and Philly is not on the list. Very uncool, US Soccer, very uncool.

USWNT, and former Philadelphia Independence, midfielder Lori Lindsey is officially out, thanks to this wide-ranging and very funny interview. Asked if she’s experienced discrimination as a gay athlete, Lindsey says, “No, I actually haven’t. I’m not really sure why I haven’t — I don’t know if the soccer world is just a little more accepting.”

The Daily Journal talks to Vineland’s Jill Loyden, backup keeper for the USWNT.

The US will face Germany in the final of the Women’s U-20 World Cup on Saturday (6:10am, ESPNU, ESPN3).

Philadelphia Union

Many Union fans have called for young players such as Chandler Hoffman and Josue Martinez to see more time as the season draws to a close. John Hackworth explains, “My job is to put the best 11 on the field, my job is to prepare this team for the best chance to be successful. It’s really important for this group that we continue to do that and not just throw guys in there to give them opportunities, they have to earn it in training. When you hold that line consistent, players react to it. They all get a little better because of it. I don’t think we want to change that mentality and hopefully that allows guys the opportunity to step up their game.”

So why aren’t the Union scoring? Hackworth says, “It’s the toughest question in the sport. No matter what, we have to do a better job of executing in front of the goal. All you can do is work at it, improve it, make sure guys feel good about the work they put in so they have a little bit of confidence going into the next game. We’re encouraged by the number of chances we are getting. I keep saying it, but if we weren’t creating those chances, I’d think it was a much bigger problem. But we are creating them so we need to continue trying to find the back of the net.”

At the Inquirer, Marc Narducci examines the Union’s goalscoring woes. Did you know the Union are 1–10–1 this season when allowing the first goal? Yikes.

The International Business Times looks at the Union ahead of next week’s game against Toronto. The quotes in the article will be familiar to PSP readers.

Union players will wear gold shoelaces when they play DC at PPL Park in support of Go4theGoal Foundation. The Sept. 20 game is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Night.

The Inquirer talks to Haverford School senior Brett Campbell, who has spent time playing for FC Delco, as well as Reading United and the Union Academy U-18 team.

Here’s a preview of sorts of the US Development Academy 2012-13 season. Union affiliates FC DELCO, PA Classics, and Players Development Academy are in the Atlantic Division.

Local

At the Harrisburg City Islanders blog Upper 90, run by PSP friend Derek Meluzio, Union fans can find info on Lucky Mkosana and Nick Noble, two City Islanders now training with the Union.

Harrisburg City Islanders defender Bilal Duckett will be training with New England Revolution. Duckett was with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2011.

The U Penn men’s team host Air Force today and Hartford on Sunday as part of the Penn Soccer Classic. The team is currently 0–2–0.

The Daily Pennsylvanian notes that nonconference wins can help the U Penn women’s team secure an at-large NCAA selection. The Quakers host Marist today before playing at Drexel on Sunday.

The Villanova Classic takes place this weekend with matches between women’s teams from Villanova, La Salle, William & Mary, and Seton Hall.

The La Salle men’s team hosts Bucknell and Lafayette this weekend.

The Temple women’s team hosts Iona this afternoon before traveling to Princeton on Sunday.

MLS

Houston defeated Real Salt Lake 1–0 on Thursday with a penalty kick goal in the 91st minute and are now in third place in the Eastern Conference. In case you’re wondering, they are 19 points clear of the Union.

Here’s an article checking in with Justin Mapp, who’s been out with a hamstring injury since August 12.

At Grantland, the Designated Player ruefully accepts the appointment of youthful Caleb Porter as manager of Portland Timbers.

San Jose defeated San Luis in an exhibition game on Thursday with a 92nd minute goal from Chris Wondolowski, whose in a bit of a scoring slump in league play. Wondolowski said, “We’ll find out in nine days if I am over the hump or I am still behind the hump or if I am under the hump. As long as we keep winning I am a happy guy.”

Elsewhere

Stat minded readers may be interested in this post from Opta Pro about the Manchester City Analytics project.