PPL Park will host a U.S.-Colombia friendly in October.

U.S. international DaMarcus Beasley has signed with Hannover 96, the first division German club captained by American Steve Cherundolo.

Not sure if this makes anyone feel better, but Troy Perkins isn’t exactly blowing Seitzy out of the water. Perkins is the starter the Union could have had if they hadn’t traded their #1 allocation slot to DC United in exchange for positionless dribblefiend Fred. Perkins’ save percentage is 8 points higher and he has two shutouts, but Seitz has a lower GAA (by .02). Using the mysterious and mystical power of hindsight, what would you do now? No Fred, but Perkins between the sticks? Or has Fred’s presence and Seitz’s comic relief/chance to gain experience been enough to warrant the move?

Dear Matt Smith of the Delco Times, next time your editor gives you an assignment that includes “Union” or “soccer”, give me a call. I’ll help you out. I very much appreciate that you have brought the issue of youth soccer in Chester to your readers’ attention, but feel free to provide a link to the Pepsi Refresh voting page next time. In fact, use this one: http://www.mlssoccer.com/pepsirefresh/philadelphia#.

Matt, I’m not sure where to start. The very first sentence of your story is incorrect. The Philadelphia Union were born long before PPL Park opened its doors. In fact, they played regular season MLS matches in Lincoln Financial Field to crowds numbering over 30,000 before PPL was even complete. Also: “Surprisingly, the Union are drawing well in their first season.” For shame, Matt. The Philadelphia Union are drawing thousands more fans than the Philadelphia 76ers did last year. Did you think fifteen guys got together and tricked the city into building a soccer specific stadium so they could run riot through empty stands with their vuvuzelas? Let me put it this way: Surprisingly, an uninformed sportswriter who knows nothing about soccer failed to make a vuvuzela joke to distract me from the utter lack of research he puts behind his work.

One last thing: “While “Yo!” probably isn’t in his broken English vernacular, Le Toux has staying power because he’s among a minority of Union players who are pretty good at what they do.” WTF does this mean? Even in the context of your column, I can’t tell if this is a slightly bigoted and sad attempt at a joke or if you think the word, yo, is a necessary skill of a talented soccer player or someone with “staying power.” I’m afraid you’re going to have to take this home, try again, and give me another draft in the morning.

Steve Nicol is pretty pissed about the Cory Gibbs red card. Pissed at the refs, I mean. Not at Gibbs for foolishly putting himself in a card-able spot by diving into challenges. Golly, why can’t the ref get everything right when my players are lunging around the field like cleated ninjas?

The Boston Breakers came from behind to down the Philadelphia Independence last night. Philly can get their revenge in the rematch on Wednesday.

In case you missed it, Chivas reminded DC United that pancaking the Union doesn’t make you a great team. An early goal followed by solid defense? Chivas, you silly squad. Who thinks of these things!

Adidas and MLS extended their partnership until 2018. The German sports equipment manufacturer will continue to be the exclusive provider of MLS apparel.

Goal.com has a pretty awesome comparison of the best MLS draft classes since 1996, along with an explanation of why 2010 could be the best class ever. The article includes this choice note:

Amobi Okugo/Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union): The sixth and seventh picks in the 2010 SuperDraft respectively haven’t started for the Union; yet, there is a feeling that the two United States youth internationals are on the verge of breaking out soon.

We can only hope, Goal.com, we can only hope.

Soccer America’s college soccer preseason All-Americans list is out. It features absolutely nobody from the Philadelphia or Pennsylvania area. What it does have is Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath. And that, dear readers, is what you call an awesome name. Zac MacMath of the clan MacMath: Best of luck this season.

College soccer on Fox Soccer Channel opens this Friday with a South Carolina showdown. Clemson and South Carolina will battle to see who is the best team in the state. Then, hopefully, they’ll all head over to Charleston for dinner and a show, because that town is really cool.

A round-up of EPL action from the weekend.

Asamoah Gyan, the striker who sent Team USA packing from the World Cup, is in talks to move to EPL side Sunderland.

Aston Villa announced they will seek a manager with Premier League experience. This seems to rule out Bob Bradley, who only has experience underachieving at the international level.

And in the worst news of the day, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson moved to cool speculation that he will sell Leiva Lucas before the transfer window closes. The loud “WHAP” sound you just heard is the entire Kop slapping their foreheads.