Philadelphia Union

Tweet from Freddy Adu: “Happy Holidays to everyone. Love the holiday season.”

In Goal.com’s survey of the Eastern Conference there is this review of the the Union’s 2011 season in a sentence: “Another season of incremental growth for a young squad still in need of a couple of pieces to compete for MLS Cup.”

The Union announced on Tuesday two ticket packages to see the club in pre-season training in Orlando over President’s Day weekend (Feb. 17-19). Both packages include tickets to the friendly agaisnt Orlando City. You can purchase one of the packages here. Hotel accommodations and ground transportation to the Union events can be purchased here.

You can cast your vote for what grade the Union should receive for the 2011 season at the Daily News.

Philadelphia Independence

Independence Players Nikki Krzysik, Christina DiMartino, and Gina DiMartino as well as WPS Player Becky Edwards will be appearing at the Super Soccer Camp taking place at United Sports today and tomorrow.

Here’s a look at how some of the Independence players will be spending the holidays.

Local

Reading United alumni Brian Span has signed with Swedish club Djurgarden. (Crappy translation here.) You can watch an interview with him here.

Here’s a Q & A with Harrisburg City Islanders veteran and fan favorite David Schofield.

The Ocean City Nor’easters will be holding an open tryout on Jan. 7. You can register for the tryout here.

MLS

From the Department of Over It, Le Parisien reported on Tuesday that the Beckham to PSG deal was done (crappy translation here). Oh no it isn’t says some Beckham spokesmouth.

Juninho is leaving LA Galaxy after signing a new three-year deal to return to Sao Paulo.

SI.com says Everton is receiving a more polished Landon Donovan. David Moyes says that if Donovan should decide to stay, “I wouldn’t be against it.”

RSL Soapbox’s series on the changes coming to MLS in 2012 begins with the MLS Cup.

The Washington Post says MLS has something that the Premiership and La Liga do not: competitive balance.

Rafa Marquez says the Mexican Primera, while more competitive than MLS, better pay attention because MLS is bridging the gap fast.

Kyle Beckerman says MLS is bridging the gap with Europe.

Is Robbie Rogers heading to Leeds?

Fourteen MLS clubs are participating in pre-season tournaments. MLSsoccer.com looks at the schedules.

US

The USMNT finishes the year ranked 34th. The USWNT finishes the year ranked first.

USMNT U-23 coach Caleb Porter is using a new approach to prepare the team for the Olympic qualifiers.

SI says Jurgen Klinsmann’s efforts to encourage US players to train abroad is grounded in the desire to push them out of their comfort zones.

The NCAA Resource Allocation Work Group has proposed to eliminate Division 1 international tours for all sports and will forward that recommendation to the NCAA Board of Directors at their Convention in mid-January.

Elsewhere

Luis Suarez has been banned for eight games and fined £40,000 after being found guilty of misconduct for “using insulting words towards” Patrice Evra. Liverpool have reacted by casting doubt on Evra’s credibility. The Guardian reports, “The club are considering an appeal, with the punishment suspended and Suárez free to play until the process is completed.” Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, stands by the FA’s decision. FIFA and UEFA have made no comment on the decision.

The Crown Prosecution Service is expected to announce today whether charges will be brought against John Terry for racial abuse.

The AP quotes Chinese state media reports that a veteran Chinese referee has admitted in court to taking bribes to fix local and international matches, including making sure a local team won the toss in a friendly involving Manchester United.

Soccer America looks at the 2012 edition of FIFA’s Laws of the Game. Perhaps the most interesting change to the rules is a new clause about field markings: “Where artificial surfaces are used, other lines are permitted provided that they are of a different color and clearly distinguishable from the lines used for football.” That’s right, those utterly distracting and downright ugly American football field markings are OK.