Philadelphia Union

Nick Sakiewicz and Jim Curtin are scheduled to make “a major announcement” at noon in a press conference that will be streamed live on the Union’s YouTube channel.

It is widely expected — see reports at djazair-foot.com (crappy Google translation here), Soccerly, Delco Times, Daily News, Soccer America, and Playing for 90 — that the press conference will announce the signing of Algerian national team goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi.

You will recall that earlier reports linked M’Bolhi to the Union, with Portuguese site O Jogo reported (crappy Google translation here) reporting on Saturday that the goalkeeper had signed a three year deal.

Kansas City’s backline will be missing a few key players when they host the Union on Friday night. So sad.

The Union will travel to Harrisburg for the annual friendly against the City Islanders on Aug. 28. The game comes between the the game against San Jose on Aug. 24 and the game against Toronto on Sept. 3, both of which are at PPL Park. More on the friendly from Penn Live.

In the latest power rankings at MLSsoccer.com, the Union remain at No. 11. “The Union will go into Friday’s game at SKC with their full squad and plenty of rest. Time to really see what they’re made of.”

The top five Union players in the Full Castrol Index are  Conor Casey (No. 14), Andrew Wenger (No. 26), Amobi Okugo (No. 67), Leo Fernandes (No. 82), and Danny Cruz (No. 84).

In an ESPN report on Freddy Adu signing with s Serbian club, Alejandro Moreno was asked why Adu can’t play in MLS. Pointing to the fact that Adu has played on ten clubs in ten years, he replied, “Perhaps not the most solid citizen in the locker room, perhaps not the most committed guy on the field,” adding, “He wants first class money and he’s not a first class player.” Yep.

Local

Harrisburg City Islanders host LA Galaxy II tonight at 7 pm (YouTube). With LA is former Union man Chandler Hoffman, who leads the team with 10 goals, fourth best in USL PRO. Previews from City Islanders and LA Galaxy II.

Pedro Ribeiro, on loan to Harrisburg City Islanders, has been named to the USL PRO Team of the Week. Also making the list is City Islanders defender Matt Bahner. Former Union man Yann Ekra and Union 2014 SuperDraft pick Robbie Derschang received honorable mentions.

Harrisburg will host the Union in their annual friendly on Aug. 28 at 7 pm.

Temple and US U-20 defender Robert Sagel has been named one of TopDrawerSoccer.com’s top ten standout Division I players of the 2014 PDL season for his play with Reading United.

The University of Delaware men’s soccer website has an article on junior midfielder Dieter Bahr, grandson of Philly soccer legend Walt Bahr.

The Courier Post has a report on the clinic run on Monday by coaches from the Liverpool FC Foundation in conjunction with the Camden Youth Soccer Club.

MLS

Tonight’s midweek matches include DC United vs Toronto FC (7 pm, MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick, SiriusXM FC), New England Revolution vs Colorado Rapids (7:30 pm, MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick), Chicago Fire vs Vancouver Whitecaps (8:30 pm, MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick), and Real Salt Lake vs New York Red Bulls (9 pm, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, Watch ESPN, SiriusXM FC).

FC Dallas have traded former Union man Andrew Jacobson to New York City FC in exchange for NYCFC’s highest 2016 third round SuperDraft pick. Jacobson will go on loan to Bob Bradley’s Stabæk in Norway until the end of the year.

DC have acquired defender Kofi Opare and a 2015 second round SuperDraft pick from LA Galaxy. In return, LA receive DC’s spot in the allocation order. Jermaine Jones, anyone?

Montreal have acquired midfielder Dilly Duka from Chicago Fire in exchange for midfielder Sanna Nyassi.

NWSL

Two midweek matches tonight. At 7 pm, it’s Washington Spirit vs Kansas City (NSCAA TV, YouTube), followed at 9 pm by Houston Dash vs Seattle Reign (ESPN3, NSCAA TV, YouTube).

US

Transfermarkt.de reports (crappy Google translation here) that USMNT assistant coach Andreas Herzog has signed a contract extension through the 2018 World Cup.

At SI, Brian Straus talks to Mark Geiger about officiating at the World Cup. It’s a good read, especially Geiger’s comments on the difference between calling internationals versus MLS games.

Tim Howard will be providing color commentary for NBC in up to 10 Premier League matches this season.

In Guinness International Champions Cup news, some 20 fans ran on to the pitch in the 87th minute of Roma’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid st the Cotton Bowl. At FedEx Field in Maryland, Manchester United’s home stadium was displayed as “Old Traddord” on the enormous Jumbotron for nearly an hour during Tuesday night’s game against Inter. United won 5-3 on penalty kicks after 90 minutes of scoreless soccer.

Elsewhere

Carlo Tavecchio, the candidate for the head of the Italian football federation who recently made racist remarks about players from Africa, still has the support of most of the clubs in Serie A. Tevecchio said of his comments, “I made an unfortunate remark; I was wrong. I am sorry and I have apologized. But I can say, with arrogance, that few have done what I have done for the third world.”

Not only will San Lorenzo players be taking Viagra to combat the effects of high altitude when they play Bolivian club Bolivar tonight, they’ve done it before.

The adoptive father of Carlos Tevez was kidnapped in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. He was released after eight hours.