Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Union

The Union move up one spot to no. 4 in the MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings. In the Soccer By Ives rankings, they move up three spots to no. 3, where they are also ranked by Goal.com. Saving the best for last, the Union is ranked at no. 2 in the Soccer America rankings, jumping up six positions. (And some people can’t understand why a single table is a good idea…)

Eurosport.com reports that the Union are one of several MLS teams Atletico Madrid will have meetings with about forming a strategic partnership. Chicago Fire and the Energy Drinks are the other teams mentioned in the report. Could make for an interesting summer friendly…

From the Union website, this piece looks at the various formation changes made during the Union’s win over the Energy Drinks, namely, the shift from 4-2-2-2 to 4-2-3-1.

Roger Torres receives an honorable mention on this week’s MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week. He makes ASN’s best XI, joined by Carlos Valdes for his second time appearance (plus one Bench appearance.)

Speaking of Torres, The Brotherly Game considers the Pepito Conundrum.

My new favorite Union player is Keon Daniel. A natural attacking center midfielder, Daniel says, “If the technical staff wants me on one side or another, playing different positions, I’ll do it.”

Ryan Richter has been converted from the attacking role he played in college to being a defender, going the full 90 at right back in the Union reserves’ win over the Energy Drinks reserves. Reserve team coach Brendan Burke says of Richter, ““His versatility is invaluable and I think he’s someone you’ll see pop up on the first team over and over again.”

A piece from the Union website on the return of Zac MacMath and Amobi Okugo from US U-20 duty recounts the greetings Guatemalan Carlos Ruiz offered:

“We went around the room and he’s sitting at his locker laughing at us,” said MacMath, laughing himself as he recounts the story. “Everyone else felt bad for us because they knew how hard it was.”

ASN Philly has some tactical musings about the Union. My favorite line: “When Adrian Healey compares the Union to Stoke City, Philly fans should grimace.”

Philly Union Talk considers infringements on that most basic human liberty of Union supporters—namely, “the freedom to drink beer and pee”—when large contingents of away support arriving at PPL results in a “labyrinthine system of temporary fencing, riot-proof barricades, and horse-mounted fuzz” in the way of the closest toilet. Also on the site, a collection of pictures from Saturday’s win over the Energy Drinks with the focus on pregame activities with the Sons of Ben.

Fans provide the player ratings in this week’s Rank and File at the Goalkeeper.

The Union Dues has a new columnist of apparent Dutch descent, one P. Spoertsman, who respectively asks if the people waving flags in the River End would kindly lower the delightfully colorful things when the Union are attacking goal in open play.

Independence

The Independence website has highlights from Sunday’s dramatic comeback draw with Sky Blue FC.

Tina DiMartino’s stoppage time equalizer earned her Player of the Week in Big Apple Soccer.com, and they offer home coverage of Sky Blue FC!

Amy Rodriguez was named the Player of he Week for her game changing appearance in the second half by Philly Soccer News.

Local

Union partner the Harrisburg City Islanders have unveiled the PSPs season preview.

City Islanders winger Jason Hotchkin says, “We can’t wait until we really put ourselves to the test, and that’s a good feeling. We’re excited about who we have on the team. We’re excited about what we’re capable of accomplishing. That’s the attitude right now on the team. We’re just excited to see what we’re capable of doing.”

The City Islander’s Andrew Welker talks about getting the call up to play with the Union reserves.

There’s still time to sign up for men and coed indoor soccer at YSC. Play starts April 18 in Wayne, April 25 in Hatboro.

You can purchase tickets to the 2011 Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame dinner on May 14 here.

MLS

Jeld-Wen Field, home of the Portland Timbers, has long been home to a colony of feral cats. This piece looks at efforts made to keep the cats safe and happy during the conversion of the park to a soccer stadium. The Timbers will play their first home game in the stadium on Thursday when they face Colorado.

In more Cascadian field news, Seattle are not fans of the artificial surface they have to play on at Qwest Field and have commissioned a study to see if grass is viable there. Hmm, there have never seemed to be any problems with grass whenever I’ve visited Seattle.

David Beckham says he may decide to stick around MLS when his contract expires after this season. Or maybe he won’t.

US

The USMNT drops three spots to no. 22 in FIFA’s rankings. Mexico comes in at no. 26.

Nike has renewed its contract with US Soccer through 2016. The deal is estimated to be worth around $20 million.

Univision has announced plans to add a new Spanish-language soccer channels in 2012.

Elsewhere

The New York Times owns a 16.58 percent share in Liverpool. Who knew?

On FSC at 2:30pm, Tottenham will hopelessly host Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League Quarterfinal. At the same time on FSP, Schalke will triumphantly do the same for Inter (replay at 5pm on FSC.)