Photo: Paul Rudderow

Union

it is just like Eli said on Tuesday.) “Right now those players are taking the steps needed to get healthy,” Nowak said on Wednesday. “This is a big game for us and we need to make sure our guys are fresh and focused.”

The Inquirer’s Marc Narducci in his video preview the game against LA. “The theme for the Union heading into Saturday’s game in LA against the Galaxy is simply getting healthy.”

Don’t think for a moment that, because Real Salt Lake handed them a 4–1 drumming last Saturday, that the Union think the Galaxy will be a bunch of pushovers. “They’re a group that has a lot of experience on their team, and anytime they take a thumping like they did in Salt Lake, they’re going to be looking to bounce back,” Danny Califf said on Wednesday. “We anticipate they’ll come out with a lot of energy. They’re going to really try to pressure us and put us on the back foot early in front of their home crowd, in order to make a statement that last week was a fluke for them.” (Interesting fun fact: Did you know the Union has three former Galaxy players? They are Califf, Carlos Ruiz and Stefani Miglioranzi.)

Video of Califf’s comments at Wednesday’s press conference at philly.com.

In Goal.com’s head-to-head preview of Saturday’s match the Galaxy guy sees a 2–0 win for LA while the Philly guy sees a 1–1 draw.

Nowak on his new title as Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations/Team Manager: “Nothing changes really. I’m still the team manager. That’s my primary job. I’m going to be on the sideline and I’m still going to coach the team as I did before. It’s just some of the logistics – my opinion and voice can be heard. It’s a great sign of our structure and I believe I’m in a great position to help the team move forward.”

The Union are ranked third in the league in the ESPNsoccernet power rankings. (Thanks to alert PSP reader Rob!)

Carlos Valdes is named to Goal.com’s best XI for Week Two.

Philly Union Talk wonders if the Union offense is missing Alejandro Moreno.

The Sons of Ben raised over $8,600 for the Help Kick Hunger with the Stache Bash campaign.

An injury that made climbing the steps into section 133 at PPL too difficult meant that one IllegitimateS member had to sit in the handicapped section in front of section 132. Although the injury will not be healed in time for the match against the Energy Drinks, IllegitimateS co-founder Kenny Hanson says, “I want to be with my 133 family on that day – NO MATTER WHAT! I will crawl up the steps…”

Perhaps anticipating complaints from a few knuckledragging CSN viewers who might be aghast at seeing the Union on their screens on Saturday night, there’s this piece aimed a “debunking common soccer myths.” Maybe the soccer haters should simply read Chad Ochocinco’s comments below.

LA Watch

The Galaxy expect Landon Donovan to be available for Saturday’s match against the Union. “I’m sure he’s going to be tired one way or the other,” says Bruce Arena, “not only the minutes but the travel and all of that. He’ll be fine. He’s been through this plenty of times. I’m sure he understands all the issues.”

Following Wednesday’s training session, the Galaxy players and coaches gathered in a circle on the field and talked. A report from the team’s website says, “What was said will remain private, but safe to say a lot of soul searching has been going inside the Galaxy locker room since Saturday’s 4-1 loss in Salt Lake.”

Reading United

Although the start of the PDL season is still a little ways away, there’s no time like the present to bone up on Union affiliate Reading United. You can start by taking a look at this interactive media guide from the USL—just click on where you want to go in the table of contents and Bob’s your uncle.

Reading United head coach Brendan Burke and technical director Troy Snyder the PSP’s Q & A with Burke to learn more.

Reading United have a new supporters group, the Locos. They recently held their first charity event, raising over $1000 for the Reading and Berks County’s Marsh Madness Plunge for Kids.

Independence

The Independence have announced their final roster, which includes four senior US national team members and four other internationals.

MBA candidate Natalia Morias could use your help. She is analyzing the use of social media as an efficient way to promote fan engagement. Take a moment to fill out this quick and easy survey about how well the Independence uses social media.

Filling the vacuum left by the departure of Washington Freedom/magicTalk SC to sunny Florida, DC United will field a women’s team in the 2011 W-League.

MLS

Chad Ochocinco tells the Bengals blog on the Cincinnati Enquirer website what it’s like to play soccer in terms they can understand: “With soccer it’s like playing eight straight quarters in a football game and not taking a drink. When this lockout ends and after these workouts I’m going to be in ridiculous shape.”

US

The fallout from the loss to Paraguay has begun. Soccer America, noting that the US has scored only three goals in the past five games and is winless at home over six games, says the USMNT is now at 1998 level lows. One article at the Bleacher Report says Jonathan Bornstein must go while another says Jozy Altidore isn’t cutting it.

Elsewhere

FIFA is a non profit. But you wouldn’t know it when it comes to them disclosing information about what it pays itself.

UEFA is concerned about hooliganism at Euro 2012, particularly from Polish nationals. “On the hooligan side, we are concerned but I also know the Polish government is concerned,” UEFA’s Euro 2012 operations director Martin Kallen said. “They know they have a problem—they have a huge image problem. There are always hooligans around every match day in the league but the government is making the right steps for the future.”

Pop singer Shakira and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique are an item. So, of course, Real Madrid bans the playing of her music at the Bernabeu.