Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

Look for PSP’s preview of Saturday’s game at PPL Park against Montreal later this morning. In the meanwhile, Kerith Gabriel has this preview, the Guardian has this one.

The Montreal game will be the Union’s seventh in 21 days. Carlos Valdes said, “We’ve spent a lot of energy in the last few games. I think it’s normal when your legs feel heavy. We know we have a lot of games in July, and mentally we have to be in a better condition. It’s hard for us, because we are playing almost every three days. The most important thing is to continue to work hard.”

Saturday will mark Justin Mapp’s return to PPL for the first time since being picked up by Montreal in the expansion draft. He played as a central midfielder over the weekend.

ProSoccerTalk picks Montreal as the winner. Goal.com picks the Union.

John Hackworth said of Kansas City’s defend and counter approach to Wednesday’s Open Cup loss, “That makes me feel good about our team right now, because if we’re getting that kind of respect from our opponents then that means we’re playing the right way. Our biggest challenge is to continue to play good soccer and get results…I can’t be upset with how our team played, or tried to play. We’re young but we know if we keep playing this way the results will come.”

Peter Vermes said his was the more mature team on Wednesday and points to the lesson learned in last year’s playoffs. “Last year we were immature…One of the mistakes we made in the Eastern Conference final, and I think it’s the same thing that bit (Philadelphia) today, is that when you’re playing at home in those big games sometimes you think that you have to go and take the game right away. Tonight that was the difference. We ground the game out, and took advantage of the things we felt we could take advantage of.”

In an article from The Daily Journal about the Union’s recent return to form, Freddy Adu says. “We’re not out of it, we’re not even halfway through our season yet. We’re taking it one game at a time, but at the end of the day, we’re never out of it. It’s the MLS, nobody’s ever out of it.”

Zac MacMath said, “The Cup run was very important for us. We are still on track despite the loss. We still have a great shot to make the playoffs in the Major League Soccer season.”

Item No. 9 on the Sporting News preview of the second half of the season is “Will John Hackworth and Freddy Adu earn their stripes in Philly?”

Jacob Peterson may not think very much of the Union’s supporters, but Michael Lahoud does. “These fans here are something else. I mean, they’re amazing. Everywhere you go, you see the Union shirts and jerseys. The fans care so much and it makes you as a player want to give everything you have and even more.” He added, “These fans know soccer and they’re so passionate. You see that the first time you talk to them. We, as players, need to give them every ounce of energy every time we step on the field. I’m excited about the future and winning a lot of games for them.”

If you like picking scabs, here’s more on the Union’s loss to Kansas City in Wednesday’s US Open Cup semifinal from The Guardian—which includes reaction from PSP editor Dan Walsh—Daily News, TheCup.us, Fox Soccer, MLS Talk, NJ.com, The Kansas City Kansan, Kansas City Infozine, and Down the Byline.

The Union Dues’ reaction to the US Open Cup loss is “So What?”

The latest Union Sound podcast features Chandler Hoffman.

All-Star Game

Chelsea will land in the US on Saturday to begin preparing for the summer tour, including the All-Star Game at PPL Park, and their three new big signings will be with them.

At the Chelsea FC website, former Chelsea defender John Dempsey talks about his time with Philadelphia Fury, which he seems to have really enjoyed. “It had never been in my mind to stay there particularly, but I enjoyed the life for sure. All in all it was a fantastic experience, as I’m sure it is for any players who go out there now.”

Philadelphia Fever

The last Philadelphia Fever home game of the season takes place on Sunday at Washington Township High School in Sewell, NJ. The Fever will be hosting New York Fury, the team coached by former Philadelphia Independence head coach Paul Riley that features several former Independence players including Gina and Tina DiMartino, Estelle Johnson, Nikki Kryzsik, Kia McNeill, LeighAnn Robinson and Haverton’s very own Sinead Farrelly. Kick off is at 7:30pm.

The Fever boasts several local players of its own including Boyertown’s Raelynn Mikell, who is profiled here.

Local

Reading United, second place in the PDL’s Mid-Atlantic Division, hosts first place Ocean City Nor’easters tonight at 7pm at Stadium in Reading. United are tied with Jersey Express on points but have a game in hand. A win will be crucial in their campaign to reach the playoffs. Check out our look at Ocean City and look for our match preview later this morning.

Harrisburg City Islanders, currently fifth place in USL PRO, host Dayton Dutch Lions tonight at Skyline Sports Complex with a 6pm start time. The Patriot-News looks at what Harrisburg must do to stay in the playoff picture.

Here’s a look at the growing popularity of beach soccer at the Jersey shore.

MLS

Toronto have traded Julian de Guzman to Dallas.

Speaking from the top of a big pile of money while gazing adoringly at his own reflection in the ESPY award he just received for “Best MLS Player,” David Beckham opined about his suspension, “Did I deserve a yellow card? Yeah, I probably did deserve a yellow card. Because of my reaction. But did I deserve the second game? That’s for other people to talk about, and other people talk about it very well, by the way.” He continued, “I never regret anything in my life, in my career,” before adding, “There’s moments I wish hadn’t happened.”

In lower division news, it was announced on Thursday that the New York Cosmos, which I believe is, at the moment, little more than a marketing concept and a trophy case in an office in New York with fax connections to offices in Saudi Arabia and Singapore, will join the new NASL in the 2013 season.

Cosmos chairman Seamus O’Brien said, “What you’ll get from me and this organization from now on is a) when we say something we will deliver and b) we will be factually correct. I’m conscious of the heritage and history that we are the custodians of. I’m conscious of the recent issues, and you won’t hear hyperbole from me. I’ve always built for the long term, not for the short term.”

MLS commissioner Don Garber said, “We welcome the Cosmos’ entrance to the NASL. Having a vibrant second division is important to the overall growth and popularity of soccer in North America, and we are pleased to see the NASL add a new franchise.” Garber said the league will continue to talk to the Cosmos and others about becoming the 20th MLS franchise.

US

The New York Daily News talks to Christie Rampone, the 37-year-old mother of two who will be playing in her fourth Olympics. “Everything is still getting better. I love it as much as ever. Why give it up?”

Hope Solo tells ESPN The Magazine that she and her teammates were drunk when they did a Today Show interview after winning the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. “When we were done partying, we got out of our nice dresses, got back into our stadium coats and, at 7am, with no sleep, went on the ‘Today’ show drunk. Needless to say, we looked like hell!”

ESPN looks back on Jurgen Klinsmann’s first year as USMNT coach. Prognosis: good start, much work to be done.

Fulham is reported to be offering £9 million and Clint Dempsey for Andy Carroll.

Elsewhere

Sepp Blatter faces calls to step down as president of FIFA after he revealed in an interview on the federation’s website that he knew of the bribes that were paid to former president João Havelange and former Brazil federation president Ricardo Teixeira. Blatter calls the bribes “commissions” and says because they were not illegal under Swiss law, what could he have done? “Known what? That commission was paid? Back then, such payments could even be deducted from tax as a business expense. Today, that would be punishable under law. You can’t judge the past on the basis of today’s standards. Otherwise it would end up with moral justice. I can’t have known about an offense that wasn’t even one.”

Blatter also says he is powerless to punish Havelange, who remains honorary president of FIFA’s executive committee. “I don’t have the power to call him to account. The Congress named him as Honorary President. Only the Congress can decide his future. ”

John Terry has been found not guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

The schedules for the men’s and women’s soccer Olympic tournaments are now available at NBColympics.com.

Looks like its the fourth division for Glasgow Rangers.