Photo: Michael Long

In the latest edition of the KYW Philly Soccer Show podcast, KYW’s Greg Orlandini and co-hosts Eli Pearlman-Storch and Mike Servedio of the Philly Soccer Page, talk about US Soccer’s sanctioning of WPS and the Philadelphia Union’s signing of Jimmy McLaughlin to a Homegrown Player contract.

In Part 1, the pod is joined by Philadelphia Independence defender Kia McNeill. McNeill gives the players’ perspective as the nation’s top women’s soccer league is re-sanctioned to play in the 2012 season. To remain the top-flight league, WPS must expand from five teams to six in 2013 and to eight teams in 2014.

In Part 2, Greg, Eli and Mike discuss the Jimmy McLaughlin signing and how he will fit into the team. McLaughlin a product of the Union academy system via Union affiliate FC Delco, joins the club after playing at Colgate University this fall in his freshman year. The only freshman to start every game, McLaughlin scored a goal in debut and was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year.

Click on the links above to download each part of the podcast.