Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

In his latest blog post, Sebastien Le Toux recounts Union games since the contest with New York on Aug. 17, and it’s largely a tale of bad referee decisions, bad luck, and hitting the post. He concludes, “We are not in the best position right now, tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference. Everything is still possible, but we need a big reaction in the final five games of the regular season to make the playoffs.” Oui.

Jeff Parke says, “The next five games are the most important. We have to really push and turn that switch on and make as many good plays as you can. All of these games have a playoff type atmosphere about them now which does pump up the adrenaline a great deal. And if you can pull points from them it’s really a great motivator. We just need to make sure we really know how to get everything ready and check into these games, as every single one from here on out is vital.”

Chris Albright elaborates, “At this point, it’s really about individual guys making plays. You can talk about all the cliché things that guys say, like ‘win your battles’ but it’s really true. It comes down to guys making the plays whether it’s a clearance off the goal line or a save those are the things that separate teams at this juncture of the season.”

Ahead of Friday’s huge game in Kansas City, Sporting KC midfielder Oriol Rosell and forward Claudio Bieler remain questionable for selection after missing last Saturday’s 2-1 road win over Toronto.

In MLSsoccer.com’s latest power rankings, the Union kindly remain at No. 12. “Hopefully during the bye week they’ll have reacquainted Jack McInerney and Conor Casey with the goal.”

You will recall that Amobi Okugo came in at No. 8, and Jack McInerney at No. 4, in the recent “24 Under 24” series at MLSsoccer.com. The website now has a 24 Under 24 list based on the opinions of Opta stat analysts. In that list, Okugo comes in at No. 12 and McInerney receives only an honorable mention.

Arguing that 24 isn’t really young, Columbus Crew blog Massive Report put together a 21 Under 21 list. McInerney comes in at No. 5. In a similar list posted later at Goal.com, McInerney comes in at No. 6.

In a look at how the 2013 rookie class compares to the 2012 class in MLS, Soccer America notes that Ray Gaddis is one of only four players who have duplicated their 2012 rookie success in 2013.

A fan post at the Brotherly Game wonders if the Union need a No. 10 and concludes, of the players currently available, Keon Daniel makes the most sense in that role.

Local

Two second half goals in less than four-and-a-half minutes from freshman forward Max Kroschwitz saw Vilanova come from behind to defeat the visiting Penn Quakers, 2-1, in Philly Soccer Six play. More on the game here.

Drexel increased their winning streak to four with a 2-0 win over Rutgers.

The La Salle women’s team is back on top in the latest NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Division I poll.

Several area players have been named to the 20-player US U-17 roster that will face academy teams from Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, and another yet to be announced team at the AGS Cup in Alicante, Spain. They are Kevin Silva (GK: PDA; Bethlehem, Pa.), Daniel Barbir (D: PDA; Allentown, Pa.), Matthew Olosunde (D: New York Red Bulls Academy; Trenton, N.J.), Thomas McCabe (M: PDA; South Orange, N.J.), and Christian Pulisic (F: PA Classics; Hershey, Pa.).

MLS

Montreal are eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions league despite defeating Heredia 2-0 on Tuesday night. They needed to score six goals to survive the group stage.

Two Champions League games are on tap tonight, with Houston hosting Trinidad & Tobago’s W Connection (8 pm, Fox Sports 2, Fox Soccer 2Go) and LA on the road in Costa Rica to face Cartagines (10 pm, Fox Soccer Plus; Fox Soccer 2Go).

When top of the East New York travels to face top of the West Seattle on Sunday (9 pm, ESPN), the winner could, depending on several different scenarios, clinch a playoff spot. New York needs the Union to tie or lose against Kansas City. If the Union defeat Kansas City, New York can still clinch if Chicago ties or loses against Montreal. Or something like that.

New York is likely to be without Thierry Henry and Jamison Olave due to concerns about playing on the turf at Century Link Field. Bradley Wright-Phillips will also be unavailable due to a right hamstring injury.

At Al Jazeera America, Graham Parker has an interesting article on the wealth of user data that will be available from FIFA14 that can be used by US soccer officials to better understand soccer’s potential audience. “Among U.S. soccer officials, the notion that the ‘FIFA’ franchise might represent a significant front in the battle to engage hearts and minds in North America is an idea taken very seriously. In a market where fewer than 50 percent of Americans have access to a local MLS team and where large-market teams like the New York Red Bulls must compete with nearly a dozen other major sports teams (as well as televised versions of the bigger European leagues) for attention, the ‘FIFA’ success story throughout the continent may offer some intriguing clues as to where to place finite resources.”

It’s official, Brian Ching is retiring at the end of the season. On Dec. 13, a charity testimonial match will be played in his honor at BBVA Compass Stadium. Among those who have committed to play in the match are Landon Donovan, Carlos Bocanegra, Brad Davis, Dwayne De Rosario, Chris Wondolowski, Eddie Robinson, and more.

Soccer America notes that, believe it or not, this is the first testimonial staged by a MLS team since the league was founded.

Orlando City SC has surpassed its target of more than 15,000 signatures from fans supporting its efforts to secure an MLS franchise in Orlando.

US

John Anthony Brooks will miss two to three weeks after injuring his right arm on Sunday with Hertha Berlin. The injury means he will not be available for the final two World Cup qualifiers on Oct. 11 against Jamaica and Oct. 15 against Panama. That means Brooks can’t be cap-tied to the US until the World Cup.

Elsewhere

Some 75 players in Brazil have signed an open letter expressing concerns that fixture congestion resulting from the compacted domestic league schedule that has been arranged to accommodate the World Cup could be injurious to players’ health.

A Brazilian judge has suggested that the new stadium being constructed in the isolated state of Amazonas for the World Cup could be used as a prisoner processing center after the tournament. The AP reports, “The new 44,000-seat stadium in Manaus, being built at a cost of $275 million, will host only four World Cup matches. The city of 2.3 million has no team in Brazil’s first or second division, and little soccer tradition.”