Philadelphia Union
After what appeared to be a promising opening twenty minutes, the Union capitulated to Orlando. Post-game coverage here.
Silly season is over, but transfer rumors still abound. Allegedly the Union are in the running for winger Hatem Ben Arfa of PSG, who would likely push Fafà Picault to a depth position and Fabian Herbers down to Bethlehem Steel.
There’s also talk of Werder Bremen’s Zlatko Junuzović joining the Union. His contract in Bremen runs until this summer, and as an Attacking Midfielder he could eliminate the question marks hanging over Bořek Dočkal’s loan with no option to buy.
Local
Steel drew against MLS hopefuls FC Cincinnati.
Lehigh Valley people should be relieved to know that there will still be World Cup viewing parties at Steel Stacks. Expect turnout to be lower than last time thanks to the US not being involved, but that just means it’ll be easier to find a seat.
This Wednesday Penn FC is throwing a “Hype Party” before their home opener at Level 2 in Harrisburg. Admission is $5 (or $10 if you want to go to the game as well) and players will be on hand to meet fans.
Junior Lone Star is off to a good start to the season with a win over Upper Darby FC and a draw against the Union U17s.
MLS
Washington DC, Columbus, and Kansas City all ranked among the top markets for last Saturday’s Manchester Derby, the most-watched Premier League game in US television history. But Anthony Precourt says there’s no interest in Columbus. #SaveTheCrew.
“MLS needs to play on the FIFA-sanctioned autumn to spring schedule“.
Zlatan will be on Jimmy Kimmel.
Good news for fans of MLS Live’s “condensed match” feature.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee added an additional game to Clint Dempsey’s red card suspension for sack tapping, causing him to miss Seattle’s game vs. Sporting KC. He was also fined an undisclosed amount for “visual dissent”.
NWSL
19,203 fans were in attendance to watch the Utah Royals’ inaugural home opener in Rio Tinto Stadium.
The North Carolina Courage will be among the four teams playing in this summer’s first-ever Women’s International Championship tournament.
As more MLS clubs field women’s teams, independent owners are beginning to wonder about their place in the future of the league.
North Carolina could be forced to forfeit the game they won against Sky Blue FC, since they refused to release Brazilian forward Debinha for international duty during a FIFA window.
US Soccer
CONMEBOL has endorsed CONCACAF’s joint 2026 World Cup bid. This would seem to make the United States, Mexico, and Canada a shoe in for winning the bid, but this is FIFA so nothing is certain yet. Google Translate.
The Men’s National Team is finalizing arrangements for a friendly vs. England this fall. Paired with the already-scheduled friendly vs. Italy in November, it should make for an interesting start down the road to the 2022 World Cup.
Yedlin got an assist in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Arsenal.
World
AS Monaco is refunding ticket sales after an embarrassing 7-1 loss to PSG.
The surprising thing in this link is that CNBC is covering soccer.
Meanwhile, in the Russian third division.
Ben Arfa would be the best player this team ever brought in.
Does he have anything left in the tank? Or is he just looking for a retirement fund? It would be very Union-like to bring him in at a high salary and have him do nothing.
Hey! Another right winger! Just what we need!!!!