Union

Read our preview of Saturday’s Union match against New England.

The Inquirer talks to Nick Sakiewicz about what the Union needs to do in their remaining ten games. Like start winning.

Peter Nowak fields questions from readers of the Daily News and Inquirer Adam Cann has a few questions he’d like to ask, Mr. Nowak.

Independence

The second place Independence host third place Boston Breakers this Sunday in a match that will be live on FSC from 6pm. Boston has the better record in the clubs three previous meetings with one win and two draws. This is a huge match and the last regular season home game for the Independence. If there has been a must-win this season for Philadelphia,  who will finish the season with two road games, this is it. If you can make it out to West Chester, do.

Independence keeper Val Henderson on the team’s nickname: the Cheesesteaks. It’s the kind of nickname that only people who aren’t from Philly would endorse.

Further cuts at WPS as the troubled league focuses on ticket sales and the fan experience.

MLS

Soccer America looks at the changing face of MLS: there are a whole lot more foreign players than there were only a few years ago.

US

More on the saga of Bob Bradley.

The meeting between Bradley and US Soccer president Sunil Gulati apparently resolved nothing.

With Aston Villa being knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday, interim manager Kevin MacDonald’s chances of being given the job that Bradley is reportedly in the running for are slim. A decision could be announced after Sunday’s Premier league match.

Rafa Marquez of the New York Energy Drinks says Bradley should stay on as coach. Like we’re gonna take advice from the captain of the Mexico team?

The US names its first ever U20 squad made up entirely of professionals for an upcoming tournament in Peru.

The excellent ESPN documentary “The Two Escobars,” is out on DVD on November 9.

Three stadiums are in the running to host the US Open Cup final. The semifinals will take place on Sept 1.

Columbus Crew is miffed that they were the only team of the four remaining in the Open Cup not given the opportunity to host the final.

Champions League

Here’s the draw for the Champions League. Play begins September 14-15.

GROUP A: Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, Tottenham, FC Twente
GROUP B: Lyon, Benfica, Schalke, Hapoel Tel Aviv
GROUP C: Manchester United, Valencia, Rangers, Bursaspor
GROUP D: Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan
GROUP E: Bayern Munich, Roma, Basel, Cluj
GROUP F: Chelsea, Marseille, Spartak Moscow, Zilina
GROUP G: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Ajax, Auxerre
GROUP H: Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga, Partizan Belgrade

Etc.

FIFA vice president and head of CONCACAF Jack Warner was involved in a deal with a black market World Cup ticket ring, a Norwegian newspaper reports. Warner was also involved in World Cup ticket shenanigans in 2006.

UEFA president Michel Platini says referees do not need help from video technology.

Barcelona have agreed to a transfer fee to acquire Javier Mascherano from Liverpool.

Footy on the Telly™

Friday, August 29
Kaiserlautern v Bayern Munich, 2:30pm on GolTV

Saturday, August 28
Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal, 7:45am on ESPN2
Chelsea v Stoke, 9:55am on FSP
Tottenham v Wigan, 10am on FSC
Udinese v Genoa, 12pm on FSP
Manchester United v West Ham, 12:30pm on FSC
Malaga v Valencia, 2pm on GolTV
Roma v Cesena, 2:45pm on FSC
Girondins de Bordeaux v Olympique de Marseille, 2:55pm on FSP
Internacional v Botafogo, 5pm on GolTV
USL-2 CHAMPIONSHIP: Charleston Battery v Richmond Kickers, 6pm on FSC
Once Caldas Manizales vs Nacional de Medellín, 7:30pm on GolTV
New England Revolution v Philadelphia Union, 7:30pm on 6abc
Toronto v Real Salt Lake, 9pm on FSC
Medellin v Real Cartagena, 9:30pm on GolTV

Sunday, August 29
Bolton v Birmingham City, 8:30am on FSP
Blackpool v Fulham, 9am on FSC
Aston Villa v Everton, 11am on FSC
St. Pauli v 1899 Hoffenheim, 11am on GolTV
Bari v Juventus, 12pm on FSP
AC Milan v Lecce, 2:30pm on FSC
Mallorca v Real Madrid, 3pm on GolTV
Atletico Mineiro v Palmeiras, 5pm on GolTV
Philadelphia Independence v Boston Breakers, 6pm on FSC
DC United v Chivas USA, 10pm on ESPN2

Monday, August 30
Bologna v Inter Milan, 2:30pm on FSC

Photo by Nicolae Stoian