Union

The Sons of Ben are hosting a roadtrip to the match against DC United on Sunday and there may still be tickets available. The price is a very reasonable $50 for a game ticket and the bus ride. Details are available on the SoB website. Go get em, gang!

Fred says, “We need to continue to push forward and need to continue shooting the ball and shooting on goal.” Novel idea, Fred. How about doing that, then, eh?

Goal.com splits on its prediction for Sunday’s big game. The DC United guy sees a 1–1 draw, the Union guy a 2–1 win for Philadelphia. After all, who would be so crazy as to predict a clean sheet for the Union, right?

The playoff hopes of the Union are growing dim. The best quote in the article is from Danny Califf: “To be honest, I don’t think there are any bullets left in the gun; we’ve shot ourselves in the foot so many times we’ve got to be out of bullets by now.”

The Inquirer talks with Stephen King (not that one!), the South Jersey native who now plays for DC United.

The Goalkeeper takes a look at DC United, what once was and what now isn’t.

Independence

Size doesn’t matter when you’re talking Tina DiMartino. The Independence face Sky Blue FC away on Sunday at 4pm.

MLS

Here’s an excellent, in-depth look at whether MLS rules—the Designated Player program, the salary cap, roster limitations, rules regarding transfer fees—will hinder the growth of MLS.

Tim Howard says he would like to end his career in MLS.

Henry talks about how he’s adjusting to MLS. He likes us, he really, really likes us!

The MLS Players Union has released an updated list of players salaries. No surprise here: Henry and Marquez trail are second and third behind Beckham on the MLS salary list.

Some San Diego Padres players aren’t pleased that Chivas USA will be playing a friendly against Chivas Guadalajara in their stadium. Ten days before their next home game.

Here’s a peek at how the Kansas City Wizard’s new stadium is coming along.

CONCACAF Champions League

The Sounders lost 2–1 to Honduran side Marathon.

US

If reading a moron’s response to his reader’s comments on a piece of idiocy he wrote is your idea of how to start the day, take a look at this from CBSSports.com. You remember the piece we linked to last week about how only American’s should coach the US national team? This is the dolt’s follow-up.

The South Asian Journalists Association will be having a webcast with USSF president Sunil Gulati today at 12pm. Click here for details.

Sports Illustrated looks at the US U20 team. Those who want fewer college players on the national squad are getting their wish.

Eric Lichaj played the full 90 and Brad Guzan was between the pipes in Aston Villa’s 1–1 Europa League draw against Rapid Vienna. Jozy Altidore got some minutes in Villareal’s 5–0 rout of Dnepr Mogilev.

Guzan was targeted by hooligans and had coins, lighters and drinks thrown at him.

Etc.

The fitness coach for AC Milan says that Ronaldinho is making “remarkable progress” in losing weight. What’s the Portuguese for “Big Ronald?”

Here’s some news for all you Liverpool fans out there: Cole blows a PK in Europa League match against Trabzonspor, Kuyt may go to Inter, and it looks like Aquilani has flopped his way to a loan to an as yet to be determined club in Italy. How about Inter?

Brazilian phenom Naymar turns his back on Chelsea and signs five-year deal with Santos.

Paul the Octopus has switched allegiances to back England’s 2018 World Cup bid. Although Paul currently lives in Germany, he was hatched at Weymouth Sea Life Center on England’s south coast in 2008. Weymouth Sea Life Center manager Nicola Hamilton said, “he is definitely a proud Englishman.”

This Weekend’s Footy on the Telly™

Saturday, August 21
Coventry City v Derby County, 7:10am on FSP
Stoke City v Tottenham, 9:55am on FSP
Arsenal v Blackburn, 10am on ESPN2
Everton v Wolverhampton, 10am on FSC
Wigan v Chelsea, 12pm on FSC
Hamburg v Schalke 04, 12:30pm on GolTV
Norwich City v Swansea City, 2pm on FSP
West Ham v Bolton, 2:30pm on FSC
Birmingham City v Blackburn, 4pm on FSP
Botafogo v Avai, 5:30pm on GolTV
Cali v Junior, 7:30pm on GolTV
FC Dallas v Chivas USA, 8:30pm  on FSC
Nacional v Cucuta, 9:30pm on GolTV

Sunday, August 22
Newcastle United v Aston Villa, 8:25am on FSP
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland, 10:30am on FSP
Fulham v Manchester United, 11am on FSC
Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, 11:30am on GolTV
Middlesbrough v Sheffield United, 12:30pm on FSP
DC United v Philadelphia Union, 2pm on 6abc, MyNetwork TV – WQMY
Paris Saint-Germaine v Girondins de Bordeaux, 2:55pm on FSP
Atletico Paranaense v Flamengo, 3pm on GolTV
Chicago Red Stars v FC Gold Pride, 6pm on FSC

Monday, August 23
Manchester City v Liverpool, 2:55pm on ESPN2

Photo by Daniel Studio.