Photo: Barb Colligon

Philadelphia Union

Back from a five-day scouting trip in South America, John Hackworth tells Dave Zeitlin, “I can see a really likely possibility we will have a signing based on that trip and based on our scouting in South America.” Really likely possibility? C’mon, now.

Anyway, Hackworth says that he and new head of international player development Ricardo Ansaldi “saw an awful lot, which is excellent because we had a long list of targets. Now we’ve got to make some decisions.” Long list of targets? Do tell.

Additionally, Zeitlin tweeted, “Hackworth also said the club will announce the hiring of a new assistant coach very soon, probably this week.”

Carlos Valdes came in fifth in the voting for the league’s Defender of the Year award.

Zach Pfeffer and Union academy goalkeeper Zack Steffen will face Canada today at the Home Depot Center with the USMNT U-18s.

The Brotherly Game rounds up a variety of rumors linking Carlos Ruiz to a return to the Union. Hilarious.

From the Department of Rubbing It In, Portland Timbers blog Stumptown Footy assesses the Mwanga-Perlaza trade. Unsurprisingly, the strong consensus is that it was a great trade for Portland with the Union getting nothing out of the deal but cap space, although there is some concern about Mwanga’s salary numbers. Says one analyst, “I’m not sure who initiated the transfer but it was either a brilliant move by the Portland Timbers or an insane move by the Philadelphia Union.”

MLS

David Beckham confirmed on Tuesday that he will not join New York Red Bulls or any other MLS team after he leaves the Galaxy following this year’s MLS Cup final.

Beckham is proud of how the league has grown during his six years with the Galaxy. The Guardian considers what he accomplished for the league.

Asked what his plans are for after the end of his playing career, Beckham said, “Management is something that I’m not interested in, but ownership—definitely.”

Until Beckham announces his decision some time after the MLS Cup about where he will next play, there is sure to be plenty of entertaining speculation. One rumored destination is apparently out, though. PSG manager Carlo Ancelloti says Beckham is headed to Paris. “We did not offer, good luck to him.”

Many were surprised that Corey Hertzog was waived by New York on Monday, considering the fact that he had seen very limited first team playing time in the two years since he was drafted by the club on a Generation adidas contract. SBI reports that Hertzog graduation from the 2011 GA class is the result of a change in league policy aimed at placing a greater emphasis on Homegrown Players as a route for player development. Beginning two years ago, some, but not all, GA signings were given reduced two-year contracts.

WV Hooligan’s series on SuperDraft prospects concludes with a look at forwards.

Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger says he will decide in January whether he will try to bring Henry back to the club on loan during the MLS offseason.

Former Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz has been named the 2012 MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year.

Silviu Petrescu has been named the MLS Referee of the Year. Petrescu will be the referee in the MLS Cup final on Dec. 1.

Women’s Soccer

US Soccer president Sunil Gulati will hold a conference call today at 1pm to discuss the new women’s professional league. Gulati will be joined by representatives of the Canadian Soccer Association, the Federation of Mexican Football and at least one team owner. So far, word is that the new league will include Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC, and Western New York Flash, as well as teams from Kansas City, Portland, Seattle and Washington, DC.

Absent from the list (in addition to a Philadelphia team) is a team from LA. The Equalizer reports that two long established Southern California teams, LA Strikes and Pali Blues, had prepared a joint bid to join the league but have been excluded for geographic reasons (e.g. it would be too costly for teams to travel to LA to play them, or for them to travel to play other teams). More on this from The Goat Parade.

US

In case you missed it, Hope Solo’s aunt told the Oregonian that Jerramy Stevens, Solo’s then-fiance, did not assault her last Monday. The aunt also says the couple’s wedding the following day started three hours late because Solo had to bail Stevens out of jail.

Elsewhere

Following the 3–0 loss to Juventus in Tuesday’s Champions League game, Chelsea have fired manager Roberto Di Matteo.

For listings of today’s live Champions League matches on TV and online, check out this week’s Footy on the Telly.

Didier Drogba has asked FIFA for special permission to move to a new club on loan so that he can prepare for the upcoming African Cup of Nations ahead of January’s transfer window. Drogba’s season with Chinese club Super League club Shanghai Shenhua, with whom he is contracted to until 2014, finished earlier this month.

Yesterday’s Champions League match between Nordsjaelland and Shakhtar Dontesk in Copenhagen featured a particularly despicable act of unsporting play. Know this, Luiz Adriano: instant karma is gonna get you.