Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Union manager Peter Nowak downplayed the Union’s prior win over Houston. And he’s right. That was a long time ago, and Houston is a different and better team now, as PSP pointed out earlier this week.

The Inqy says Sheanon Williams and Gabriel Farfan will be key in tomorrow’s match against the Dynamo. The article talks about their role in the attack, but even more important will be how the two fare on the defensive end matchup. Brad Davis is the best outside crosser in the league, save for David Beckham, and led the league in assists (16) this year. Williams can’t leave him any space tomorrow.

Brian Carroll has appeared in the MLS playoffs all nine years of his career. Yes, the league’s playoffs are forgiving, but he’s done it with three clubs, including now a second-year club.

Unholy Union thinks Nowak would rather suit up to play himself. Ouch. (And some thought I was rough on him.) Might explain the juggling midfield lineups though.

The London Guardian previews Thierry Henry vs. David Beckham — I mean, Galaxy-Red Bulls. They look at the Union-Dynamo and other playoff matches too.

MLSSoccer.com previews tonight’s Seattle-Salt Lake playoff match.

Taylor Twellman says the New England Revolution blew off the concussions that prematurely ended his career.

The Los Angeles Galaxy have added a friendly against the Philippines national team to its postseason Pacific tour, otherwise known this year potentially as the David Beckham Farewell Tour.

SI.com has an interesting look at at the German soccer world’s taboos against homosexuality.

The face of the New York Cosmos is out. The Saudis may be in. That’s great, because I was just saying to some friends the other day that we don’t have enough dealings with the Saudis. Really, you can’t have enough of that.

Chuck Blazer may be in too, with an interesting group competing with the Cosmos for the next MLS expansion franchise.

If you didn’t see today’s wild Arsenal-Chelsea match, you can watch it on replay on ESPN3.com. No spoilers here, just a link to the game wrap-up. Absolutely insane game.