Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

PSP is hosting a Union vs. Kansas City viewing party tonight at the 700 in Northern Liberties. The party is being sponsored by El Jimador, and they have generously made four tickets to the final game of the season on Saturday available to us to give away. The fun gets underway tonight at 7:30pm.

On the drive over to the 700, be sure to listen to The 90th Minute radio show on 610 WIP. Philly Soccer Show podcast co-hosts Greg Orlandini of KYW and PSP’s very own Eli Pearlman-Storch will be among the guests.

Philadelphia Union

2013 season tickets are now on sale.

Look for PSP’s preview of tonight’s match in Kansas City later this morning. In the meanwhile, here are previews from Union Dues, Brotherly Game, Kansas City Star, SB Nation Kansas City, The Daily Wiz, The Sports Network,

Here’s a video preview from Sporting KC.com.

John Hackworth said of tonight’s game, “We are certainly not going into the night quietly. We are going to push as hard as we can. And no matter who we put on the field on Wednesday, we want to win that game, especially coming off a subpar performance and unacceptable result. We’re going to go for it on Wednesday night.”

What’s the “no matter who we put on the field” part of the quote all about? Gabriel Farfan and Sheanon Williams are both listed as questionable in the latest injury report.

Hackworth expects KC to field the strongest team possible. “I think Kansas City is going to have to play their best team on Wednesday night. I think they’ll want to do that anyway, just so they have some momentum going into the playoffs. But I think they need to now. They have to get a point to secure the championship in the East, so I would suspect that we’ll see their best team on Wednesday.”

Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said of the Union, “I expect them to be dangerous, because they can let it all hang out if they want. That means they can go after it and send numbers forward. That’s stuff we’re going to have to deal with over the course of 90 minutes. We have to be really locked in.”

JP Dellacamera says the Union need to finish the season on a high note.

Michael Lahoud says a strong finish is a “necessity,” adding, “I really don’t want this season to end because I personally have a vendetta. We are playing two teams that we can prove a lot against and when those games are done and we’ve proved it, then I can rest. Right now, I can’t do that.”

Jack McInerney’s future plans with the Union are clear. He tells Chris Vito, “I want to score as many goals before the end of the season, because I want to be out there as the center striker next season. It’s my goal to score every game and make sure I prove myself to the fans because you always hear stuff about bringing in a goal scorer or a DP.”

McInerney’s take on talk of a DP. “You definitely hear stuff and see stuff. A lot of it never seems to come true. Fans want a DP or a proven goal scorer. I don’t blame them.” He adds, “If I keep doing what I’m doing, it’ll be OK.”

Hackworth says of McInerney, “He’s a young player still. He’s doing a lot of great things out there but he’s still young and still has a lot more to learn in this game. I don’t think we’ve come close to seeing the best of Jack McInerney yet.”

McInerney comes it at No. 11 in the Castrol Weekly Top 20 and No. 14 in the Full Index. The next four highest ranked Union players in the Full Index are Zack MacMath (No. 59), Amobi Okugo (No. 88), Gabriel Gomez (No. 112), and Sheanon Williams, (No. 114).

ProSoccerTalk spreads the Carlos Valdes love.

More power rankings: The Union remain at No. 13 at Soccer America. At Sporting News, they rise to No. 13 from No. 15. ProSoccerTalk has them at No. 14, just as MLSsoccer.com does.

Chivas USA blog The Goat Parade reacts to Tuesday’s fan editorial at the Brotherly Game calling for the return of Danny Califf. “Certainly, it is a thought-provoking editorial, but isn’t there something unseemly about trying to poach a player from another team? Obviously, it is hard to imagine the Union front office will seriously try to re-acquire Califf this season, and certainly Califf was a beloved player for Union fans, but this seems to be pretty over-the-top, doesn’t it?”

Local

At CBS Philly, Matt Leon looks at the La Salle women’s team’s dominating play in the A-10.

In Philadelphia Catholic League quarterfinal play, Father Judge topped Archbishop Wood 2–1 in double overtime. Archbishop Wood will face the Philadelphia Public League’s Class AA champion for the PIAA District 12 AA championship on Nov. 1 with the winner of that match advancing to the state playoffs.

MLS

This must read from ESPN recounts how in September, Chris Seitz put his season and career on hold to donate bone marrow for a recipient he had never met who needed the transplant in order to survive. Top man.

Houston Dynamo advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions league with a 1–1 draw with Honduran side Olimpia. Real Salt Lake needed a win to advance but drew 0–0 with Herediano of Costa Rica.

Sounder at Heart brings some perspective to Seattle’s record-setting attendance numbers, which this season averaged 43,144 per game.

Chivas USA have appointed Jose David as president and Jose Luis Real as supervisor of soccer operations.

Columbus Crew are looking for investors.

ESPN looks at the rebirth of soccer in Kansas City.

While Danny Mwanga is frustrated by a lack of playing time in Portland, he makes one thing clear: “There’s not any other team where I want to be (with). I want to be here next year.”

LA Galaxy say they are not pursuing Frank Lampard.

More Andrey Arshavin to MLS talk.

US

The USWNT played to a 2–2 draw with Germany on Tuesday evening in Hartford, Conn.

Speaking before the game, US Soccer President Sunil Gulati said he thinks a new USWNT coach will be announced on Nov. 1.

Concerning the proposed new women’s professional league, Gulati said, “I think over the next 10 days, we’ll have some interesting things to say there as well. It’s very important that we have a place to play, not only for these players, but for the next 20 and 40 and 60 and I think we’ll accomplish that.”

In a candid interview with ESPN, Landon Donovan says, “I’ve struggled with motivation at many points in my career. I’ve had times where it all came easily but there have been stretches where I have questioned it.”

Will he be with the US for the 2014 World Cup? “I don’t have the answer to that. There are a lot of moving pieces: Will I be playing, period? Will I be part of the team? Will I be good enough to be wanted? If I had to guess I would say it is 50-50. I will have more clarity after I take a break.”

Sporting News reflects on Donovan and says the USMNT needs him more than he needs it.

Elsewhere

It was more insane Champions League action on Tuesday and today promises to be no different. For listings of today’s live games, check out Footy on the Telly.

Nike is selling Umbro to the Iconix Brand Group for $225 million.