Union

Philly dominates this MLSsoccer.com’s Best XI for Week 18 with Carlos Valdes, Justin Mapp and Sebastien Le Toux making the first team, with Keon Daniel, Gabriel Farfan and Sheanon Williams receiving honorable mentions.

In this week’s power rankings round up, the Union stay at no. 4 at Soccer America, at no. 5 at MLSsoccer.com, SBI and at Goal.com. At ESPN, the Union move up one spot to no. 5.

The Brotherly Game links to a Mexican media report quoting Veracruz head coach Daniel Guzman finally putting an end to rumors of Carlos Ruiz signing with the club. “I’ve found that he has problems,” Guzman said, “and I prefer to get a player that doesn’t have any type of problem who can adapt quickly as soon as we sign him, a player that will adapt to the climate, the port city climate, and everything else, that’s why I’m looking at Colombians.”

Speaking of Ruiz, Don’t forget to vote Carlos Ruiz for Goal of the Week.

In case you didn’t know already, the Union are surprised Tim Howard will not play for Everton tonight. Don’t be surprised if Howard watches from the stands and Faryd Mondragon gets the night off.

ASN Philly has some quotes from Tuesday’s Everton press conference, including this gem from manager David Moyes: “Thousands of American children play soccer. Because all of the other sports you’ve got over here, they’re for freaks: you’ve got to be 6’5, 6’7 to play basketball, you’ve got to weigh 18 stone [which converts to 252 pounds] and solid as a rock to play American football. Soccer is something which everybody can play. If you’re talented and gifted, you can play soccer.” Alrighty then, so everybody can play soccer, if everybody is talented and gifted.

Check out this not entirely terrible brief guide to the Union from the Everton website.

Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo is apparently retarded.

Danny Califf on facing Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday: “For me it’s gonna be fun to kick it around with him. Kick him around maybe a little bit – if I can catch him.” If he tries any of that step over bullshit, I say take his legs out, Danny.

The Union expects the experience of playing such friendlies is particularly good for the younger players. Mondragon said, “I was telling all our young players to go out and just enjoy it.”

Kerith Gabriel writes that expecting MLS teams to dominate against international visitors like Everton or Real Madrid is expecting a lot. “It could happen, but it takes a lot to remove the realm of unlikely.”

Mondragon is proud to have been selected for the All-Star team. “It’s fortunate for me, but unfortunate that there’s only one player [on the Union] they have chosen. I have to go and represent the Philadelphia Union as they deserve.” Nowak said, “The whole team, in my view, deserves to be on the All-Star team.”

Two-Footed Tackle on the All-Star selection: “With the vote aimed at reflecting the views of fans when players arguably more deserving such as Philadelphia Union’s Carlos Valdés remain unselected, the spectacle begins to lose authenticity.”

Valdes and Sheanon Williams make SBI’s MLS All-Star All-Snub Squad.

Soccer Banter has a Q & A with Williams.

Forget about Valdes and Williams being snubbed with the All-Star selection, says MLSsoccer.com, the number one snub is Sebastien Le Toux. “That lack of a true wide attacking player, who also offers defensive cover, makes one particular Frenchman the No. 1 snub this year.”

Kevin Kinkead looks at the 4–1–3–2 formation the Union have been employing over the past five games.

Linking to Trinidad & Tobago media reports last Saturday, the Brotherly Game wondered if young forward Phillip Borde is trialling with the Union. On Tuesday, tBG was able to confirm that he is not.

The Union Dues looks ahead to August, which “may be the most important of any Union months to day.”

The Union Dues also looks at that Fantastic Four of Union signings for 2011, Carlos Ruiz  Brian Carroll, Carlos Valdes and Faryd Mondragon.

In response to listener’s requests, the YSA Report has “isolated some of the bits and commercials” including the comedy stylings of the Philly Soccer Page.

You can extend your support of the Union with the new EA Sports Football Club through FIFA 12.

Independence/WPS

Sinead Farrelly, the Independence rookie midfielder from Havertown, is interviewed by KYW NewsRadio.

Signs that WPS may get a bump from the Women’s World Cup are evident in New York where the clash between WNY Flash and magicJack is expected to draw 15,000 spectators and will now be broadcast on FSC tonight at 7:30pm.

ESPN reports that Alex Morgan can’t marry you. Sorry, Adam.

Local

With this being international friendly week in Philadelphia, it is only fitting that Twin Valley is host to a two-week soccer camp being run by the German Football Federation.

The Anderson Monarchs find inspiration in the performance of the USWNT  at the Women’s World Cup.

Elsewhere

Uruguay advance to the Copa America final with a 2–0 victory over Peru.

A former German pro has been banned from all soccer-related activity after admitting he took money to fix games while at St Pauli in 2008.

That UAE player who backheeled a PK in his team’s 7–2 win over Lebanon is in trouble. Quite rightly, too.