Photo: Paul Rudderow

Union

On this day in 2003, Peter Nowak retired. Want to see an epic picture of Peter Nowak? Click here.

Nick Sakiewicz tells the DelCo Times about starting the Philadelphia Union and how he financed the first four months of operation on his AmEx. Yikes.

The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association will hand out a Special Achievement Award to Seba Le Toux at the end of January. So weird that I wasn’t invited…

Zach Pfeffer is going to the US U-18 camp. He is one of seven forwards selected.

MLS

NBC Sports Network launched yesterday. The first MLS advertisement features Brian Carroll, Carlos Valdes and Faryd Mondragon defending a corner kick against the New York Red Bulls. It looks like they are playing in Red Bull Stadium, but it can’t be since the stands are filled with people.

SoccerNet reports that David Beckham decided to remain with the LA Galaxy as he sat around the Christmas tree with his family. The news comes from an unnamed source who says a contract has not been signed yet but when it is, Beckham will have the ability to play until he deems himself no longer fit and/or interested.

Rajko Lekic gives the Boston Examiner an eye-opening interview about the nature of semi-guaranteed MLS contracts and how they can leave a player out in the cold.

SoccerByIves wonders who will fill the last MLS coaching vacancy in Colorado. It looks like it’s coming down to someone with a giant forehead. 

Landon Donovan is eligible to play for Everton tomorrow.

Frank Giase thinks the Red Bulls might regret loaning out Thierry Henry. Anyone who watched Henry play in MLS might think Arsenal will regret putting a guy that slow out on the pitch. Or maybe Red Bulls fans will regret buying his jersey when they see how hard he plays for his old club. Ooh, so much could go wrong. How exciting!

TSN2 is broadcasting the MLS SuperDraft live in Canada this year, and they want to know which players are headed north of the border on draft day.

Aston Villa are scoping out a loan move for the Galaxy’s Robbie Keane as they prepare for the possible loss of Darren Bent in the transfer window.

Other

SI’s Steve Davis says World Cup qualifying is the biggest US soccer story for 2012. Of course, he’s right. Because if qualifying doesn’t go well there won’t be any big US soccer stories in 2014.

Eddie Johnson arrived at Puebla. Left Puebla. Will probably join DC United now that Charlie Davies is back at Sochaux (that is an unfounded prediction. But if I’m right, it will be so much fun to watch Valdes shut down Johnson’s signature “run fast” move).

Pia Sundhage called 29 players to Carson, CA for a camp that will help her cut the team down to 20 as the USWNT preps for the Olympics. Independence reps include Nicole Barnhart and Amy Rodriguez.

Manfred Schellscheidt, the first person to earn a US Soccer “A” coaching license, has retired. Read the good words everyone has to say about the man.

Gedion Zelalem is about to enter the Arsenal youth program. He’s training with both the US and German U-15 teams. Eventually, he will have to make a choice. The Washington Post’s Stephen Goff has the story.

And, finally, we leave it up to you to decide which is the better GIF: Arsene Wenger’s Troublesome Pocket or Roy Hodgson’s Ride With Wayne