Union

There is more information about the rumored friendly with Real Madrid, first reported by the Washington Post last Thursday. Kerith Gabriel reports in the Daily News that negotiations are underway for a possible July 23 fixture at the Linc. The problem is that the Union are scheduled to play Seattle away on that date. With only October 8 open on the calendar for rescheduling that game, another problem arises: a college football game is scheduled to be played at Qwest Field on that day. The Sounder at Heart blog says the Sounders shouldn’t hurt themselves to help the Union.

The latest power rankings are in and they aren’t pretty. Starting gently, the Union fall three spots at Goal.com to no. 7.  At Soccer America and at SBI, Philadelphia drops four positions to no. 8. Finally, the big one: At MLSsoccer.com, the Union drop six spots to no. 11.

Philly Union Talk weighs in on the loss to Dallas.

You can vote for two Faryd Mondragon saves in this week’s ballot for Save of the Week.

Zach Pfeffer will be out of action for a little while after having his appendix removed. It is unclear if this will affect his participation in the U-17 World Cup, set to start June 18 in Mexico. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Independence/WPS

SI says that the come-from-behind win with 10 players shows Paul Riley is still a tactical magician.

Independence general manager Louise Waxler stepped down effective May 15 “to slow down and spend time with [her] family.”

Here’s an overview of the tragi-comedy that is magicJack SC.

Local

The always informative Home Grown Hopefuls column at the Brotherly Game includes some news on several FC Delco players who appeared in Monday’s Union reserve team loss to DC United.

The Second Friday event, scheduled for June 10, in North Wales will feature a Philadelphia Union theme.

MLS

Charlie Davies will be out for two weeks with a right hamstring pull.

US

The Sporting News says, with the Gold Cup rapidly approaching, the future could be now for USMNT forwards Juan Agudelo and Teal Bunbury.

Take that Jack Warner! US Soccer president Sunil Gulati says CONCACAF can’t tell the US how to vote in the upcoming election for the presidency of FIFA. “We’ll make a decision that’s in the best interests of U.S. Soccer and what we think is good for the game internationally. What CONCACAF or the Caribbean Football Union chooses to do will be up to them. CONCACAF hasn’t announced a decision on who the leadership will support, but we know what we’re going to do.” CONCACAF president Jack Warner recently said the 35-member confederation would vote as a block.

Goal.com ponders the USMNT’s midfield congestion problem ahead of the Gold Cup. Rosters are due to be submitted this Saturday.

Tuesday’s group draw for the U-17 World Cup in Mexico favors the US.

Freddy Adu on why he’s playing in Turkey’s second division. “I can’t just pick up and go to MLS because Benfica still owns my contract. Benfica is my parent club and it’s not as easy as people think…I considered returning to MLS. I didn’t know what would happen in January, I knew it would be difficult. But my goal was always to be in Europe and make it there. That was my goal before I was a preteen.”

Elsewhere

WE”RE GOING TO WEMBLEY! After a 0–0 draw at home last Friday, Reading killed Cardiff 3–0 on the road on Tuesday to advance to the Championship playoff final on May 30 where they will face Swansea for promotion to the Premiership. UP THE ROYALS!

Iran, Morocco, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates are bidding to host the 2013 and 2014 Club World Cup tournaments.