Photo: Earl Gardner

Philadelphia Union

The Daily Doop has more background on new Union assistant coach Jim Curtin who “will be instrumental in the design and flow of the Union’s training sessions” as well as assisting in scouting college talent.

The article also reminds everyone that the list of players whose clubs have decline to exercise options on their contract will be made available on Thursday. Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Draft takes place next Friday, Dec. 7 with Stage 2 taking place Dec. 14.

Local

Harrisburg City Islanders have unveiled a new logo in celebration of their tenth anniversary. The club will be having an open house at their front office on Saturday from 1-4pm.

La Salle goalkeeper Gabrielle Pakhtigian and midfielder Renee Washington have been named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. Pakhtigian earned first team honors while Washington earned third team honors.

The second round of the USASA Region I qualification tournament for the US Open Cup takes place on Sunday.

MLS

The MLS Cup Final between LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo kicks of at 4:30pm on Saturday on ESPN.

JP Dellacamera has ten things to consider ahead of the final. The Guardian has five factors. The Goalkeeper talks to Taylor Twellman about what Union fans might learn from the Galaxy and Dynamo.

At Goal.com, Kyle McCarthy previews the game and predicts the Galaxy will win.

At ESPN, Roger Bennett looks at how the league will cope with the departure of David Beckham after the final. Don Garber says in the article, “We did not make David the face of the league. The public and the media did. What we are eager to do now is have the teams and the supporters movements be MLS’ face. It is our incredible supporter culture—the atmosphere in our stadia—that sets us apart. We did not have that culture in 2007. Now we do. Our fans will be the new David Beckham.” Just so long as they don’t use any naughty words, right Don?

Grant Wahl has an extended Q&A with Garber covering a variety of topics at SI.

David Beckham says he will continue to promote MLS even after he leaves the league. He also said, “I might not be playing here but I will become a owner of a franchise and it’s something that I’m excited about. We’re close to a decision on that, but I can’t say it right now.”

Beckham also said of the rumors that he is joining the New York Cosmos, “That’s definitely not true.” Same of the rumors he’s joining AS Monaco.

Perhaps the bigger issue is the potential retirement of Landon Donovan.

Zac Lee Rigg writes at Goal.com that Landon Donovan has earned a break if he wants to take one.

Patrick Ianni has won Goal of the Year and Nick Rimando has won Save of the Year.

The league will present its stadium plan to community leaders in Queens on Monday.

ProSoccerTalk looks at some of the problems with the proposed $400 million soccer stadium complex in Tampa. Field of Schemes takes a more pointed view

The Pittsburgh Tribune looks at the new Pittsburgh Riverhounds stadium, which is nearing completion. Currently in the USL PRO league, the team’s ultimate goal is to join MLS.

The Goalkeeper digs into the ratings for MLS games on NBCSN. Philadelphia comes in at No. 7 in NBC’s Top Ten highest metered markets.

Women’s Soccer

US Soccer announced on Thursday that former women’s national team general manager Cheryl Bailey will serve as executive director of the new women’s professional league.

The semifinals of the NCAA women’s soccer championship take place today. Penn State takes on Florida State (8:30pm, ESPNU) and defending champion Stanford takes on North Carolina (11pm, ESPN3). The final will be decided on Sunday (4pm, ESPNU).

US

Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach have been named as finalists for FIFA’s Women’s World Player of the Year. Former USWNT coach Pia Sundhage has been nominated for Women’s World Coach of the Year.

Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo, and Abby Wambach are the choices for US Soccer’s Female Athlete of the Year. Place your vote here.

ESPNW considers Hope Solo’s future under new USWNT coach Tom Sermanni. Could the off-field negatives outweigh the on-field positives?

In the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura final on Wednesday evening, Club Tijuana, which includes US players Edgar Castillo, Joe Corona, and Greg Garza, defeated Toluca 2–1.

The New York Times has a very interesting Q&A with Tim Ream, who joined Bolton last season only to see them relegated.

Elsewhere

For listings of live soccer games on TV and online for the upcoming week, check out the latest Footy on the Telly.

At the Guardian, Sid Lowe looks at how the remarkable story of Real Oviedo, the club the world united to save.