Photo: Courtesy of Montreal Impact

Philadelphia Union

Power rankings! At ESPN, the Union move up two spots to No. 3: “Two draws on the week for the Union is a good return considering the competition and the road trip to Montreal. Philadelphia is third in the East but their points-per-game is the best in the conference.” At SI, the Union move up three spots to No. 6: “The Union earned two draws, but they’re two mighty impressive ones…This team has a clear identity now, a refreshing sight after years of underachievement.” At Soccer America, the Union remains at No. 6: “The Union has tied its last three games and in a 2-2 deadlock with the Galaxy squandered a one-goal lead for second straight time at home…though the Union has posted just two shutouts, its goals-allowed average of 1.1 per game is among the league’s best.”

Keegan Rosenberry makes the bench in MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week. What, two strong performances in the span of three days isn’t good enough? More on Rosenberry making the bench at the Union website.

Rosenberry is SBI’s Rookie of the Week.

The Rosenberry for Rookie of the Year train gathers steam at ASN.

At Union Tally, Matthew De George lists four areas the Union have shown improvement in compared to recent past seasons.

The list of Rivalry Week games at MLSsoccer.com says of Friday’s home game that the rivavilry between the Union and DC United is “not nearly as antagonistic as either team’s relationship with the New York Red Bulls up the road…At the end of the day, both the Union and United are gunning for playoffs spots in a crowded, balanced Eastern Conference and every point counts, so nothing will be held back when they kick off along the shores of the Delaware River on Friday.”

Noting games between the Union and DC are typically exciting and dramatic, Dave Zeitlin writes in the latest Inside Doop, “Rarely, though, have the teams been good the same season. It will be important, then, for the Union to show their fiercest rivals that they’re poised to make the playoffs this season — and build a bigger lead in the standings over a D.C. team that figures to be in the postseason hunt too.”

Brotherly Game has an appreciation of the Union’s defensive core.

With the news that Jozy Altidore is out 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury (that occurred while taking a penalty kick that was saved), it will be interesting to see the criticism of Jurgen Klinsmann for not including CJ Sapong on the USMNT’s preliminary roster for the Copa America. The preliminary roster announcement noted, “Tournament rules require the final 23-player roster to be turned in no later than May 20 to the Local Organizing Committee. All the players on the final list must come from the preliminary roster.”

Appearing on on ExtraTime Radio on Monday, Taylor Twellman says his halftime comments during the broadcast of the Kansas City-Orlando game that players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic cannot be “discovered” was “more of a tongue and cheek comment.” He went on to explain the Union are unlikely to receive compensation for having him on their discovery list if he signs with another MLS team because they are unlikely to be able to make a realistic offer to him and so would lose any discovery priority. Kevin Kinkead tweeted a transcript of Twellman’s comments if you’re interested in his full explanation.

The 18 and Fansided add to the list of reports on the Union placing Zlatan Ibrahimovic on their discovery list.

Writing at Philly Voice following the Sixers’ announcement of “the first jersey patch sponsorship among major sports leagues in American history,” Kevin Kinkead parses the the meaning of a “major” sport.

Bethlehem Steel FC

Brotherly Game notes a report (crappy Google translation here) that Eric Ayuk has been called up by Cameroon for U-20 Africa Cup of Nations second qualifiers. Cameroon travels to face Zimbabwe on May 22 with the return leg on June 10. If the team advances past Zimbabwe, third round games are scheduled for July 8 and July 22.

Unauthorized Bethlehem Steel FC Blog considers what Ayuk’s possibly extended absence might mean for the the team.

Bethlehem makes the “Best of the Rest” in the latest power rankings at USLsoccer.com.

At the USL website, a review of talking points from last week’s games notes, “If not for Bethlehem Steel FC’s dramatic late rally against FC Montreal on Sunday afternoon, the split between the group that look solid playoff contenders and those on the outside looking in in the Eastern Conference would look even more stark. Even so, the top seven in the East hold at least a five-point cushion on the teams tied for ninth as of now, which will leave teams like Wilmington and Toronto feeling they need to get on a good run of results sooner rather than later.” Bethlehem is currently in 8th place in the Eastern Conference.

Brotherly Game recaps Sunday’s come-from-behind win over FC Montreal.

Philadelphia Union Academy

Soccer Wire notes, “While there aren’t standings for the U-13/14 level, Philadelphia Union has been one of the best teams in the East Conference for much of the season.”

At the Union website, a roundup of Academy news.

Local

The friendly on Sunday, May 22 between Philadelphia Fury and La Liga side Eibar will be streamed on YouTube as part of a new deal between the online streaming service and Spain’s top flight.

At the Ocean City Nor’easters website, a recap of the inaugural Blue and Orange intrasquad game.

Pulisic!

Sophia Gulati (NJ Stallions; Washington Township, N.J.) and Shea Moyer (FC Revolution; Wyomissing, Pa.) have been called up for the US U-18 WNT camp in Carson, May 21-28.

MLS

Portland has signed former Union man Amobi Okugo. Amobi and Jack can be roomies again!

Dallas has signed 23-year-old Argentine defender Agustin Jara.

Vice Sports says the Kei Kamara trade shows MLS still sees players as “expendable commodities.”

Fox Soccer has a Top Five MLS Rivalries ranking.

The New York Times on Orlando City using the possibility of securing a US visa to attract foreign investors to pay for the construction of its new stadium. $500,000 gets foreign investors two season tickets and a green card. Soccer America summarizes, “So far, the project has attracted 30 investors for a commitment of $15 million The goal: 150 investors, or $75 million. Investors must be screened and prove their visa will create at least 10 jobs.”

The Oklahoman on efforts to bring a MLS franchise to Oklahoma City.

US

Downingtown’s Zack Steffen has been named to the 22-player roster for the “transition camp” that will convene in Miami before next week’s friendly against Puerto Rico. The announcement notes,

In the group made up exclusively of U.S. players based in Europe and Mexico who have just completed their club seasons, a total of 15 players traveling to camp in Miami are in contention for the 23-man squad that will compete in the 2016 Copa America Centenario, having been included in the binding 40-man preliminary list submitted on April 29 to tournament organizers. The final roster for Copa America must be turned in no later than May 20. MLS-based players selected to compete in the tournament will be released by their clubs on May 23 and join the team that day in Dallas.

Because he was not included on the 40-player preliminary roster, Steffen is among the seven players who are not eligible for selection for the Copa AMerica.

John Hackworth’s U-17 MNT drew 1-1 with Tanzania in its first game at the AIFF Youth Cup in Goa, India on Monday. Next up is India on May 19.

Elsewhere

The Guardian reports, “The managing director of a security company that left behind a dummy bomb responsible for a terror alert at Old Trafford on Sunday has taken “full responsibility” for not removing the item following a training exercise.” The game has been rescheduled for today at 3 pm ET (NBCSN):

Spokesmen for the Bournemouth and Manchester United fans’ associations also called for the club to offer proper compensation to people who had travelled to Old Trafford for the game.

Manchester United has announced that all tickets to Sunday’s game will be refunded and entry to the rescheduled match on Tuesday will be free. Bournemouth will offer supporters free coach travel for the 500-mile round trip to Old Trafford from the club’s Vitality stadium.

The Press Association reports, “Two-time FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin al Hussein has accused Gianni Infantino of a “complete betrayal” of world football’s member associations for giving the FIFA Council power over key committees.”