Message from Peter Nowak: Chris Setz’s job is not in danger. Nowak talks at length to goal.com about all things Union. The Inquirer has more.

Attendance at the new Red Bull Arena has been dipping since a high of 25,000 to the 13,667 who attended the 2-1 win over FC Dallas. Said Red Bulls managing director Erik Stove, “This dip was not a surprise to us. We have been saying it for months if not years – we have to do well on the field and the people will buy into what we said we’ll do all along.”  Stove continued, “It’s easier to be successful when you’re an expansion team like Philadelphia because you don’t have any demerits against you yet . . . People are more optimistic. You have the benefit of the doubt on your side. For us, we have overcome inconsistency.” So, I guess, rather than it being a case of “If you do not suck, they will come,” it’s a case of, “If you have a history of sucking, they will not come.”

In related news, tickets are available on the Union website for Saturday’s game at Red Bull Arena.

The Red Bulls expect to start their new Danish midfielder, Brian Nielsen, against the Union on Saturday. While conceding that Nielsen, who played his last competitive match in December, may not be match fit, Red Bulls coach Hans Backe thinks Nielsen should be good enough to make an impact.”

here.

The Bleacher Report says the Sounders lack a scoring punch and notes that Le Toux’s performance at the Union home opener “can’t help the team’s morale.” Pity poor Seattle. Maybe if more players practice falling over, things will start looking up for them?

ESPN is making a big investment in their belief that the 2010 World Cup will be a major tipping point for soccer in the US.  Forbes reports that, with 200 staffers from North America and Europe joining 100 local hires, the ESPN presence at the Cup will be greater than that of the BBC.

Carlos Bocanegra set to return from injury to play for Rennes this weekend. Meanwhile, Soccer By Ives reports that video has “surfaced” (on the AC Milan website) of Oguchi Onyewu training in Milan.

Sports Illustrated has a neat interview with Landon Donovan.

The Old Firm derby may have a summer date outside of Boston. Would it still be called a “summer friendly?”

A sex scandal involving members of the French national team and underage prostitutes is deepening.

The Bayern Munich v Lyon Champions League semifinal is live today at 2:30 p.m. on FSC.