We have a title fight on our hands this Saturday. Having recently dubbed themselves "The Worst Team in the World," Toronto FC will have to fight to retain their title against contenders Philadelphia Union. Two struggling, pathetic franchises will enter BMO Field at 4:30 PM. One team will exit with the "Worst Team in the World" belt shamefully raised over their head.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

In the latest edition of the Philly Soccer Show podcast, KYW's Greg Orlandini and PSP's Eli Pearlman-Storch are joined by Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Chase Harrison, who got his first-ever start last weekend in Dallas, helping the team to a 1-1 draw.

Harrison talks about the match, in which he took a physical beating but hung in as the Union walked away with a point.

Photo: Earl Gardner

Chase Harrison could have given up on pro soccer long ago.

It could have been after the 2006 season, when Real Salt Lake drafted him, loaned him out to a USL team that folded at season's end, and then waived him before he appeared in a single match. (The club drafted Chris Seitz a few months later.

Photo: Courtesy of Harrisburg City Islanders

US Open Cup

The Union will host Rochester Rhinos in the third round of the US Open Cup this Tuesday after the USL PRO team defeated NPSL side Brooklyn Italians 3–0 in second round play. The Rhino's are the only non-MLS team to win the Cup since the start of MLS in 1996, defeating Colorado Rapids 2–0 for the championship in 1999.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

The good news first.

The Union grabbed a road point in Frisco, Texas, their first in three trips to FC Dallas. And Chase Harrison not only survived his first MLS start, but fought through the barrage of George John and Andrew Jacobson shaped missiles hurled at him over the 90 minutes, making important saves and showing strength in the air.

Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union

Recaps from Saturday's draw in Dallas from PSP (we were there!), MLSsoccer.com, the Union website, The Inquirer, Philly Soccer News, Sports Network, Goal.com,

In this postgame quote sheet, Peter Nowak says,

• "We talked about how we are going to start the game and we wanted to continue to play how we did against New York, but they got the goal in the seventh minute which basically cuts you off immediately.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Despite racing out to a two goal lead, the Union reserves faded in the closing minutes, surrendering the lead and settling for a 2-2 tie at Widener's Quick Stadium.

Antoine Hoppenot led the line for the Union, opening the scoring in the 11th minute, having been set up by Josue Martinez.

The stumbling Philadelphia Union welcome a New York Red Bulls team riding a three-game winning streak this Sunday at PPL Park. With the Union playing ugly anti-football and the Red Bulls pressuring the Eastern Conference-leading Wizards in the standings, the Union have three ways to win this game: 1.

Photo & Video: Nicolae Stoian

Union v Schalke friendly

At Tuesday's press conference, Schalke manager Huub Stevens said, "We're here with a strong team, the strongest team we can have right now, guys like Raul, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Jermaine Jones. If they feel good enough they'll play.

As listless as the Union attack has been in their first three matches of the year, their youth served up four goals against the New England reserves Monday morning in the first match of the MLS Reserve season. The children of the Revolution managed to put two past a jury-rigged backline and backup keeper Chase Harrison.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

Danny Califf and Peter Nowak were at Wednesday's press conference to put the Califf Controversy to bed.

Said Califf, "We had a good talk yesterday. I think we resolved some issues, so I think things are going to be much better going forward.

Photo: Earl Gardner

Philadelphia Union

Peter Nowak says, "I think we have been working on some really good stuff in Florida. Now it's just a matter of improving. Now it's working on fitness, formations and getting guys ready for the season. Because of the Olympic qualifiers, it's kind of hard to determine what our set lineup with will be.

In case you haven't heard, Greg Jordan, Raymon Gaddis, Krystian Witkowski, Chase Harrison and Antione Hoppenot are all official. That's three mids, one defender and a goalie signing their lives away to the Blue and Gold. How does this affect the lineups? That depends on the current presumed starters.

Photo: Earl Gardner

The Philadelphia Union announced on Tuesday the signing of the remaining draft picks in camp—Greg Jordan, Raymon Gaddis, Krystian Witkowski and Antoine Hoppenot—and goalkeeper Chase Harrison.

Jordan and Gaddis were selected by the Union in January's SuperDraft, with Jordan being selected 32nd over all Gaddis 35th overall.

Photo: Earl Gardner

Given the erratic nature of the preseason, we have elected to invert our usual post-match format and lead with player ratings. Preseason games are opportunities for positional and tactical experimentation, and so individual player performances become the most important factor in the evaluation of the team as they build towards the regular season.

Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union

After last week's tumultuous events concerning the departures of Sebastien Le Toux and Faryd Mondragon from the Philadelphia Union, and the cancellation of the WPS season, this week's installment of the Philly Soccer Show podcast slows down the pace with a look at the Union as they begin training camp in Orlando.

Philadelphia Union

The Goalkeeper has a transcript of Wednesday's press conference with Peter Nowak. Among the highlights:

On Pajoy: "He's a guy who brings not only character but also a mentality to the game. He's very physical, and very fast as well. He can change the game, because he's a different option.

The Union confirmed on Wednesday through the team's Twitter account that Zac MacMath is joined in preseason training by Chase Harrison, who had temporarily joined the club late last season when Faryd Mondragon and Thorne Holder were both out with injuries before the club declined the option to sign him in November to make him available for the Re-Entry Draft.

Philadelphia Union

John Hackworth explains what the Union is looking for going into the 2012 season. "When you're retooling, you have to make sure you're managing the roster and the salary cap. We're not necessarily trying to get younger; we're trying to get better. And we're going to look at every avenue do that.

Philadelphia Union declined contract options for midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi and goalkeeper Chase Harrison, leaving each out of contract and available for election in Major League Soccer's Re-Entry Draft.

Miglioranzi, 34, is one of two remaining Union originals selected in the Expansion Draft in November 2009, along with Sebastien Le Toux.

The Philadelphia Union picked up midfielder Nizar Khalfan in the MLS Waiver Draft after Vancouver Whitecaps FC waived him earlier today.

The Union have waived goalkeeper Thorne Holder and defender Juan Diego Gonzalez.

A native of Tanzania, Khalfan played in 22 Major League Soccer regular season matches with Vancouver, scoring one goal and four assists.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Union

Zac MacMath is listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain in Tuesday's injury report (see below). Faryd Mondragon and Thorne Holder are still listed as out.

Sebastien Le Toux was named MLS Player of the Month by North American Soccer Reporters.

The Philadelphia Union announced on Friday afternoon the signing of goalkeeper Kerry "Chase" Harrison. Harrison joins the Union from the Harrisburg City Islanders.

The signing comes after news of the concussion suffered by Union back-up goalkeeper Thorne Holder during a reserve league match against Columbus Crew on Sunday.

Union

The Union reserves lost 2-1 to Columbus yesterday. Jack McInerney scored in the 14th minute for the U.

PennLive has videos and info on Harrisburg goalie Chase Harrison, who will be training with the Union today. Harrison also runs AskTheGoalkeeper.com.

The Shin Guardian offers up a wonderful breakdown of the current MLS playoff picture.