SoccerBlogs

PSP photographer Daniel Gajdamowicz's look at Wednesday night's loss to Columbus Crew

Sakiewicz says Hackworth deserves to be the club's permanent Team Manager and that "John has a plan."

PSP's preview of the Philly Soccer Six continues.

The Union are 3-0-2 against New England all time. We've got all of the match stats, highlights from our match reports and analysis, video highlights, and more.

Hackworth says playoff hunt is over. McInerney says he's not "that target striker." Valdes injury to be evaluated. Donovan, Dempsey, and Bradley could all be unavailable for WC qualifiers against Jamaica. Champions League draw this morning. More news.

If you have some downtime over the holiday weekend, you may enjoy these two reads about soccer.

The Union squandered the best chances Wednesday night, setting the stage for a dramatic winner for the Crew, late in stoppage time.

The Crew bring a big offense to PPL Park to take on the goal-shy Union. It's a big test of a young team's mettle. Will they answer the bell?

One year after joining the Union, Freddy Adu looks like a disappointment as a designated player. But is it too early to give up on him? PSP makes the case for why Adu was a good signing, why he's fallen short of expectations, and why Michael Farfan, John Hackworth and Adu himself are the keys to Adu's future with Philadelphia.

Hackworth says tonight's game against the Crew is huge, believes Jack McInerney is the key to the Union getting goals on the scoreboard. Previews and power rankings. More on Freddy. With Perlaza gone, Nowak's Mwanga deal means Union got nothing. River Cup raised $30k. More news.

The Union and Jorge Perlaza have agreed to part ways.

Industrious, strong defensively, aggressive, energetic. Gaddis was all these things. But more importantly: He was fearless.

PSP photographer Earl Gardner's look at the second annual River Cup.

The Union are 2-3-0 against Columbus all time. We've got all of the match stats, highlights from our match reports and analysis, video highlights, and more.

Tony Donatelli's gamewinner knocked Harrisburg City Islanders out of the USL PRO playoffs.

Carli Lloyd will be signing autographs ahead of Wednesday's Union game against Columbus. Gaddis wins PST Team of the Week honors. Adu on not starting against RSL: "It is what it is." Power rankings. FIFA ethics investigator to look into awarding of 2018 and 2022 WC hosting. More.

The Union needed all three points on Friday night. A conservative approach and sloppy execution kept them from achieving their goal.

The Union staff took down the Sons of Ben in the second annual River Cup. But the night was a win for all those involved as everyone came together to raise money for the Philadelphia Union Foundation.

The Saint Joseph's, Villanova, La Salle and Drexel men's teams opened regular season play over the weekend.

Hackworth "frustrated" by draw with Real Slat Lake, says Union not getting the respect they deserve. Union files motion to have Nowak lawsuit dismissed. City Islanders out of USL PRO playoffs. More news

PSP's series looking at the Philly Soccer Six continues with a preview of St. Joseph's, who are looking to improve on a tough 2011 season.

PSP photographer Michael Long's look at Friday night's scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake.

Games. Lots and lots of games. The week's live soccer listings for your TV and computer.

Hackworth says Union need maximum home points if they are to keep playoff hopes alive. RSL preview roundup. Freddy's consistency problem. Soumare believes in team's potential. Gabriel says Union will need to spend in the offseason. Harrisburg in USL PRO playoffs on Saturday.

Our preview of the Philly Soccer Six continues with a look at Villanova.

Though both teams are winless in August, the Union need three points much more than Real Salt Lake. John Hackworth came out and said what everybody already knew: This game is a must-win.

The Union played Real Salt Lake to a 0-0 draw on Friday night in a cagey match that failed to deliver offensive excitement on either end.

The Union are 0-2-2 against Real Salt Lake all time. We've got all of the match stats, highlights from our match reports and analysis, video highlights, and more.

beIN Sport and Comcast announce an agreement that will give subscribers access to the new sports network on TV, On Demand, Online and on Mobile Devices.

Following Sunday's refereeing debacle in DC, Nate Emeritz considers what might be done to improve officiating and suggests US soccer should invest in a prominent model of mature (not perfect) refereeing.

Hackworth says Friday's match against RSL is a must-win. Plus, what Freddy Adu must understand & more from Hackworth's presser. Anderson Monarchs film getting rave reviews. Hope Solo book highest ever debut for soccer book on NYT bestseller list. BeIN Sports buys rights to show USMNT World Cup away qualifiers.

A professional at age 14, Freddy Adu has always been told he's special. And when he has the ball he wants to do special things. However, the age of the lone dribbler is over. Can Adu adjust to the modern game, or has it already passed him by?

Forget Red Bulls. Montreal and DC are the rivalries upon which traditions are built.

Carlos Valdes named to MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week. River Cup draws near. La Salle No. 1 on NSCAA Mid-Atlantic women's soccer poll, U Penn at No. 10. More news.

Danny Cruz is the guest on this week's Philly Soccer Show podcast, co-hosted by KYW's Greg Orlandini and PSP's Eli Pearlman-Storch. Also on the pod, that crazy game in DC and a look ahead to Friday's visit from Real Salt Lake.

The Geiger Show and Andy Najar took center stage, while Marfan, Mac and Hop went silent. PSP has postgame analysis and player ratings of Sunday's 1-1 tie between the Union and DC United.

Local players are on five of the six teams in the USL PRO playoffs.

Talk about Sunday's refereeing disaster continues across the league. Hackworth says DC game had plenty of "teachable moments." Valdes named to PST Team of the Week. MLS ranked 8th in the world for pro soccer attendance. Mexico v USA top primetime broadcast. More news.

PSP photographer Barb Colligon was with the Sons of Ben for the Union game in DC.

The Union earned a stunning 1-1 draw on the road Sunday against DC United, as referee Mark Geiger sent off three players and disallowed two United goals, including one by Dwayne De Rosario. PSP was at RFK Stadium and has a recap, with quotes from both teams.

DC blasts ref in draw with Union. More reaction and quotes from the game. Harrisburg City Islanders secure final playoff spot. Penn State's Maya Hayes scores hat trick in US win at U-20 Women's World Cup. More news.

DC's offense has struggled lately, but the Union have struggled all over. In June, Philly was the better team but United left PPL Park with a win. Will fortunes be reversed on Sunday?

PSP recaps some of the major talking points from Thursday night's Supporters Summit at PPL Park.

KYW's Greg Orlandini and PSP's Eli Pearlman-Storch are joined by UNion center back Bakary Soumare. Also discussed is the USMNT win over Mexico and the trade of Lionard Pajoy for Danny Cruz.

Veteran head coach Pat Farrell is celebrating his 26th season directing La Salle's men's soccer program.

The Union have been slipping following their first bounce under John Hackworth. James Scharnitz wonders what happened to the summer hot streak.

How real are the I-95 rivalries? A look at Sunday's Union against DC United from a red and black perspective.

Roundup of reports and reaction to the Pajoy for Cruz trade. Hackworth says Cruz is long-term asset. Union still thinking playoffs. River Cup confirmed for Aug. 26. You're not the only ticked off you can't watch beIN Sports.

Veteran head coach Pat Farrell is celebrating his 26th season directing La Salle's men's soccer program.

The week's live soccer listings for your TV and computer, including the Union, Harrisburg, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, and the return of Premiership and La Liga play.

Danny Cruz rejoins former USMNT U-17 teammates Sheanon Williams, Zac MacMath and Amobi Okugo after being traded for Lionard Pajoy and an international roster spot.

After a rough two-game stretch, Union fan Chris Gibbons looks back on happier times: His trip to Montreal to see the Union play. Forget soccer. Let there be glorious Montreal.

The Union are 2-2-1 against DC United all time. We've got all of the match stats, highlights from our match reports and analysis, video highlights, and more.

It may have just been a friendly, and not count toward anything but regional bragging rights, but the USMNT made history on Wednesday night.

2012-13 will be a time of transition for the Owls as they complete a final season in the Atlantic 10 before moving on to the Big East conference.

Recaps, quotes, ratings and more as former Union defender scores in historic USA win over Mexico at the Azteca. Hackworth on recent Union stumbles, Soumare and more. More news.

Glenside native and former Temple Owl Tony Donatelli scored two goals and an assist in a playoff-clinching win for USL PRO side Charleston Battery.

While Mexico has called up a nearly full-strength roster, the US roster 10 MLS-based players and many notable absences. It could be a long night for the US.

After ten games, the Union's record under John Hackworth stands at .500. PSP looks at some of the numbers.

What's happened to Roger Torres? Hoppenot is "The Jet." Carli Lloyd back home. Soccer stadium fever in NY. Klinsmann says USMNT is in Mexico to win. Howard says what gap? More news.

The Union were sloppy and unnecessarily passive in falling 3-1 to the visiting Fire.

THe USMNT plays Mexico at the Azteca. PSP takes a look back at a rivalry that stretches back to 1934

Should MacMath be sat? Locals make Herman Trophy Watch List. More on proposed Philadelphia Sports Zone/Celtic partnership. More news.

PSP photographer Paul Rudderow's look at the Union's disappointing loss to Chicago.

The Union lost their focus, and the match, in a 13 minute period on Sunday night, falling at home to Chicago Fire 3-1.

Hackworth says loss is his responsibility. Team believes they are still in the play-off hunt. What's next for women's soccer in the US? US roster announced for Mexico friendly. More news.

PSP photographer Paul Rudderow was on hand for Saturday's final game of the World Football Challenge 2012 as Real Madrid CF took on Celtic FC. On a sweltering afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field both teams played hard but Madrid came out with the 2-0 victory.

After a great tournament, Mexico is the worthy gold medalist.

Real Madrid took down Celtic 2-0 in the final match of World Football Challenge on a steamy afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. We've got a full match report.

Bakary Soumare was the Union's big signing of the transfer window. The Malian promises to bring size and skill to an already strong back line. But while Soumare was recovering from a knee injury, Amobi Okugo (or the guy Peter Nowak may or may not call, "That fella I ignored when I got bored of [...]

The Fire have been bad on the road, the Union have been good at home. Can the PPL Park crowd lift their team to another home win?

In the latest edition of the pod, KYW's Geg Orlandini and PSP's Eli Pearlman-Storch are joined by Philadelphi Union midfielder/defender Amobi Okugo and Union beat writer Dave Zeiltlin.

Reports and reaction to USWNT winning Olympic gold. Union U-17s win Generation adidas Cup. RIvas gets extra two game ban for Hoppenot headbutt. Independence owner says team has no plans at present to join new women's league.

Delran, New Jersey's own Carli Lloyd scored two fantastic goals and the defense bent but didn't break as the Americans won a third consecutive gold medal with a 2-1 victory over Japan.

The week's live soccer listings for your TV and computer.

Match stats, highlights from our match reports and analysis, video highlights, and more.

The United-Union-Red Bulls rivalry has become an intense laboratory for a common dilemma in US soccer tactics: how to control a game without a traditional central midfielder.

The USWNT faces Japan today for Olympic gold. Canada wins bronze with stoppage time goal. Kansas City wins US Open Cup final. Hoppenot says he's good to go on Sunday despite broken nose. Hackworth says Hoffman and Martinez are options for suspended McInerney. New US women's pro league announced. More news

Following the Nelson Rivas headbutt to Antoine Hoppenot, PSP looks at the Disciplinary Committee's guidelines and past decisions to understand how much additional suspension might be expected and when a decision could be announced. Also, why the club may have decided not to appeal Jack McInerney's red card.

Japan and South Korea both looked strong early on but both were soon worn down by Mexico and Brazil, setting up the gold medal match many had predicted at the start of the men's Olympic tournament.

Bryn Mawr's (and the Union's) Jimmy McLaughlin scores for Harrisburg, Reading's (and New York's) Corey Hertzog scores for Wilmington, and Lancaster's (and Montreal's) Andrew Wenger scores on the Union.

FIFA to investigate post game comments and footage emerges of a Canada player stomping on the head of a US player as the fallout from Olympic semifinal continues. US Open Cup final tonight. Union U-17s in Generation adidas Cup final on Thursday. Bolt wants to be a Red Devil. More news.

PSP photographer Michael Long was in Montreal as the Union fell 2-0 to the Impact. Here's a look at what he saw.

Smart defense by Montreal and slow build-up play by the Union meant a single set piece breakdown was enough to seal Philadelphia's fate on Saturday.

A stoppage time goal from Alex Morgan after the second period of extra time puts the US into the gold medal match after an epic battle with Canada that was not without controversy.

The US says "We won." Canada says, "We were robbed." Recaps and reaction to USWNT amazing come-from-behind win against Canada in the Olympic semifinals. Power rankings and Generation adidas Cup. More news.

On his 21st birthday, Zac MacMath has to learn that sometimes maturity means knowing when to ignore that carefully cultivated self-control.

Recaps and reaction to Union's loss in Montreal. On the headbutt. Soumare goes full 90 in reserve team defeat. Canada coach says USWNT uses "highly illegal" tactics ahead of today's Olympic quarterfinal. Young Crew midfielder dies. More news.

After a rather staid third matchday to finish the group stages, the quarterfinal round of the men's Olympic tournament had a surplus of excitement.

The Union's playoff push took a huge stumble as they were downed 2-0 in Montreal on Saturday night. We've got a full match report.

Sydney LeRoux scored late to put the match away as the US defeated New Zealand 2-0 to advance to the Olympic semifinals.

The Union under John Hackworth have put themselves back into the playoff hunt. Looking at possession, passing, shots, goals, as well as lineup selection consistency, PSP explores how the team has improved under Hackworth since the firing of Peter Nowak.

The week's upcoming live soccer listings for your TV and computer, including Philadelphia Union, USWNT at the Olympics, summer friendlies, and more.

The Union ready to battle Montreal. USWNT take on Kiwis in Olympic quarterfinals. SAF says he won't make money from Man U stock flotation. More news.

Montreal hopes their new back line won't fold late at home against the Union.

Valdes, Gomez, and Daniel receive national team call-ups. Soumare available for selection against Montreal, will Hoppenot start? How much Perlaza and Soumare are paid. Anatomy of a goal. Reading and Ocean City players up for season best awards. GolTV to broadcast US Open Cup final. More news.

The final group games in the men's tournament at the Olympics were mostly anticlimactic. PSP recaps the results and looks ahead to Saturday's quarterfinal match ups.

Comfortably atop their group with three wins, the American women are preparing to face New Zealand in the quarterfinals. PSP reviews the USWNT efforts so far and previews the quarterfinals match ups.

With Scottish players making moves to MLS, and Celtic soon to be playing Real Madrid at the Linc, PSP looks at Philadelphia's history of players from the land of heather.

You grow up watching soup operas and you learn certain rules. Seth Finck explores how such rules might apply to being a Union fan.

Union forward Jack McInerney joins KYW's Greg Orlandini and special co-host Kerith Gabriel of the Daily News and 610 WIP's 90th Minute radio show in the latest edition of the podcast. McInerney talks about his struggles for playing time under former Union coach Peter Nowak and his blossoming under interim coach John Hackworth.

With just one Western Conference opponent left on the schedule, the Union face a second half of the season of six-pointers. Valdes, Williams named to Best XIs. USWNT knock off North Korea to advance to Olympic quarterfinals. Reading United's Deshorn Brown named to PDL All-Conference team. More news.

FC Delco product Ben Olsen never fulfilled the lofty expectations some had for the former NCAA player of the year and MLS rookie of the year. But now he has another chance, as a coach. Can the Pennsylvania native reclaim a role as a face of U.S. soccer? A new PSP contributor -- and longtime D.C. United fan -- takes a look.