Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

The Union will look to erase the memory of giving up the lead against Chicago last weekend when they host Real Salt Lake on Saturday (4:00 pm: 6abc, Univision Deportes, MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick).

Previews of the game from PSP, David Murphy’s Union blog, Brotherly Game, Real Salt Lake. Video previews from Philadelphia Union and Real Salt Lake.

Fellow SB Nation blogs RSL Soapbox and Brotherly Game ask each other three questions ahead of Saturday’s game.

Jeff Attinella will replace Nick Rimando in goal for Real Salt Lake for the second straight week. Rimando is recovering from a knock he picked up with the USMNT in last week’s game against Mexico. More from the Salt Lake Tribune.

Zolo Times has some thoughts ahead of the Union’s series of three games in eight days.

More on Andrew Wenger from Wednesday’s press conference from Philadelphia Union, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and CSN Philly.

Asked if the fact that he is replacing Jack McInerney increases the pressure on him, Wenger said, “No, I don’t think so.”

At MLSsoccer.com, Dave Zeitlin talks to Amobi Okugo about McInerney’s departure. “I was one of the first to know from him personally. It took me by surprise. But that’s what happened when it was me and Danny living together. I thought he was joking when he told me he got traded…I’ve been through two of these with very close friends of mine. Hopefully it just works out with Jack.”

Okugo says of being the only player remaining on the Union roster who has been with the club through every season, “It’s crazy to be here from the very beginning – that very first draft class. It means a lot [that] the team has valued me so far. I’m just hoping to stay and contribute and help the team out. It’s just an honor to still be here.”

Asked by MLS Transfers if there was one last thing he would say to John Hackworth, McInerney replied, “Big mistake.”

McInerney explained his comment before the preseason that he would only re-sign with the Union if he was offered big money. “Now that Montreal has announced I have one more year on my contract, the reason I said I would only redo a deal with Philly at the beginning of the year for big money is because that’s what made sense. With another year there was no point of signing because what if I had a big year? Then I would be stuck with what I had when I could go bigger.  They had to make it worth it to me, and that’s why I said big money. Not that I thought I deserved big money though, obviously, I would like it.”

 At Union Tally, Matthew De George ponders the legacy of Keon Daniel. “The truth has become obvious that Daniel is no longer an MLS regular, as the purchasing power of clubs and the talent in the league increases. He could find himself a solid career in the NASL, especially if he finds that potential Hackworth believes is still within him. But the player that Daniel has proven to be for the last three years isn’t up to snuff in MLS any longer.”

The MLS Players Union released the latest salary information on Thursday. At Philly.com, Jonathan Tannenwald has a breakdown of the numbers.

In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives, the Sons of Ben have announced they will be conducting a minute of silence starting in the 6th minute of Saturday’s game against Real Salt Lake.

Local

Lumberton, NJ’s Ryan Finley, the former Reading United player drafted by Columbus in 2013, was sent by the Crew on loan to USL PRO side Dayton Dutch Lions but, after appearing in the season opener, was a scratch from last Friday’s game in Charlotte. Dayton head coach Sid van Druenen said, “It comes down to a decision from the technical staff that we’re not fully happy with his performance in training and games. He knows what he needs to work on, and once he does, he’ll become an option. It’s a very simple answer.”

MLS

With the release of the latest salary information for the league’s players, ESPN notes, “Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey is the the highest-paid player in MLS at $6.695 million in guaranteed compensation this season, more money than the total player payrolls of 15 of the 19 MLS clubs.”

Player news and moves:

• Kansas City have announced that Ike Opara will undergo surgery next week to repair a chondral defect in his right ankle and is expected to miss the rest of the 2014 season.
• Chicago have announced that Mike Magee signed a new contract.
• Chivas USA have acquired Argentine midfielder Martin Rivero from Colorado in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2015.
• Chivas USA have waived midfielder Daniel Fragoso and defender Andrew Ribeiro. Ribeiro played the 2013 USL PRO season with Harrisburg City Islanders.
• The league disciplinary committee has suspended DC United’s Lewis Neal for one game for “serious foul play that endangered the safety of an opponent.”

The Daily Herald looks at Chicago’s efforts to “reignite” its fan base.

NWSL

The 2014 NWSL season starts this weekend. With Philadelphia not having a club in the league, my attention is on former Philadelphia Independence players and coaches. The Oregonian writes that “dynamic” Paul Riley, the former Independence head coach, has high aspirations for his current team, the Portland Thorns.

Speaking of the Thorns, La Salle standout and Philadelphia native Courtney Niemiec has signed with the club. La Salle head coach Paul Royal said, “I told [Riley] when he inquired about Courtney that I felt she would not only make the squad, but that he would also be the one to help get her onto the full National Team someday.” Niemiec is the first La Salle women’s player to sign a professional contract.

At the Guardian, Tom Dart looks at the Houston Dynamo’s backing of new NWSL side the Houston Dash.

US

beIN Sports reports that an announcement that the 2016 Copa America tournament will be staged in the US could come as early as May 1. The report says, “All 10 teams from the South American confederation will participate. The United States, Mexico and four additional CONCACAF teams will join them.” 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the tournament.

At ESPN, Allex Labidou talks to Alejandro Bedoya, who hopes his move to Ligue 1 has improved his chances of going to Brazil.

The USWNT defeated China 3-0 in a friendly in San Diego on Thursday night. Delran’s Carli Lloyd scored the first two US goals, her 49th and 50th for the national team. Match recaps from US Soccer, SBI, ProSoccerTalk, Philly Soccer News, and the AP.

Abby Wambach talks to FIFA.com about her expectations for the 2015 Women’s World Cup.

Elsewhere

Checkout the latest Footy on the Telly for listings of the week’s upcoming live games on TV, online, and on satellite radio.

After Friday morning’s UEFA Champions League semifinal draw, Chelsea will face Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich will face Real Madrid. At The Guardian, Jonathan Wilson looks at how the semifinalists compare.

Thibaut Courtois, Atletico’s goalkeeper, is on loan to the club from Chelsea, who reportedly had a clause added to his loan deal stating that the Madrid club would have to pay Chelsea $8.3 million if the clubs were to meet in the Champions League. UEFA issued a statement on Friday morning declaring the clause unenforceable. “The integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle for UEFA.”

In the Europa League semifinals, it will be Juventus vs. Benfica and Sevilla vs. Valencia.

The AP reports, “Workers ended a strike at the World Cup stadium in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba after disrupting traffic for nearly two hours and forcing organizers to accept their demands on Thursday.” And what were the demands of the more than 100 striking workers at the Arena da Baixada? To be paid the salaries owed to them.

SI has a report from the Street Child World Cup in Brazil.