The Hard Work Starts NowThe Red Bulls preseason got underway in earnest today at Montclair State University, as an expanded group of players reported to camp, including a massive 12-13 trialists. The size of the group is hardly surprising, considering the number of reserve and fringe players the club has shed since November.

Why have the Philadelphia Union added a scrimmage against Florida Gulf Coast University, of all places, to their preseason warm-up tour? With approximately 12,000 students including post-grads and a "noteable alumni" list that consists of a professional monster trucker and Don Carman (retired Philadelphia Phillies pitcher from the 80's), what put the FGCU Eagles on the radar?

Photo: Earl Gardner

The Philadelphia Union announced on Wednesday morning that they have declined the contract options on Levi Houapeu, Morgan Langley, Ryan Richter and Joe Tait.

The release of Levi Houapeu and Joe Tait frees up two international spots on the Union roster, a key concern with the recent offseason signings of Gabriel Gomez, Nizar Khalfan, Porfirio Lopez, and Josué Martinez.

Philadelphia Union

Are the Union shopping Danny Mwanga, as was reported by Ives Galarcep on Wednesday? "For the record we are not shopping Danny Mwanga," Diego Gutierrez tells Kerith Gabriel. "A lot of teams are finding themselves in a tough spot in the market and are looking within the league to supplement.

Date Opponent Time 4/7 at Charlotte Eagles 7:00 pm 4/15 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads 6:00 pm 4/21 at Richmond Kickers 7:00 pm 4/28 vs. Richmond Kickers 7:30 pm 5/5 vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds 7:30 pm 5/11 at Antigua Barracuda FC 7:00 pm 5/13 at Antigua Barracuda FC 4:30 pm 5/24 vs.

Richmond Kickers News Release:
RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, January 11, 2012) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the 2012 professional schedule, opening their 20th Anniversary season against longtime rival Charleston Battery on Saturday, April 7 at 5:00 p.m. As one of the three longest tenured professional soccer clubs in the United States, the Kickers will celebrate 20 years alongside the Battery and the Charlotte Eagles in 2012.

Philadelphia Union

Tweet from Freddy Adu: "Happy Holidays to everyone. Love the holiday season."

In Goal.com's survey of the Eastern Conference there is this review of the the Union's 2011 season in a sentence: "Another season of incremental growth for a young squad still in need of a couple of pieces to compete for MLS Cup.

Philadelphia Union

Tweet from Freddy Adu: "Happy Holidays to everyone. Love the holiday season."

In Goal.com's survey of the Eastern Conference there is this review of the the Union's 2011 season in a sentence: "Another season of incremental growth for a young squad still in need of a couple of pieces to compete for MLS Cup.

The Promotion/Relegation Debate Robert Hay of MLS Talk Uncle Ed Ft. Lauderdale Strikers fan represents NASL Brian Keyser PA Announcer of the Harrisburg City Islanders represents USL Pro. Kartik Krishnayier later joins me to discuss the future of the NASL. ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.

By Jimmy LaRoue

After several months of visa issues, the Norfolk SharX will finally have a full roster for the first time all season when it travels Saturday to Wichita.

Brazilians Marcus Schmidt and Jeferson Brandao de Oliveira, who were signed by SharX coach Jon Hall on a preseason scouting trip to South America, received their visas and will be available against the Wings.

(Photo: Paul Rudderow)

Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of "Raves" about our favorite Philadelphia players. They need not be the team's best players, but they're guys and gals we like. Over the next two weeks, we continue the series again with some of the PSP writers' and contributors' favorite players of 2011.

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.

(Photo: Nicolae Stoian)

Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of raves "Raves" about our favorite Philadelphia players. They need not be the team's best players, but they're guys and gals we like. Over the next two weeks, we continue the series again with some of the PSP writers and contributors favorite players of 2011.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Injury report

PHILADELPHIA UNION OUT: GK Thorne Holder (concussion); FW Levi Houapeu (L ankle strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Michael Farfan (R foot contusion); FW Veljko Paunovic (R hamstring strain); PROBABLE: MF Justin Mapp (L quad strain)

HOUSTON DYNAMO OUT: FW Cam Weaver (R hip)

The Union are hopeful Paunovic will be ready to go on Thursday.

After a long hiatus (for a number of reasons), here are the final (in most cases) attendance figures for the primary men's and women's outdoor soccer leagues in North America for 2011. As always, corrections and additions are welcome.

THE MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER G Total Avg. Seattle Sounders 17 654,431 38,496 Los Angeles Galaxy 17 396,693 23,335 Vancouver Whitecaps 17 346,909 20,406 Toronto FC 17 344,535 20,267 New York Red Bulls 17 335,740 19,749 Portland Timbers 17 320,051 18,827 Philadelphia Union 17 310,401 18,259 Sporting Kansas City 17 302,776 17,810 Houston Dynamo 17 300,796 17,694 Real Salt Lake 17 299,047 17,591 DC United 17 258,332 15,196 Colorado Rapids 17 252,248 14,838 Chivas USA 17 252,102 14,830 Chicago Fire 17 242,648 14,273 New England Revolution 17 224,770 13,222 FC Dallas 17 218,636 12,861 Columbus Crew 17 207,147 12,185 San Jose Earthquakes 17 201,587 11,858 MLS TOTAL 306 5,468,849 17,872 NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE G Total Avg.

Featured image: Bethlehem Steel in 1915 displaying their already impressive trophy collection. They would add their first US Open Cup, then known as the National Challenge Cup, on May 3, 1915 when they defeated Brooklyn Celtic in the final.. (Photo: Courtesy of Dan Morrison.)

Tuesday night will mark the 98th edition of the US Open Cup.

Where Are They Now: Not Languishing in the Lower Divisions

by Anthony Belinko

For whatever reason these players moved on from the top flight of American soccer and were picked up by teams in the lower divisions. These are all the players that were found from the Philadelphia Union's previous ranks and all of them did or are doing very well in their leagues.

Zac MacMath will have a new back up tonight, after the Philadelphia Union signed Harrisburg City Islanders goalkeeper Chase Harrison. Per team rules, the terms and transfer fee of the deal were not disclosed.

Harrison was likely signed by the Union through MLS' "extreme hardship call up" option.

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.

By KEITH HICKEY

Union right back Sheanon Williams will miss Friday's game against Sporting Kansas City after picking up a concussion. The injury to Williams, who had previously missed just one match this season, was reported by Philly.com and is listed on the official injury report, but the club has yet to make an official statement.

Philadelphia Union's development system took a giant leap forward Saturday night.

Saturday night's appearances by midfielders Zach Pfeffer and Morgan Langley marked the first time a true local product has played in a regular season game for the Union.

Until now, Philly-area players haven't been represented at PPL Park in a game that mattered.

Philadelphia Union's development system took a giant leap forward Saturday night.

Saturday night's appearances by midfielders Zach Pfeffer and Morgan Langley marked the first time a true local product has played in a regular season game for the Union.

Until now, Philly-area players haven't been represented at PPL Park in a game that mattered.

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.

The United Soccer League's (USL) PRO division Twitter account tweeted today that the Harrisburg City Islanders' goalkeeper Chase Harrison will train with the Philadelphia Union this week.

Harrison training with the team possibly signals that current back up Thorne Holder was injured during the Union's 2-1 Reserve League loss to the Columbus Crew.

While it wasn't quite as crazy as the close of the European transfer window, the close of the MLS transaction window did bring a flurry of moves, though no real blockbusters or moves involving big-name players.

The deadline day activity was confined to one minor trade and a raid on the roster of USL-Pro champions Orlando City, with three Orlando City players making moves to MLS sides.

Img via Swarthmore College

The Philadelphia Union have signed midfielder Morgan Langley.

Langley had two goals in 20 games for the Islanders this season. He becomes the third player to make the move from Harrisburg to Philly, following Sheanon Williams and Big Joe Tait.

Welcome to the Big Show, Morgan!

Former Harrisburg City Islanders midfielder Morgan Langley has been signed by the Philadelphia Union, according to tweets from the player and his friends.

Yesterday Langley tweeted that he was "speechless" and his "childhood dream just came true! #lifeisgood." The timing of the tweets coincided with the Islanders' announcement that Langley and teammate Sainey Touray would train with the Union for the remainder of the week.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Union

Today is Roster Freeze Day in MLS and at 5pm the final Philadelphia Union roster for the remainder of the season must be submitted to the league. Will there be any surprises?

How did some of the Union players react to the shambles that was the 2–2 draw between Columbus and Houston on Wednesday night?

The Philadelphia Union have invited Morgan Langley and Sainey Touray to train with the team this week, according to the Harrisburg City Islanders' Facebook page.

Touray featured heavily for Harrisburg City in 2011, playing in 21 games, scoring seven goals and assisting on six others in 1,161 minutes.

Photo: Earl Gardner

The Philadelphia Union announced on Tuesday that 21-year-old English defender Joe Tait has been signed.

Tait has featured in two reserve team matches, registering an assist in the 2–0 win over New England reserves. Tait also scored in the friendly against Harrisburg City Islanders on August 24 and joins the team from USL PRO club Dayton Dutch Lions.

The Philadelphia Union have signed Joe Tait, formerly a defender for the Dayton Dutch Lions of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) PRO division.

Tait is listed as part of the Union's salary cap as of 9/1/2011, according to the Major League Soccer Players Union. Seen as a prospect at center back, the former 2010 USL Premier Development League (PDL) Defender of the Year will make the minimum MLS salary, a prorated $42,000 this season,

The 20-year-old's status with the Union has been up in the air since Tait tweeted about being disappointed that his paperwork had not gone through in time to play the Columbus Crew on the road.

The USL Pro season came to a close with an entertaining and exciting final Saturday night that saw Orlando City outlast the Harrisburg City Islanders in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes. Here are the highlights:

It was a heartbreaking loss for the City Islanders, who had finished with the fifth-best overall record in the league but who battled the regular-season champion Lions toe-to-toe for 120 minutes.

Sheanon Williams has come a long way since he signed with the Union in late August of 2010. Williams is in the midst of a stellar year and he's a player Union fans are glad to have. His physicality and prowess going forward have proven to be both threatening and impressive against opposing teams. We spoke to Sheanon briefly about his season so far and his thoughts on the future.

In terms of excitement and drama, the USL couldn't have asked for much more from a championship game as red cards, late equalizers and a penalty kick shootout highlighted Orlando City's victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders to take the USL Pro title in front of their home fans.

After a relatively quiet first half, the game was sparked into life with the ejection of Orlando City's starting goalkeeper, Miguel Gallardo.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Union

The Union are still playing coy about whether or not Faryd Mondragon left the game because of a broken finger.

Reaction to the Union's dispiriting loss on Saturday to Real Salt Lake from MLSsoccer.com, the Inquirer, the Salt Lake Tribune, RSL Soapbox, SB Nation, the Brotherly Game, the IllegitimateS, Buzz on Broad, SBI.

Shootout is the name of the game this year. Losers in shootouts have been more famous than winners on some occasions, first Argentina and Brazil in Copa America, than the U.S. Women's National Team in the World Cup Final.

On the eve of the Inaugural US PRO Championship game, USL officials named their first individule honors this afternoon at an awards ceremony in Orlando, Florida, site of tomorrow's USL PRO Championship Game featuring Orlando City and the Harrisburg City Islanders. (The Championship game between Harrisburg and Orlando will be televised live tomorrow, Saturday, Sept.

Union

Ahhhhh, a weekend with a game...

And, what's this, not just a game but a potential signing? Joe Tait, the young defender on trial with the Union who scored the final goal in the team's 5–2 win over Harrisburg City Islanders last week, appears set to sign with the club. After messages on Twitter from himself (follow him at @joetait1) and Stuart Hayers (@Stuhayers)—his former coach at PDL side Baton Rouge Capitals and founder of the S&B Kinesis sports management company of which Tait is a client—hinting at a move that have since been removed from Twitter (check out this from the ever Twitter-vigilant Brotherly Game for their content), Hayers sent a tweet that mentions his S&B Kinesis co-founder, an assistant coaches and the owner of the Capitals early Friday morning saying, "fat lady is clearing her throat.

Union

Ahhhhh, a weekend with a game...

And, what's this, not just a game but a potential signing? Joe Tait, the young defender on trial with the Union who scored the final goal in the team's 5–2 win over Harrisburg City Islanders last week, appears set to sign with the club. After messages on Twitter from himself (follow him at @joetait1) and Stuart Hayers (@Stuhayers)—his former coach at PDL side Baton Rouge Capitals and founder of the S&B Kinesis sports management company of which Tait is a client—hinting at a move that have since been removed from Twitter (check out this from the ever Twitter-vigilant Brotherly Game for their content), Hayers sent a tweet that mentions his S&B Kinesis co-founder, an assistant coaches and the owner of the Capitals early Friday morning saying, "fat lady is clearing her throat.

(H/T @Scotty10711)

Philadelphia Union trialist Joe Tait tweeted today that he's set to sign with the team.

The 21-year-old defender played in the Union's friendly against USL affiliate Harrisburg City Islanders and scored a goal for Philadelphia in the 5-3 win. An Englishman, Tait came over in 2009 to play soccer in America and was named the USL PDL Player of the Year in 2010, before moving up to USL PRO in 2011.