Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

Right then, back to business.

The Union host Chicago Fire on Sunday evening in a nationally broadcast game (7 pm: Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go).

It is vital the No. 9 Union carry over momentum from Wednesday’s US Open Cup semifinal win to defeat the No. 10 Chicago if they are to stay out of last place themselves and keep close to NYCFC and Orlando in the rapidly closing playoff picture. And everyone knows Chicago will be gunning for some quick revenge.

Look for our preview and quick reference later this morning. In the meanwhile here are a couple of previews from the Inquirer and MLSsoccer.com.

At Delco Times, Matthew De George highlights Michael Lahoud’s strong return over the last two games after a long absence due to from injury. Aware his return comes with nearer to the the end of the season than he would like, Lahoud says,

One of the staff members put it to me this way. He said I had two ways of looking it: I could do the usual way of just putting my head down and thinking the season was over and what’s the point, or I could be motivated by it and see it as I have a chance to really help the team pick back up and finish the season strong. That’s kind of been my motto for the rest of the season — finish strong.

That’s a good motto. More on Lahoud at Philly Soccer News.

Maurice Edu is the guest on the latest edition of the ExtraTime Radio podcast.

The Guardian and US National Soccer Players take different tacks to the question of whether a US Open Cup championship can slavage a poor season in league play.

More reports from Wednesday’s big win at The 700 Level, Philadelphia Magazine, SBI, Vavel, Sons of Penn, MLS Multiplex,   Delco Times has a photo collection from the win. At the Union YouTube channel, video of postgame reactions from the team.

More on Montreal targeting the game against the Union on Aug. 22 for Didier Drogba’s MLS debut.

Tranquillo Barnetta makes Goal.com’s list of big summer signings: “The former Schalke 04 and Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder still has the pace and skill to change a game.”

An unfortunate problem with numbers. Happily, it appears the Union and Angelo’s Soccer Corner are doing what they can to make things right for those who may have been effected.

Ray Gaddis, Nick Sakiewicz, and representatives from the Philadelphia Union Foundation were among the volunteers who gave Chester’s STEM Academy High School a fresh coat of paint on Thursday.

Sons of Ben

The “singular history” of the Sons of Ben is featured in the current issue of The FIFA Weekly, FIFA’s weekly magazine. Well done!

Local

Harrisburg City Islanders are off this weekend before traveling for Wednesday’s match in Toronto.

MLS

NYCFC defeated DC on Thursday night in at 3-1 comeback home win. The victory puts eighth place NYCFC four points ahead of ninth place Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference standings.

It’s official: Real Salt Lake have signed 29-year old former Argentine international Juan Manuel Martinez from Boca Juniors as a Designated Player using Targeted Allocation Money. Martinez shared the 2010 Argentine Player of the Year honors with some guy named Lionel Messi.

Kaka is among those who have been called up by Brazil to face the USMNT in the friendly on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at Gillette Stadium.

The Chicago Tribune uses the Fire’s loss to the Union in Wednesday’s US Open Cup semifinal  to add its voice to the chorus calling for new ownership of the club.

At Soccer America, Paul Kennedy says the strong attendance numbers throughout the summer in MLS and other competitions “puts into touch the folly of those like me who suggested MLS adopt soccer’s fall-spring calendar and effectively shut down for part of the summer.”

MPR has a useful recap of where things stand on Minnesota United’s efforts to build a soccer stadium in Minneapolis or St. Paul.

NWSL

Charles Boehm reports, “Multiple sources have confirmed to SoccerWire.com that NWSL and U.S. Soccer Federation leaders have decided to locate the 2015 championship final at Providence Park in soccer-crazed Portland, Oregon, despite the fact that this season’s competition format calls for the title bout to be hosted by the finalist with the most regular-season points.” Boehm notes a league spokesperson declined to comment.

US

The USWNT begins their World Cup Victory Tour on Sunday in Pittsburgh against Costa Rica (2 pm; Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports Go). It’s a homecoming for defender Meghan Klingenberg.

Elsewhere

Sepp Blatter has called on Western European leagues to follow Russia’s lead and restrict the number of foreign players that can be in a lineup. Nevermind that such a move would contravene European Union rules on the freedom of movement for workers.

The latest issue of The FIFA Weekly has a good read on pre-1863 forms of football that continue to be played at English private schools like Eton and Harrow.

Check out the latest Footy on the Telly for listings of live soccer on TV, online, and on satellite radio for the upcoming week.