Photo: Nick Waters

Look for the Philly Soccer Show podcast later this morning with guest John Hackworth. The new Union head coach talks to KYW’s Greg Orlandini and PSP’s Eli Pearlman-Storch about how he is different from Peter Nowak and what he learned from him, the upcoming transfer window and what the Union might be looking for, the merits of Generation adidas, how to get the best out of Lionard Pajoy and Freddy Adu, the 4-3-3, Saturday’s game against Kansas City, and more.

Philadelphia Union

The Union have won their bid to host the US Open Cup semifinal match at PPL Park if they defeat Harrisburg City Islanders in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Season ticket holders have until 6pm today to buy tickets to Tuesday’s game and receive free tickets to the semifinal game, which would be against either Sporting Kansas City (July 11) or Dayton Dutch Lions (July 10). To purchase tickets, call 877-21-UNION (877-218-6466) and press 1 for Ticketing.

John Hackworth will serve as assistant coach of the MLS All-Star team after DC United’s Ben Olsen was selected to replace Peter Nowak as head coach. Said Nelson Rodríguez, MLS executive vice president of competition and game operations, “Adding John Hackworth at his side strengthens the group that will assemble and prepare our team for this important game.”

Olsen, who hails from Harrisburg recently said, “My brother lives in Philadelphia, my sister lives right outside and I spent a great deal of my soccer career as a youth playing in Philadelphia. I love the city and I love the soccer community there, so it’s always nice to go back.”

The Guardian previews this weekend’s MLS matches, and the Philly Soccer Page is part of it, contributing a preview on the upcoming Union-Kansas City match.

Jorge Perlaza says, “I’m very mobile in front of the attack. I like to encroach in the 18-yard box. I like to get the ball on my feet and I think, with this team, I can contribute on many levels.”

Marc Narducci talks to everyone’s favorite spark plug, Antoine Hoppenot.

Kerith Gabriel talks to Jack McInerney about being out of the doghouse.

More from Hackworth’s Wednesday press conference, where he said, “It’s my job to instill faith and confidence in these players – especially the young ones.”

What happened the last time the Union played Kansas City? Check out our quick reference for stats, video, highlights from our reports and more. Look for our match preview later today.

Goal.com predicts Kansas City will defeat the Union on Saturday. Here’s their match preview.

In Unholy Union’s “two-sided” preview, the local lad predicts a draw while the guy who used to work at Livestrong Park predicts a Kansas City win.

Local

Reading United host Long Island Rough Riders on Sunday at 4pm. Look for our match preview later this morning.

Ocean City Nor’easters are on the road to face Westchester Flames on Saturday.

Harrisburg City Islanders are on the road this weekend for two games. Tonight they face Orlando City at 7:30pm and on Saturday it is Charleston Battery, also at 7:30pm. Both matches will be streamed live at USLLive.com. City Islanders lost to Orlando last year in the USL PRO championship final on penalty kicks.

In NPSL action, second place in the Keystone Conference AC Crusaders will host first place FC Sonic on Sunday at Egg Harbor Township High School at 5pm. Junior Lone Star, 2-6-0 in their inaugural NPSL season, host Morris County Colonials at Northeast High School on Sunday at 7pm.

Princeton makes Livability.com’s top ten list of the best small to mid-sized cities in the country for soccer.

MLS

Danny Mwanga was pleased with his debut for Portland.

While MLSsoccer.com’s continuing look at soccer statistics considers the importance of possession, The Throw In argues that stats can only tell part of the story.

Women’s Soccer

The Philadelphia Fever are on the road this weekend to face Western New York Flash at Sahlen Stadium in Rochester.

US

US Soccer announced on Thursday that the USMNT will play Mexico at the Azteca on August 15. The match, which will be shown live on ESPN, Univision and ESPN3, is the first friendly between the two teams to be played on Mexican soil since 1984.

Abby Wambach talks Olympics, the future of women’s pro soccer and more.

The Shin Guardian article arguing that college soccer system hinders the integration of youth players into professional teams continues to cause a reaction.

Elsewhere

In today’s quarterfinal action at the Euros, it is Germany vs. Greece (2:45pm; ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3, ESPN Radio).

Viewership for the Euros through the group stages has been mightily impressive, with twice as many Americans watching the tournament now compared to 2008.

ProSoccerTalk believes expanding the Euros to a 24 team format is “a terrible, horrible, no-good idea.”

Sepp Blatter is confident that goal-line technology will be approved when the International Football Association Board meets in July.

Adidas expects sales this year to exceed those of the last World Cup year of 2010.

The Budweiser-backed signing of several former internationals to non-league side Wembley FC to compete in the FA Cup, of which the beer company is the primary sponsor, has raised a few eyebrows. Brian McBride is among the players signed.