Union

There are three home games left in the Union season and, as of this writing, Saturday’s game against Houston is the only one that isn’t sold out. You can get tickets to the game our preview. The Union may realistically be out of playoff picture but the players still have a lot to play for, like place on the squad next year and you and me: the 2011 season starts now.

Goal.com doesn’t fancy the Union’s chances against Houston in their head-to-head preview. The Philly guy sees a 2-1 loss, the Houston guy a 3-2 loss. Our preview sees a more hopeful 2-0 win.

The Daily News describes the Union’s still mathematically possible chance of making the playoffs, saying, among other things, for this to happen they have to beat LA Galaxy, the Energy Drinks and Columbus. Beating Houston might help too.

Local

The Penn women’s team is away this weekend to play Cornell on Friday night. On Sunday they will be at West Point.

After going 5–5–0 in non-conference play, the Temple women’s team open’s Atlantic 10 play this weekend with away games at George Washington and Richmond.

The La Salle women’s team kicks off their Atlantic 10 season this weekend when the travel to face Ohio Xavier on Friday and Dayton on Sunday.

The Drexel women’s team fell to Hofstra on Thursday 2–1. The men’s team faces UNC Wilmington on Saturday at 3pm.

MLS

The new Cosmos kit

Playing the attendance numbers comparison game can be tricky. But it can also provide some ammunition against the soccer haters. Comparing the average attendance numbers of MLS, MLS, the NBA and the NHL, the Seattle Sounders come in at tenth on the top 100 most attended list. The Union come in at 23rd.

They’re not in the MLS yet—hell, they don’t even have a team— but they have clearly set their sights high. The new New York Cosmos have teamed with Umbro for their new kit. Adidas might have other ideas when they join the MLS.

US

Bob Bradley has named his 20-player roster for the upcoming friendlies against Poland and Colombia. Thirteen players from the World Cup squad—including Altidore, Bradley, Dempsey and Howard—are on the roster. Landon Donovan isn’t. Jermaine Jones, Eric Lichaj and Brek Shea are getting their first call-ups. One writer thinks the selection is a missed opportunity to develop young talent.

Clint Dempsey tells Fulham supporters that he’d rather win with the US.

Soccer America talks to Brian McBride. If there is one guy who should be involved in youth development, its Brian McBride

Today’s Duh Award goes to this piece in which Manchester City’s Youth Academy Director says the US team lacks quality forwards. You see, we can’t buy them, like City does.

Elsewhere

Lionel Messi wins the European Golden Shoe award.

Allegations of match fixing with the recent Real Salt Lake v Arabe Unido CONCACAF Champions League match, the one that was quite possibly the worst, most cynical match I have ever seen.

Sir Alex Ferguson says he won’t speak to the media for a month because he doesn’t like they way they interpret what he says, the big baby.

Cesc Fabregas will miss Sunday’s Arsenal match against Chelsea. Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United’s match against Sunderland on Saturday but is apparently fit enough to be called up for England.

Manchester City lost $191 million last year.

This Weekend’s Footy on the Telly™

FRIDAY
Hanover v St. Pauli, 2:30pm on GolTV
Maryland v Duke, 8pm on FSC
South Carolina v Mississippi, 11pm on FSC

SATURDAY
Hamburg v Kaiserslautern, 9:30am on GolTV
Sunderland v Manchester United, 10am on ESPN2
Tottenham v Aston Villa, 10am on FSC
West Ham v Fulham, 10am on FSP
Birmingham v Everton, 12pm on FSC
Udinese v Cesena, 12pm on FSC
Real Sociedad v Espanyol, 2pm on GolTV
Crystal Palace v QPR, 2pm on FSP
Parma v AC Milan, 2:30pm on FSC
Philadelphia Union v Houston Dynamo, 4pm on Live Well Network (245/246 on Comcast), Telefutura
Stoke v Blackburn, 4pm on FSP
Valencia v Bilbao, 4pm on GolTV
Botafogo v Flamengo, 6pm on GolTV
America v Nacional, 8pm on GolTV
FC Dallas v Chicago Fire, 8:30pm on FSC
Once Caldas v Cucuta, 9:30pm on GolTV

SUNDAY
Lecce v Catania, 6:30am on FSP
Manchester City v Newcastle, 8:30am on FSP
Napoli v Roma, 9am on FSC
West Brom v Bolton, 10:30am on FSP
Chelsea v Arsenal, 11am on FSC
Barcelona v Mallorca, 1pm on GolTV
Inter Milan v Juventus, 2:30pm on FSC
Real Madrid v Coruna, 3pm on ESPN2
Rennes v Toulouse, 3pm on FSP
Nacional v Liverpool, 3pm on GolTV
Liverpool v Blackpool, 5pm on FSC
Chivas USA v LA Galaxy, 8pm on ESPN2