Union

Four days remain until the close of the transfer window…

The Union will host its first Supporters Summit on Wednesday, August 17 with Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz, Peter Nowak, Faryd Mondragón and MLS Commissioner Don Garber answering questions. If, as Sakiewicz said, “hearing from a wider audience than usual” is the reason for the summit, the fact that only registered members of the Sons of Ben will be allowed to attend is rather mystifying, particularly if topics for discussion will include “the Union’s style of play, the League schedule, game-day experience, ticketing, stadium expansion, single table alignment and playoff structure.”

The league released the playoff schedule on Tuesday. Depending on how things finish out, the Union could play New York in the playoffs little more than a week after they play them in the last game of the season.

Vote Paunovic for Goal of the Week.

Vote Mondragon for Save of the Week.

Power rankings roundup: At Soccer America the Union drop one spot to seventh. At MLSsoccer.com the Union fall two places to seventh. They hold steady at seventh in the SBI rankings. At ESPN, the Union drop two spots to eighth while at Goal.com they drop one spot to eighth.

Jack McInerney gets a post about him on MLSsoccer.com for his birthday in addition to the goal he scored on Saturday. Many happy returns, Jack.

The Brotherly Game links to a report from Italian news outlet Il Secolo XIX that says the Union were negotiating for young Colombian striker Andres Ramiro Escobar in June.

Unholy Union catches up on recent happenings with some pros and cons.

US

The Shin Guardian looks at the origins of the USA v Mexico rivalry. (Thanks for the shout out for our piece on the 1934 World Cup!)

The Farfans, who are of Mexican-American heritage, say they just cheer for a good game when the US and Mexico play each other. While both represented the US in the U-17 World Cup in 2005, Garfan says about future national team prospects, “Whatever happens, happens. I’ve already represented the US but I have dual citizenship.” Marfan adds, “I think whoever it is, you need to try to impress them and play your game and hope at some point they see your hard work and ability.”

Former Union defender and fan favorite Michael Orozco Fiscal said after Tuesday’s training session about playing for the USMNT in Philadelphia, “I had a good year here with the team, the fans and I have a lot of good friends out here. Hoping to get a couple of minutes [tonight against Mexico] to show Michael still loves Philly and if I could come back here I would.” Orozco Fiscal says of the manner of his exit from the Union, “I’m not going to lie, it was a shock the way it all went down.”

Tim Howard calls tonight’s match “a blockbuster.” If only the ticket sales matched the description.

Clarence Goodson is a scratch from the US roster for tonight’s game against Mexico after suffering a hamstring injury in Denmark on Sunday.

Quotes from Jurgen Klinsmann and Landon Donovan about tonight’s game and the future of the USMNT.

The Inquirer’s Phil Sheridan talks about Klinsmann’s hopes to place the US among the elite of world soccer. More from the Cherry Hill Courier-Post’s Don Benevento.

Here’s an interesting look at what young German-born American players think of Klinsmann’s appointment as head of the national team.

More from the Shin Guardian on what Klinsmann has ahead of him.

The Goalkeeper looks at what three veteran members of past USMNT squads—Thomas Dooley, Tab Ramos and Claudio Reyna—are now bringing to the program.

The Press of Atlantic City talks to Tony Meola. Look for the PSP’s interview and photo essay with him from a local soccer clinic later today.

Steve Swanson, coach of the women’s team at University of Virginia, has been named the new coach of the USWNT U-20 team.

Albertin Montoya, former coach of WPS champions FC Gold Pride, has been named head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team.

Independence

Register your vote for your favorite Independence players in the 2011 WPS Year End Awards. Nominees include Veronica Boquete and Tasha Kai for Player of the Year, Nikki Krzysik for Defender of the Year, Nicole Barnhart for Goalkeeper of the Year, Sinead Farrelly for Rookie of the Year and Paul Riley for Coach of the Year. Fan voting count for 33% of the vote.

Speaking of Paul Riley, the Independence coach has been ordered to perform four hours of community service by the league for making “public statements made that were considered prejudicial and critical of a partner of Women’s Professional Soccer, as well as not in the best interest of the sport of soccer,” namely, that USWNT coach Pia Sundhage destroyed Amy Rodriguez’s confidence by not playing her in the Women’s World Cup final. So a guy who is an asset to the league for his openness in talking to the press colorfully and at length says something which is demonstrably true and he gets slapped on the wrist for it? That’s just plain idiotic. If Riley chooses to perform his service by running a clinic for kids, I urge all area parents to sign up their kids to make it the biggest clinic of all time.

Local

The Inquirer talks to Kyle MacDonald, striker on the Yardley-Makefield Soccer Thunder U-18 team that won the national championship on July 31, scored the game-winning, last minute goal. Moments later, his arm was broken in two places by a defender. MacDonald refused to come out of the game until it was finished. #Grit.

Southwest Philadelphia’s Junior Lone Star FC’s men’s U-20 team has been accepted in USL’s Super Y League. The club, which will compete in the Mid Atlantic Division against teams such as Lower Merion SC and Reading United AC. was founded by West African immigrants in 2001.

Frank Tweneboa, a young player from Ghana trying to reach his dream of playing in MLS, is profiled in the Cherry Hill Courier-Post.

Here’s a roundup of the attention the Penn men’s team is getting before the start of the new season.

Elsewhere

With the England v Netherland’s friendly scheduled for today now cancelled and the opening of Premier League play threatened with postponement because of the riots in London, Wayne Rooney appeals for an end to the violence.

We linked to the story of Real Madrid signing a 7-year-old Argentinian twice this week. Turns out the story was overblown. The Christian Science Monitor reports, “There is no exchange of money or long term commitment on either side. Young Coria—or his parents rather—signed a one-year deal to join the team, which is the bureaucratic equivalent of a boy joining Little League.” Said Juan Tapiador, manager of the children’ division of Real Madrid, “There is no contract.”

With the summer transfer window coinciding with the U-20 World Cup now underway in Colombia—where Colombia, Argentina, Mexico and Portugal have reached the quarterfinals—young players are motivated by more than national pride to up their performance. Said Costa Rica’s Joel Campbell, “I’m motivated to play my best. This World Cup is like a shop window.” .

Colombia national team coach Hernan Dario Gomez resigned on Monday. Outside of a nightclub on Saturday, he punched a woman who had criticized his handling of the Colombian national team.

MLS Talk says it is time for ESPN to let John Harkes go. It’s true, you know.