The Philadelphia Union's need for a goal-scoring forward has led them to a familiar face in MLS circles, an enigmatic but dangerous striker who could provide the spark up top the Union desperately needs in year one.

The Union has filed a discovery claim on former MLS MVP Carlos Ruiz and is trying to sign the striker before the close of the April 15 transfer window, Sources within MLS told SBI on Thursday.

Carlos Ruiz could be the spark the Union need in Philadelphia. (Getty Images)

Just when we thought both Luciano Emilio and Carlos Ruiz were done with Major League Soccer, one club is hoping to get one or even both of them back before next week's MLS transfer window deadline.

The Philadelphia Union have been working long and hard to sign former D.

Our series on the US at the World Cup continues with the second part of our look at the 1998 World Cup. You can read more about US World Cup appearances in 1930 (part 1), 1930 (part 2), 1934, 1950, the 1950-1990 drought, 1990, 1994, 1998 (part 1) and 1998 (part 2)

Putting 1998 in the past

The US had been humiliated at the 1998 World Cup, its poor performance on the field—one goal scored in three losses— mirrored by acrimony and dissent off the field.

From Major League Soccer Soccer dot com:

"Greek club Aris FC say they have ended their transfer pursuit of Fulham striker Eddie Johnson after signing his former FC Dallas running mate Carlos Ruiz on Monday.

The club had been trying to land the 26-year-old US international on a permanent switch since his loan deal with the Greek club expired last month, but the Cottagers' price tag forced them to shop for a cheaper option.

STARTERS
So is Freddy Adu really headed to Aris Thessaloniki in Greece, the same team as Eddie Johnson? How weird is that? See Americans In Europe section for more details.
dN
Landon Donovan talks to the Everton website about his arrival in England.

Union/MLS/Local

Goal.com has a head to head preview of Saturday's Union's match against Houston. Their prediction: the Union gets loss number six. My prediction: Flyers win. You can read the PSP preview here.

The Daily News looks at rumors that the Union is pursuing Fabio Cannavaro. Sources at the Union also tell the paper that signing MLS journeyman Carlos Ruiz is "in the works.

Union/MLS/Local

Goal.com has a head to head preview of Saturday's Union's match against Houston. Their prediction: the Union gets loss number six. My prediction: Flyers win. You can read the PSP preview here.

The Daily News looks at rumors that the Union is pursuing Fabio Cannavaro. Sources at the Union also tell the paper that signing MLS journeyman Carlos Ruiz is "in the works.

Kansas City Wizards midfielder/forward Herculez Gomez has revealed that he will not be returning to Major League Soccer next season. Instead, he will become the next American-born player to ply his trade abroad after signing a contract to play for Puebla FC of the Mexican first division.
"I couldn't be happier," Gomez told MLS Daily of his move to Puebla.

A couple photos of creatively dressed fans from the first matchday of InterLiga 2010 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX. Puebla FC defeated Tigres 4-1 behind a brace from former FC Dallas' star Carlos Ruiz. In the second match, Monterrey drew Jaguares 0-0.

Good luck to you, Herc.
As Mike over at Down the Byline has uncorked, Herculez Gomez has left MLS and the Wizards to join Puebla FC of the Mexican first division. Puebla is currently taking part in InterLiga 2010, winning their first match Sunday against Tigres 4-1. Another former MLSer, Carlos Ruiz, scored two goals in the game.

So stupid. Stupid weather. Stupid cold. And stupid me, still here.
I have to admit I haven't paid much attention to anything going on around me. Everyone who thought it was great to make the playoffs, wouldn't it have been nice to have a high draft pick? Something where we maybe could have picked up Teal Bunbury or another impact player?

Photo by ISIphotos.com
Another U.S. national team midfielder is heading to Europe.

Ricardo Clark has finalized his move to German side Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday, agreeing to a deal with the Bundesliga squad for the remainder of the season, with an option to extend the deal through the 2013 season.

American international Ricardo Anthony Clark has joined Eintracht on loan until the end of the season. The 26 year old defensive midfielder is the first US player ever to join the team. He played for Houston Dynamo in the MLS in 2009 and scored seven goals in 97 games.

Clark was signed to replace the injured defensive midfielder Zlatan Bajramovic, who suffered under a heel injury and will be out for several weeks.

REMINDER: BRUCE IN ENGLAND
Any chance that anyone out there reading this will be at the Southampton v Walsall game on Sat Feb 27? I will be, and would love to meet any readers also in attendance! Just drop me an email.
I will also be spending the majority of next week in London on business.

STARTERS
It will be announced on Tuesday that MLS Cup 2010 will be hosted by Toronto.
dN
It was like an old LA Galaxy match for Puebla in Mexico as Carlos Ruiz and Herculez Gomez scored the goals to beat Club America 2-1!!
-And Herculez now has an astonishing 7 goals in 8 games for Puebla!

Edson Buddle 1 Real Salt Lake 0

It took Edson Buddle just 12 minutes to head home a Landon Donovan corner kick from seven yards to become the first Galaxy player since Carlos Ruiz to score the first six goals of the season for the club, a feat the Guatemala striker accomplished in 2002.

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Edson Buddle was named MLS Player of the Week on Monday following a two-goal performance in the Galaxy's 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake this past Saturday. It is the 8th time that the North American Soccer Reporters have bestowed the honor on Buddle, and first since Week 12 of the 2008 season.

Queen Victoria: Supported Palace
Yes, it's holiday Monday up here in the Great White North. The first long weekend of the summer - the May Two Four or officially... Victoria Day! For our foreign readers it's the day Canadians celebrate the lady who was instrumental in the foundation of this nation of ours.

Once again Wondo provided fireworks for the Quakes. He scored his second hat trick of the season against Chivas USA Wednesday night at Buck Shaw Stadium. Here are some of his accolades this season:

Wondo has now scored 17 of the Quakes' 33 total goals this season.
Wondo also has half of the hat tricks for the Quakes in their history, 2 out of 4.

New England Revolution striker Taylor Twellman will announce Wednesday that he is ending his quest to return from concussion-related issues, reports Steven Goff of the Washington Post.

He has scheduled a news conference at Gillette Stadium to discuss his future. The decision to end his playing career was first reported on Goff's Twitter page this morning.

By 2005 the playoffs had changed format. The first round was now just a 2 game series, with no away goals rule. the Rapids finished 3rd in the West, 3 points behind FC Dallas which set up another first round matchup between the teams.
The first game was at Invesco Field in Denver. Both teams came out looking for an advantage but all they found were yellow cards as the game ended scoreless, setting up a 1 game series at the brand-new Pizza Hut Park in Dallas.

Finally we come to our last matchup with Dallas in 2006, also the last time we made the playoffs prior to this year. The Rapids finished 4th in the West, 11 points behind the leading Dallas team and were once again facing them int eh first round. The format was the same as 2005, a two game series with the second leg being at the home of the higher seed.

Currently there are only four teams in the MLS that do not have a league title: New England, New York, Dallas, and Colorado. So after today there will only be three teams left that is until the Whitecaps join the league next season and keep the number at four title-less teams.

But before the match is played let's briefly take a look at each team's coach, stars, and recent form:

DALLAS

The Coach:

Dallas is coached by former collegiate SMU man Schellas Hyndman.

Union

Diego Gutierrez has joined the Union's technical staff as the Head of Scouting and Player Development. "Knowing the foundation already laid, the fans, the philosophy of the club and the vision for the future, it's a true delight for me to become part of the Union's technical staff," Gutierrez said in a Union press release.