Union

Faryd Mondragon, who suffered a groin strain on Wednesday against LA Galaxy, underwent evaluation on Thursday and is listed as probable for Saturday’s match against Dallas.

The Daily News’ Kerith Gabriel, noting that Carlos Ruiz’ offense production has steadily declined since is bombshell of a first year in 2002, says, “[E]ver since then while the numbers have been respectable, they haven’t been worthy of the praise that Union technical staffers gave when announcing his return to MLS in Philadelphia.”

The Inquirer’s Marc Narducci calls for more playing time for Danny Mwanga, Jack McInerney and Roger Torres: “The coaching staff has often said that it doesn’t want to put young players in a position of failing…But it may be time to put them on the field more, and then maybe the team won’t need these late comeback efforts.”

In the the Goal.com head-to-head preview of Saturday’s match, the Philly guy and the Dallas guy agree it’ll be a 1–1 draw.

John Hackworth makes it clear that the Union doesn’t play for draws. ““I’m disappointed that we didn’t get three [points] because at the end I thought we had them by their heels and that another [goal] was going to come.”

Danny Califf agrees. “One point’s OK, but we all think we should have probably had three.”

More on the match against LA from Philly Union Talk and ASN Philly.

Faryd Mondragon makes SI’s list of Top Ten list of new faces to watch in MLS. “He kept us in the game when the moments were big for us,” Califf said of Mondragon’s performance on Wednesday. “He showed why he’s the captain and why he has so much experience.”

The actual meaningfulness and utility of league’s new Castrol Index, which uses “the latest technology to objectively analyze every match in the 2011 MLS season, logging an average of 1800 player movements per match,” remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the first edition of the index ranks Danny Califf as the sixth most effective player in MLS for the month of April. (The top three are Thierry Henry, Steve Zakuani and David Ferreira.) The entire backline makes into the top 50. The next three players are Miglioranzi (94), Ruiz (110) and Le Toux (130).

The latest Union Sound podcast from WYSP DJ and friend of the PSP Gordon is now available. The guests are best buds Faryd Mondragon and Juan Pablo Angel.

MLSsoccer.com has a piece on Zach Pfeffer.

With the May 21 deadline right around the corner, time is running out if you want to purchase one of the few remaining pro-rated season ticket plans.

Local

Matt Sanner, the Reading United forward who scored a hat trick against Brooklyn Knights in the club’s season opener, was named to the PDL Team of the Week.

MLS

While the article itself is filled with a load of ridiculous lifestyle drivel, the award for the best headline about Saturday’s Seattle v Portland derby goes to the Wall Street Journal: “The Great Hipster Soccer Showdown.” This headline from the Seattle Times, “Here come the crazy neighbors: Sounders face rival Portland Timbers,” comes in a close second place.

The New York Times has an article called “The MLS All-Bargain Team” that somehow does not include Sheanon Williams in the defense.

More on the spate of serious injuries resulting from reckless tackles. The Sporting News says it is time for club owners to protect their assets and demand the league put a stop to rough play.

Did you know Eastern and Western conference teams are winless on opposite coasts so far this season? Neither did I.

The Washington Post looks at the struggles DC United have faced in getting a new stadium built.

Is Minnesota ripe for MLS expansion? The owner of the Minnesota Vikings thinks so.

WPS

magicJack Owner Dan Borislow responds to questions about the point deductions recently handed down to his team for repeated violations of league policy. It is only going to get uglier.

Soccer America calls magicJack pro sports’ worse-run franchise.

US

The USWNT will debut their absolutely terrible new jerseys when they play Japan in Columbus on Saturday in a friendly. Autographed match-worn jerseys will be auctioned after the game with proceeds benefiting Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami relief.

Elsewhere

UEFA has charged Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets with racially insulting Real Madrid defender Marcelo during the Champions League semifinals.

Sepp Blatter says the footballing world will suffer “irreversible damage” if he is not re-elected president. Pillock.

Footy on the Telly™

Friday, May 13

Reading v Cardiff City (Championship playoffs) 2:30pm FSP

Saturday, May 14

Blackburn v Manchester United 7:30am ESPN2
Sunderland v Wolves 7:30am FSC
Blackpool v Bolton 7:30am FSP
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt 9:30am GolTV
Bayern Munich v Stuttgart 9:30am ESPN Deportes
England FA Cup final, Manchester City v Stoke City 10am FSC
Lazio v Genoa 12pm FSP
West Brom v Everton 12:30pm FSC
AC Milan v Cagliari 2:30pm FSC
Pereira v Nacional 4pm GolTV
USA v Japan 6:30pm FSC
FC Dallas v Philadelphia Union 8:30pm TCN
Real Salt Lake v Houston Dynamo 9pm FSC
Seattle Sounders v Portland Timbers 11pm ESPN2

Sunday,, May 15

Fiorentina v Bologna 6:30am FSP
Chelsea v Newcastle 8:30am FSC
Ajax v FC Twente 8:30am ESPN Deportes
Catania v Roma 9am FSP
Liverpool v Tottenham 11am FSC
Arsenal v Aston Villa 11am FSP
UEFA under-17 final 12:30pm GolTV
Wigan v West Ham 1pm FSP
Pumas v Chivas (Mexican semifinals) 1pm Telemundo
Napoli v Inter Milan 2:30pm FSC
Barcelona v Deportivo La Coruna 3pm ESPN2
Lorient v Marseille 3pm FSP
Santos v Corinthians 3pm GolTV
Birmingham v Fulham 5pm FSP
Villarreal v Real Madrid 5pm GolTV
Atlanta Beat v Philadelphia Independence 6pm FSC
New York Red Bulls v Chivas USA 7pm Galavision
Zaragoza v Espanyol 7pm GolTV
Morelia v Cruz Azul (Mexican semifinals) 9pm Azteca America

Monday, May 16

Swansea v Nottingham Forest (Championship playoffs) 2:30pm FSP