US

USWNT post-match quotes following Wednesday’s Women’s World Cup 3–1 semifinal win over France.

The Shin Guardian has a thing or two the men’s game could learn from the women’s game.

The Inquirer and Forbes follows buzz generated by the USWNT at the Women’s World Cup.

Abby Wambach’s header against Brazil beat out Eric Hassli’s wonder strike for the Best Play ESPY award.

Union

Carlos Ruiz once again refutes rumors that he is leaving the Union, this time on July 13 edition of the MLS Spanish-language podcast Tiro Libre. The Brotherly Game, which has been diligently linking to the various Mexican newspaper reports that have been the source of the Ruiz rumors, has translations of portions of Ruiz’ comments in the podcast, including a denial of a recent report that he wants out of Philadelphia because his family is having difficulties adjusting to life here. “I feel like I can do big things in Philly. There will always be rumors, but I’m gonna be here in Philly…I’m very happy in Philadelphia, I want to stay in the US. All my family lives in the US.”

The PSP’s Eli Pearlman-Storch is one of the panelists on the latest YSA podcast. Also on the podcast, the PSP tries its hand at comedy. We had fun, anyway.

Power rankings roundup: The Union drop one spot to no. 5 at MLSsoccer.com. At ESPN, the Union drop one spot to sixth. At SBI and Goal.com, the Union hold steady in the five spot.

Gabriel Farfan on playing left back: “It’s not like I haven’t been back there before. When the staff approached me, I was ready. I thought it was fun.”

Chris Vito spreads some Sheanon Williams love.

In a Q & A with the Vancouver newspaper The Province, California-born Jordan Harvey says of returning to the West Coast, “I was the odd-man out in Philly. I think my play is more Philly, just blue collar, work hard and all that, but I’m definitely laid back and it’s nice to come back here and be closer to home.

Tim Howard is looking forward to playing the Union next Wednesday. “Nick [Sakiewicz] brought me through the ranks while I was a youngster. I’m friends with many of the coaching staff at Philadelphia Union and one of my best friends, Danny Califf, plays for them.”

Local

If you are trying to follow the Copa America, Comcast just made things a little easier. In addition to being able to watch the games live on Telefutura nad Univision, you can now watch replays of the games the day after they air live through Comcast On Demand and XfinityTV.com.

MLS

Before his team trounced New England with four second half goals, Sir Alex Ferguson has praised the development of MLS. “Now we see the United States in a different light. There is evidence now that they are starting to produce their own players. They have advanced their game because of the coaching and their sports science. Their preparation is first class. That has put them to a different level in terms of my appreciation of them and also my understanding that you are not going to get an easy game.” He added, “In fact, you could have four leagues because of the size of the country and the population base. There are unbelievable possibilities for the United States.”

LA’s Chris Birchall has been suspended for two games and fined $500 for a challenge that “showed utter disregard for his opponent’s safety.” Chicago’s Diego Chaves has been suspended for one game for a reckless challenge that occurred a minute before Birchell’s. San Jose manager Frank Yallop was given an additional $500 fine on top of the automatic one game suspension and $500 fine for being sent off in Saturday’s match against Philadelphia.

Elsewhere

Britain’s Minister of Sports says that the announcement on Sunday by the Qatari whistleblower that she had fabricated the allegations that Qatar had bribed its way to hosting the 2022 World Cup does not mean that FIFA no longer has questions to answer. The head of the Qatari bid says allegations of corruption are fueled by anti-Arab prejudice and must stop.