Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

Look for PSP’s preview of Saturday’s Union road game against Columbus later today. In the meanwhile, you can get up to speed on the history between the two clubs with our Quick Reference.

Sheanon Williams said of Saturday’s game, “We want to go out and have a good performance; we obviously don’t want to have back-to-back games where we don’t get any points. I think that not getting any points would be pretty unacceptable.”

John Hackworth said, “The last thing we want is to go on a two-game losing streak and come back and have to rebuild the positive momentum.”

Danny Cruz said of Columbus, “I’m expecting to go there and be playing a good team. They’re playing well right now, I think, and we’re looking forward to given them our best on the road and coming back the following week and playing in front of our fans.”

Kevin Kinkead has a scouting report on the Crew.

In the Crew’s scouting report on the Union, much of the focus is on containing Brian Carroll. Columbus coach says, “[Carroll] has experience, he organizes the team. We have to make sure that we own the middle of the field.”

6abc’s David Murphy writes that what rattles his nerves about Saturday’s game is “the Crew’s consistency in recent years over the long haul and the fact that Philadelphia may still have the ghosts of last week in their minds.”

Previews from Philadelphia Inquirer, CBS Philly, DelawareOnline.com, David Murphy’s Philadelphia Union Blog, ColumbusCrew.com, Goal.com, and Union Dues.

At Goal.com, Kyle McCarthy predicts a Columbus win.

Players on the Union and the Crew will wear special shoelaces in support of Autism Awareness Month.

Will Kleberson play on Saturday? ProSoccerTalk joins many Union fans in hoping so.

Hackworth said of Kleberson, “It’s great to have him. I’m really excited to have the kind of quality he has and experience and a player, a man who has won so many trophies in his career, the value he brings is immeasurable.”

Nick Sakiewicz said of Kleberson at Wednesday’s unveiling, “It’s always, always great to bring an international player who wants to be here. And I can tell you this man wants to be here. And it’s really gratifying for me to see an international player that respects Major League Soccer, that respects the way we play and has a high regard for the league.”

At Delco Times, Matthew DeGeorge talks to Antoine Hoppenot about his super sub role on the team. “I come in the game and when the defenders are tired, the last thing they want to do is chase a little guy around. It’s kind of annoying. That’s what I try to do. The angrier they get at me, the more I know I’m doing my job.”

At Union Tally, DeGeorge also has another piece in which Union rookie and Brazil native Leo Fernandes describes how excited he is to be playing with Kleberson, an idol of his. “I told my uncle and my aunt, they live in Brazil. They can’t believe I’m playing with Kleberson. It’s so surreal to me that I’m playing with him.”

At Delco Times, Chris Vito makes a return to the Union beat with a look at how the club has handled the transition from a wasted 2012 season to a new beginning in 2013. The article has some interesting quotes from Sebastien Le Toux and Amobi Okugo.

Le Toux on his role and expectations: “As a leader, I am trying to lead by example, that scoring goals isn’t the top goal. I’m used to winning. I don’t care if I score. If I don’t even touch the ball and we win, that’s great. I want this team to win, and I don’t need to score lots of goals to satisfy me. Wins—that’s what matters.”

Okugo on the change from Nowak to Hackworth: “No one is afraid to go to his office and ask where they stand or what they need to improve on. With the previous manager, he’d see that as you threatening him or coming at him. It’s good to be comfortable enough to have the confidence or ability to ask the manager what you need to improve on.”

Jeff Cook has resigned as head coach of the Dartmouth College men’s soccer team to become the director of recruitment for the Union’s youth academy. Valley news reports, “He will also have a role working with the professional team.”

At ASN, an article looking at rising USMNT stars includes Zach Pfeffer. Josh Deaver writes, “Currently with the under-18 national team, he is likely to be a focal point for the U.S. under-20 squad in the upcoming cycle.”

In an article at the Courier-Post about how the high cost of attending professional sporting events means that many fans are simply watching from home or looking for better values,  Swedesboro resident Patrick Wilbraham says the best value is at minor league baseball and Union games. “I can stand all match and yell as loud as I want and not get looked at funny or told to sit down…I have written off hopes to attend an Eagles game unless someone gives me tickets. I feel like I have a lot more fun at the Union games. It’s all about embracing the alternatives.”

Happy birthday to Greg Jordan.

Local

Harrisburg City Islanders defeated Villanova 1-0 on Thursday evening in their penultimate preseason game.

MLS

Carloz Ruiz is biding his time as he works to break into DC’s starting XI. Dwayne DeRosario is one of several players who are unavailable for DC against Kansas City tonight due to injury.

Obafemi Martins is out injured after making only two appearances with the Sounders.

Orlando’s mayor says Orlando City Lions need to contribute more money to the cost of building a new soccer specific stadium. More here.

US

Philly soccer legend Walt Bahr at US Soccer Centennial celebration at Times Square. Photo: Courtesy of US Soccer Twitter Account.

The USWNT plays Germany today in a friendly (12:15pm, ESPN3)

At The Guardian, Graham Parker reports on the US Soccer Centennial.

The New York Times has some photos from US Soccer’s Centennial celebrations at Times Square on Thursday.

Among those in attendance was Philly soccer legend Walt Bahr.

Elsewhere

CONCACAF has announced some roster and tie-breaking rule changes for the upcoming Gold Cup.

Lionel Messi will host a charity game at Chicago’s Soldier Field in July.

That match-fixing investigation in Singapore into three refs that we linked to on Thursday? The AP reports that they’ve been charged “for accepting ‘free sexual service” in return for fixing an Asian Football Confederation Cup match.”