The Union reserve team opened up their season yesterday morning against the New England Revolution's reserve squad with a 4-2 victory. With the sun beating down on the Chester Field pitch and the wind gusting, the Union reserves played a strong 90 minutes. Due to the Union's bye week, some players who may not have normally played with the reserve team, like Josue Martinez and Roger Torres, got a chance to get some good minutes in during the match.

Though the Rapids found themselves swimming against the current, they prevailed and dealt the Union their first ever home opener loss. For the Union faithful, the only thing more depressing than two hard losses in an as many games is the fact that this one didn't look like a loss anywhere but on the scoreboard.

Photo: Nizar Khalfan

Philadelphia Union waived midfielder Nizar Khalfan just days after he sat out the club's preseason friendly in Orlando.

Khalfan, 23, joined the Union via the MLS waiver draft in November after Vancouver let him go following a 2011 season in which he recorded one goal and four assists in 22 games.

Philadelphia Union fans traveled to Orlando last weekend to see the team play Orlando City SC and to participate in the club's first preseason Fan Weekend. In addition to the game, the weekend's events included meet & greet sessions with the players, a chalk talk and open practice, all capped off by a barbecue attended by the fans and players.

Union

The Philadelphia Union are only making a brief stop in town before heading off to San Jose, Costa Rica for three games in five days. On February 26, Philly throws down with Costa Rican league leaders Municipal Perez Zeledon. 22 goals in nine games will make for a nice test for the Union back line.

The Philadelphia Union will sign their third ever home grown player, and second in the past three months, by the end of the week, a source close to the situation told the Brotherly Game.

Christian Hernandez is one of the few non-contract players still with the Union in Florida, but he's set to end that distinction over the new couple of days.

Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union

A few minutes before the Union was to play University of Central Florida in a scrimmage on Wednesday, a message appeared on the club's Twitter account indicating that goal updates would be tweeted. A few minutes after that, the tweet was removed.

Zach Pfeffer is no longer all alone as the only Philadelphia Union Home Grown Player. The 16-year-old midfielder now has fellow former academy star Jimmy McLaughlin as a teammate on the Union's first team roster.

McLaughlin started all 22 games possible at Colgate in 2011, including the University's 4-1 loss to Rutgers in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Philadelphia Union

Here's the skinny on new signing Josue Martinez from Kenneth Hernandez, soccer writer for Costa Rican daily Al Dia:

• "Martínez is a player for the future. He's still young and he has a lot to give. But he's just 21 and he needs to establish himself as a forward who responds with goals.

Philadelphia Union

Here's the skinny on new signing Josue Martinez from Kenneth Hernandez, soccer writer for Costa Rican daily Al Dia:

• "Martínez is a player for the future. He's still young and he has a lot to give. But he's just 21 and he needs to establish himself as a forward who responds with goals.

Christian Hernandez's summer proclamation to ESPN Rise that he would be going pro appears to be on its way to becoming true, if clues to the identity of a major New Jersey soccer agency's newest client point in the right direction. Hernandez could become the Philadelphia Union's second ever Home Grown Player signing, and third acquisition of the 2011-12 MLS Offseason.

Photo: Courtesy US Soccer

Philly Soccer Page

Today marks the return of one series and the start of another. First, fresh on the heels of our series of raves, we begin our series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player who saw more than ten minutes of action in 2011 (sorry Morgan!

Photo: Courtesy US Soccer

Philly Soccer Page

Today marks the return of one series and the start of another. First, fresh on the heels of our series of raves, we begin our series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player who saw more than ten minutes of action in 2011 (sorry Morgan!

St Mary's celebration after game winning goal in overtime.

Irvine, CA – Made the quick journey south to catch the UCI Anteaters hosting the St Mary's Gaels in 2nd round NCAA tournament action on a rainy night. Yep, packed the umbrella, towels, notebook, and camera and combatted the rain along with the other 656 people in attendance.

Photo: Earl Gardner

Union v Houston playoff watch

So, what time exactly will Sunday's game be kicking off? Marc Narducci reports, "If the Los Angeles Galaxy face the Colorado Rapids in the Western Conference semifinal, Sunday's Union game will start at 4. If the Galaxy play the New York Red Bulls or Columbus Crew, game time for the Union will be 5 p.

Zach Pfeffer may not remain the Philadelphia Union's only Home Grown Player signing for long, as academy star Christian Hernandez may soon join the club's first team.

His junior year of high school has been great for Hernandez, who is the star of the nation's best high school team in the country.

Christopher Santana and UIC battle South Florida this weekend. (Photo via UIC atheltic department)

Conference battles begin to heat up but a looming West Coast match may prove to be the biggest game in college soccer this weekend.

Below are some of the bigger games this weekend that I'll be keeping an eye on.

Christian Hernandez celebrates his match winner

Irvine, CA- So the college season kicked off last Friday for most programs across the country and I received a clear reminder of where we stand as a soccer nation with the horrific display between UC Irvine and USD. Yes, the game was such a disappointment that it could be considered a waste of a Friday night even to me with my 'soccer is life' mentality.

Latest from the PSP: We had match reports from the Everton and Real Madrid friendlies. Earl Gardner put together stunning photo essays from the Everton match, the Madrid match and a special set from the Everton U-17 game. Ed has a stat chat from the Madrid game that proves Michael Farfan is a $100 million player.

Peter Nowak spent the last week advising John Hackworth and Rob Vartughian through a walkie-talkie. Juan Diego Gonzalez saw minutes against Barclays Premier League side Everton FC and reigning Copa Del Rey winners / destroyers Real Madrid - no goals were allowed while he was on the pitch. Marc Zumoff sat in with Bob Rigby on a Union telecast.

Public transportation info for the Real Madrid game.

Septa released the following information on Friday:

"Saturday, July 23 @ 9:00 p.m.
Real Madrid vs. Philadelphia Union | Seven Express trains
Leaving Fern Rock at 7:28, 7:38, 7:48, 7:58, 8:08, 8:18 and 8:28 p.m.

Setting: Saturday, July 23 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia; kickoff scheduled for just after 9:00 PM Eastern

Broadcast Information: ESPN Deportes and ESPN3.com nationally, with coverage beginning at 9:00 PM Eastern

For the Real Madrid Perspective, Visit Managing Madrid

Just three days after the Philadelphia Union took a rather exhilarating 1-0 victory against Everton thanks to a late goal from academy player Christian Hernandez, the Union welcome Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid to Lincoln Financial Field.

The Philadelphia Union beat Everton 1-0 in what was the premier match of the day, on Wednesday, but it was the game that was viewed as just a youth game that was the better match.

Without star players Christian Hernandez and Jimmy McLaughlin, the under-18s struggled early on to handle their Everton opposites early on.

The Philly Soccer Page " PSP's Real Madrid primer
Spanish giants Real Madrid come to Philadelphia tomorrow to brave the wrath of Christian Hernandez and the Philadelphia Union.

Roger Torres: Player Profile | Union Dues

If you ask me, we need to see more of Roger in the game, maybe bring him in for Paunovic sometime to switch up the pace and mentality of the game, which is always a good thing in games where we are headed to a tie.

Philadelphia Union Captain Faryd Mondargon takes the field with his son.

Take 95 north and get off on Front Street, Cheerleaders will be on your left.

The players walk out on the pitch.

Trebu-Sheanon launches a throw-in.

Spanish giants Real Madrid come to Philadelphia tomorrow to brave the wrath of Christian Hernandez and the Philadelphia Union.

Madrid has an incredible history both as a soccer club and as a political institution. The club has won a record 31 league titles and 9 European/Champions League trophies.

from phillysoccerpage.net

Midsummer friendlies are controversial in nature. Fans point to the extra workload on first team players as being detrimental to the league, especially during what are often the hottest weeks of the year. In yesterday's friendly at PPL Park in suburban Philadelphia, a mixture of Union first team and youngsters proved too much for visiting Everton, as 17 year old Academy product Christian Hernandez scored in the final 5 minutes to secure a 1-0 result.

McCAFFERY: Friendlies offer Union a glimpse at greatness - delcotimes.com

I... I don't even... Ugh.

The Philly Soccer Page " Match report: Union 1-0 Everton
Everton FC traveled all the way from Liverpool to sleepwalk through a friendly against the Philadelphia Union Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Union

Some tweets:

Tim Cahill: "Wow that was Hot out there, Philly crowd were awesomeand it was a tough game. Great to be back in the Blue kit.#thankstotheEFCfans"

Phil Neville: "I'd love to play an MLS team in october/november when we r fit cause every year the standard keeps getting better and the stadiums r nice!

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Union

Some tweets:

Tim Cahill: "Wow that was Hot out there, Philly crowd were awesomeand it was a tough game. Great to be back in the Blue kit.#thankstotheEFCfans"

Phil Neville: "I'd love to play an MLS team in october/november when we r fit cause every year the standard keeps getting better and the stadiums r nice!

Development Academy U-17/18 Player of the Year Christian Hernandez came on as a 71st minute sub for the Philadelphia Union in a friendly against Everton. Just 16 minutes later, he scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory against the English Premier League side.
He told the Union website that: "It felt like a dream.

Everton FC traveled all the way from Liverpool to sleepwalk through a friendly against the Philadelphia Union Wednesday night. Union academy player Christian Hernandez lashed home a loose ball in the box in the 88th minute to give Philadelphia a deserved victory over Everton on a muggy night at PPL Park.

After missing a number of quality chances against English Premier League team Everton FC on Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Union finally put one away in the 87th minute through U-18 midfielder Christian Hernandez to record a 1-0 victory.

Hernandez, who was recently named the U-17/18 Player of the Year of the U.

(photo by Jose M. Romero)

By JOSE M. ROMERO

CHESTER, Pa. -- All of the Philadelphia Union's constant peppering of Everton's defense and goalkeeper Jan Mucha -- not Tim Howard -- paid off in thrilling fashion for the home team Wednesday night at PPL Park.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Jordan Harvey, 2010-2011

From @Jordan Harvey: "After a LONG day it was nice to sit down and read all of your messages. Thank you @PhilaUnion fans for all the amazing memories. @SonsofBen"

From @JordanCHarvey: "Bummed to be leaving such great fans, but everything happens for a reason, right?