Union/Independence/Local/MLS

Saturday’s goal by Shea Salinas has been named MLS Goal of the Week. 61% voted for the undeniably world-class effort.

Here are more photos of our gorgeous new stadium.

Chicago Fire defender CJ Brown talks about his former teammate of Peter Nowak ahead of the Union match on Saturday. “He was always a hard-nosed guy.”

Teen Vogue has 20 questions with Philadelphia Independence forward Amy Rodriguez. She’s pretty. And she loves shopping!

The Harrisburg City Islanders will host Brooklyn Italians in the US Open Cup on June 15. Last year the City Islanders made it to the quarterfinals—besting New England Revolution along the way—before being knocked out by DC United. On Wednesday night, DC United beat Real Salt Lake 2-1 to advance in the Cup.

Reading United beats Bermuda Hogges 1-0 on the road. “There were no ball-runners, no scoreboard, no second-half bench water, and a very vociferous fourth official who insisted that one ball is all that is needed for the match.”

It was a tough Wednesday for local high school soccer. In the PIAA State Class AAA girls’ soccer championship tournament at HersheyPark Stadium, Pennridge, Central Bucks West and Central all lost. In State Class AA boys’ soccer, Masterman and Christopher Dock lost.

MLS may be getting a new TV deal.

Bobby Convey gets his seventh assist of the season in the Earthquakes 2-2 draw with the Crew.

US/World Cup

Brad Pitt has joined the USA World Cup Bid Committee!

MLS Talk wonders who should start against Australia on Saturday. I’ve got two words for you: Jose Torres.

Jonathan Spector on the US defense: “I know we’re going to get there. but as I said, it will take a little bit of time.”

US defender Jonathan Bornstein could be leaving Chivas USA to play for Atlante in Mexico.

Here’s a look at the reinvigorated DaMarcus Beasley.

And here’s a look at the remarkable career-path of Jay DeMerit.

More opinion on the World Cup ball. From goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann: “a nightmare.” From midfielder Clint Dempsey: “I like the ball.” From blog hack Ed Farnsworth: “It’s too expensive for my wallet.”

Here’s Clint Dempsey on fellow Texan Jose Torres: “We call him Davy Crockett because he has a nice mullet and it looks like he has a raccoon hat on.”

If you are in the mood for a very thoughtful, well researched and in-depth look at why soccer is so important worldwide, read this piece from a hockey website. That’s right, a hockey website.

Soccer365 takes a deeper look at Claudio Reyna’s plan for youth soccer development in the US and finds it “misguided.”

Does this thing make me look silly?

US Soccer has rejected an offer to supply the team with free Stars and Stripes-themed Dreamhelmets, unfairly denying fans the certainty of many embarrassing photographs.

The press attache at the US embassy in Pretoria talks about “Football Fridays” in the embassy.

It’s started already: the US hasn’t played a single match at the World Cup and people are wondering if Bob Bradley will still have a job after the tournament. Here’s an interview with Jurgen Klinsmann, the guy US Soccer wanted for the job before Bradley.

Etc.

The Huffington Post looks at soccer anglophilia in the US.

And finally, two stories we surely have not heard the end of:

Arsenal rejects Barcelona’s bid for Fabregas.

Wishing to avoid paying him £16m in compensation as required by his contract, Liverpool have offered Rafael Benitez £3m to quit immediately. The club reportedly added, “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.”