Union

MLSsoccer.com has given mid-season grades for the Union, rightly concluding they have looked better than their record shows. Top grades (A-) to the forwards, lowest (C+) to the midfield, with two B-‘s to round things out. Just to be fair, I would give the fans and the new stadium an A+. How would you grade the season so far?

His ex-teammate Marco Pappa may not have been surprised by his transfer, but Justin Mapp was.

Two recent New England signings, the Serbian Ilija Stolica and the Brazilian Roberto Moreira Linck, will not join the club in time for Saturday’s match against the Union. No word yet on why the Brazilian uses three names instead of one. If you can’t go to the game you can watch it on 6abc from 3:30pm on Saturday.

WHYY questions why construction of the $30 million mixed retail and housing development that is supposed to happen along with the construction of PPL Park has not begun. A spokesman for the developer, the Buccini Pollin Group, offers the rather weak answer that they’re focusing on the construction of the off-ramp from the Commodore Barry Bridge. Councilman Andy Lewis has some pretty sharp words to say.

Local

There’s an absolutely fantastic interview in the Daily News with here.

MLS

The Daily Mirror says that Landon Donovan has “admitted” that he wants to return to Everton, this time permanently, which really isn’t much of a surprise. Equally unsurprising is that the article does not contain a single quote to substantiate its headline’s claim. That’s the British tabloid press for you. Unfortunately, the “quality” press over there is doing little better.

Seattle Sounders have signed Uruguayan midfelder Alvaro Fernandez as their third designated player. Fernandez made four appearances in the 2010 World Cup.

Reuters looks at the strategy behind the recent spate of DP signings.

Philly born and bred Bobby Convey, who came in for Sebastien Le Toux in Wednesday’s walloping of the MLS All-Stars by Manchester United, is familiar with the EPL giants from his time at Reading. “It’s always shocking the first time you see them because you are playing against guys you see in a video game.”

WPS

Regular readers of the PSP daily news roundups will be aware that attendance at WPS matches has been a problem this season, with figures down some 15% compared to last year. It was announced earlier this week that WPS has eliminated several front office jobs at the league level including New Media Manager, League Office Manager/Assistant to the Commissioner, in addition to jobs in marketing. Marketing efforts will now be directed at the local level in an effort to “provide the best structure for continued growth of the teams with an emphasis on attendance increases and franchise development. That has led to the decentralization of a few functions outlined by the Board to the teams.”

US

a piece looking at some of the young standouts on the U-20 team.

recently wrote about why Bradley should coach in Europe.

New Brazil coach Mano Menezes will bring only four of the 24 players who competed in the World Cup for the friendly. Bradley will announce the US roster on Monday or Tuesday.

Etc.

American-abroad Jon-Paul Pittman scored a hat-trick in four minutes for League Two side Wycombe Wanderers against a Chelsea XI in 5–1 win on Thursday night.

UEFA will investigate evidence of racist chants by supporters of Macedonian side FK Rabotnicki during their 2–0 loss to Liverpool on Thursday in a Champions League qualifier.

Traffic on mobile soccer sites tripled during the World Cup.

Newcastle United have become the latest Premiership club to ban vuvuzelas.