Photo: Paul Rudderow

Union

Following the naming of  Michael Farfan to Goal.com’s Best XI for Week 7, Keon Daniel, Carlos Valdes and Sheanon Williams were named to MLSsoccer.com’s Best XI. At SBI, Sebastien Le Toux, Faryd Mondragon and Carlos Valdes were named to the MLS Best XI for Week 7.

Ives Galarcep puts the Union at no. 3 in his power rankings on FSC, which is interesting because they are ranked no. 4 at SBI. In MLSsoccer.com’s rankings, the Union remain at no. 4.

Danny Califf on Amobi Okugo: “He’s maturing every single game. It’s a process. He’s a kid, but you can see the wheels turning in his head. You can point to Danny Mwanga’s progress last year and say it’s similar. The more he plays, the more comfortable he’s going to get and the more dynamic and aware he becomes in the middle.”

Friday night’s game in Portland will mark the debut of “Soccer Night in America” on FSC. The press release says, “The new show will include redesigned, state-of-the-art graphics to headline the new look, along with a fresh set design, slow-motion camera technology and a style that migrates FOX Soccer closer to its network family. “Soccer Night in America’s” enhanced studio set features a cutting edge, contemporary design, a new logo and graphics that more closely match broadcasts throughout FOX Sports properties.” I thought every night was soccer night in America on FSC, what with them being a soccer channel and all. Whatever, the new show certainly demonstrates the network’s commitment to the league. We’ll know on Friday whether or not the re-branding and bling actually improves the coverage. Last year’s Union broadcast team of JP Dellacamera and Kyle Martino will be providing the play-by-play and analysis. Here’s the promo clip for the game:

In case you missed it, here’s video of Sebastien Le Toux on FSC’s Super Sunday Plus.

The Brotherly Game looks at the original Bimbo, Austrian footballing legend Franz Binder.

Local

Live text coverage of all Reading United games will be available this season. The live commentary will be available via Cover It Live, the same technology the PSP uses for Union away games.

MLS

Hercules Gomez and Jose Torres are now available after Pachuca puts its entire roster on the transfer market. A statement from the Pachuca board said, “After a meeting, we decided to make all the first team players transferable. This doesn’t mean they will go, but that they have to option of leaving the club if that suits their interests and those of the club.” Pachuca, who last year won the CONCACAF Champions League, failed to qualify for Mexico’s Clausura championship quarter-finals last weekend.

While expansion teams have led the increase in attendance in MLS (the numbers are up 3 percent versus last year), some of the older teams (e.g. the Energy Drinks) are having a tougher time. The New York Times analyzes why this is so.

Another high profile MLS player is out due to rough play. DC United DP Branko Boskovic has a torn ACL and hairline fracture to his knee as a result of a tackle from behind during United’s match with New England in US Open Cup play.

Frederic Kanoute, formerly of Lyon, West Ham and Tottenham and soon to be formerly of Sevilla, is reportedly considering a move to MLS.

David Beckham hopes to play on Britain’s Olympic soccer team in 2012. “So far I’ve heard I’m going to be managing, coaching, playing, so we’ll see—but I would like to be part of it in some way.”

US Open Cup

With just seconds to go before the end of extra time, San Jose scored the only goal of the match to knock the Portland Timbers out of the US Open Cup. Apparently Portland fielded a team of reserves with the exception of goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

Elsewhere

Ronaldo had a good whine after Real Madrid was knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona. “Those who know about football know that Barcelona are very well protected. We just have to live with these injustices. We knew if we scored a goal they would do everything possible so we wouldn’t get through. This isn’t good for football. If things don’t improve we should just stay home and let Barcelona play by themselves. Next year they should just give the cup directly to Barcelona.”

FIFA has announced a time table for the testing of goal line technology. Initial testing will begin in September through December. Systems achieving at least 90% accuracy in simulated match situations will be invited back for a second round of testing to be held between March and June of 2012 with a final report to be submitted to the to the International Football Association Board in July, 2012. Companies wishing to submit a system for testing must declare their intention to do so by June 3 and formally apply a month later. A $20,000 registration fee is required. Sepp Blatter has called for patience while the technologies are evaluated.

The well known crook Jack Warner was unanimously re-elected president of CONCACAF on Tuesday. He was unopposed.

CONCACAF, expected to back Sepp Blatter in his bid for re-election as president of FIFA, will delay backing a candidate until Mohamed Bin Hammam addresses delegates at the Caribbean Football Union next week. Then they will back Blatter.