Photo: Paul Rudderow

In the hours following the Union's official announcement of their decision to sell Sebastien Le Toux to the Vancouver Whitecaps, the French striker who leaves Philadelphia as the club's statistical leader in nearly every measurable offensive category, showed the professionalism, character, and emotion that made him such a beloved figure in Philadelphia.

Featured image courtesy of Philadelphia Union

While posing a hypothetical question to the Union Twitterati whether they would accept $2.75 million for Sebastien Le Toux, Jonathan "The Goalkeeper" Tannenwald mentions, "I've been told there has been no offer yet."

Meanwhile, Daily News reporter Kerith Gabriel writes, "It's likely the Union will start the 2012 campaign without Frenchman Sebastien Le Toux.

Sky Sports reports that Bolton manager Owen Coyle "claims no decision has been taken as yet regarding a permanent deal" for Sebastien Le Toux.

Jonathan Tannenwald tweets, "A Union source says the team 'would not use Tim Ream as a benchmark' in any negotiations over Le Toux regarding transfer fee.

Sky Sports reports that Bolton manager Owen Coyle "claims no decision has been taken as yet regarding a permanent deal" for Sebastien Le Toux.

Jonathan Tannenwald tweets, "A Union source says the team 'would not use Tim Ream as a benchmark' in any negotiations over Le Toux regarding transfer fee.

Amobi Okugo has had a busy offseason, shuttling around the world playing for various US youth National team squads and MLS special tournament teams, but it appears to have all worked out for the midfielder. The 20-year-old is ranked eighth on ESPN on a list of under-21 US soccer players, and is one of three of those players on the list that are on the sports site's front page.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Jack McInerney scored in the US U-23 team's 1–1 draw with the USMNT. McInerney, Amobi Okugo, and Freddy Adu started the first half. Zac MacMath and Sheanon Williams started the second half.

John Hackworth says of Tom Brandt, the Union's first pick in the Supplemental Draft, "We wanted to get a quality player in the back and we feel like we did that with Tom Brandt.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Jack McInerney scored in the US U-23 team's 1–1 draw with the USMNT. McInerney, Amobi Okugo, and Freddy Adu started the first half. Zac MacMath and Sheanon Williams started the second half.

John Hackworth says of Tom Brandt, the Union's first pick in the Supplemental Draft, "We wanted to get a quality player in the back and we feel like we did that with Tom Brandt.

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.

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.

Philadelphia Union have figured out the formula to the MLS amateur draft:

Be patient, wait for other teams to screw up, and draft the best player available. When in doubt late, take a guy who played for Reading United.

The Union did it again this year, so let's talk about it with the proverbial Five Observations About .

Philadelphia Union have figured out the formula to the MLS amateur draft:

Be patient, wait for other teams to screw up, and draft the best player available. When in doubt late, take a guy who played for Reading United.

The Union did it again this year, so let's talk about it with the proverbial Five Observations About .

Philadelphia Union assistant coach John Hackworth spoke to reporters via conference call on Wednesday night ahead of today's SuperDraft. He discussed the Union's approach to the Players Combine, the possibility of trades, particularly for an international spot, and how the Union are in a different position going into the 2012 SuperDraft compared to 2010 and 2011.

Philadelphia Union assistant coach John Hackworth spoke to reporters via conference call on Wednesday night ahead of today's SuperDraft. He discussed the Union's approach to the Players Combine, the possibility of trades, particularly for an international spot, and how the Union are in a different position going into the 2012 SuperDraft compared to 2010 and 2011.

Featured image: Nicolae Stoian

We'll have updates of today's SuperDraft throughout the day as well as reaction to the Union's selection. On to the news...

Ives Galarcep's mock draft at Fox Soccer has this to say: "The Union are believed to be shopping forward Danny Mwanga, and even with the recent addition of young Costa Rican forward Josue Martinez, Philadelphia can use some depth up top.

Featured image: Nicolae Stoian

We'll have updates of today's SuperDraft throughout the day as well as reaction to the Union's selection. On to the news...

Ives Galarcep's mock draft at Fox Soccer has this to say: "The Union are believed to be shopping forward Danny Mwanga, and even with the recent addition of young Costa Rican forward Josue Martinez, Philadelphia can use some depth up top.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

In a conference call on Wednesday, Union assistant coach John Hackworth confirmed that Michael Farfan is in northern England training with English Premier League club Sunderland. "But with Michael, he's there because he wanted to make himself fully prepared and ready, he wanted to go experience it and make sure he's ready for preseason," Hackworth said.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

In a conference call on Wednesday, Union assistant coach John Hackworth confirmed that Michael Farfan is in northern England training with English Premier League club Sunderland. "But with Michael, he's there because he wanted to make himself fully prepared and ready, he wanted to go experience it and make sure he's ready for preseason," Hackworth said.

[Editor's note: Another look at the USMNT under-17 team]

This evening's game took place only 2 days after the American's 2-1 victory over Turkey. One of my players to watch, Herber Mejia-Flores had an assist and goal in that game. That same day Brazil drew with France 1-1. In this round robin tournament that meant that Brazil and the US each had 4 points going into this game.

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.

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.

Photo of Taylor Twellman at Union's 2011 home opener by Earl Gardner.

Deportivo Saprissa president Juan Carlos Rojas has confirmed in an interview with a Costa Rican radio station that the Union has been in contact with the club about Josue Martinez, saying "I would not go into much detail but there has been interest from Philadelphia [in Martinez].

Photo of Taylor Twellman at Union's 2011 home opener by Earl Gardner.

Deportivo Saprissa president Juan Carlos Rojas has confirmed in an interview with a Costa Rican radio station that the Union has been in contact with the club about Josue Martinez, saying "I would not go into much detail but there has been interest from Philadelphia [in Martinez].

The Philadelphia Union have made their first off-season moves, and the latest installment of the KYW Philly Soccer Show has Union assistant coach John Hackworth on the pod to talk about it.

In part one, Coach Hackworth joins KYW‘s Greg Orlandini and Philly Soccer Page writer Eli Pearlman-Storch to discuss losing veteran midfielder Justin Mapp to Montreal Impact in the Expansion Draft and other possible moves in the offseason.

The Philadelphia Union have made their first off-season moves, and the latest installment of the KYW Philly Soccer Show has Union assistant coach John Hackworth on the pod to talk about it.

In part one, Coach Hackworth joins KYW‘s Greg Orlandini and Philly Soccer Page writer Eli Pearlman-Storch to discuss losing veteran midfielder Justin Mapp to Montreal Impact in the Expansion Draft and other possible moves in the offseason.

(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.

(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.

[Editor's note: Nice write up about what went on during the u-17 game today]

The U-17 team resides in Brandenton, Fl. at the IMG Training Academy. The system used at IMG is similar to the youth academies of Europe, where students receive an education at the local school while intensively practicing soccer.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Y0u can watch a live stream of today's Expansion Draft the French Canadian way from 3pm on the Montreal Impact website. (It's supposed to be on the MLS site too but, as of this writing, they haven't put the link up yet.)

Montreal Impact head coach Jesse Marsch is among those who noticed Freddy Adu was left unprotected by the Philadelphia Union ahead of today's Expansion Draft.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Y0u can watch a live stream of today's Expansion Draft the French Canadian way from 3pm on the Montreal Impact website. (It's supposed to be on the MLS site too but, as of this writing, they haven't put the link up yet.)

Montreal Impact head coach Jesse Marsch is among those who noticed Freddy Adu was left unprotected by the Philadelphia Union ahead of today's Expansion Draft.

(Photo: Courtesy of Montreal Impact)

Philly Soccer Page writer Adam Cann recently spoke with Montreal Impact coach Jesse Marsh. In their conversation, Marsch talked about the many variables to consider when deciding who to select in the Expansion Draft, as well as the club's vision for the future and his role as a coach.

(Photo: Courtesy of Montreal Impact)

Philly Soccer Page writer Adam Cann recently spoke with Montreal Impact coach Jesse Marsh. In their conversation, Marsch talked about the many variables to consider when deciding who to select in the Expansion Draft, as well as the club's vision for the future and his role as a coach.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Faryd Mondragon said, "If we play the way we know how to play, we can beat anyone."

Sebastien Le Toux on Houston: "We know we can beat them."

And, as Marc Narducci reports, Danny Califf knows it can be done. Califf was on the LA Galaxy team that, in the 2003, beat San Jose 2–0 in the first leg, was up 2–0 in the second half, and lost 2–5 in extra time.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

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.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Philadelphia Union manager Peter Nowak can prove Sunday just how good a manager he really is.

It will happen when the starting lineup is announced.

Outsiders may think Nowak's a potential coach of the year, but those who follow the Union closely know he's been a better executive than a chooser of starting lineups.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Playoff tickets are now on sale!

Kerith Gabriel reports in the Daily News that Faryd Mondragon, who is a finalist for Soccer America's Goalkeeper of the Year, will start against Toronto. "I am not used to being out, so it felt like forever," Mondragon said.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Playoff tickets are now on sale!

Kerith Gabriel reports in the Daily News that Faryd Mondragon, who is a finalist for Soccer America's Goalkeeper of the Year, will start against Toronto. "I am not used to being out, so it felt like forever," Mondragon said.

One More Game

Goalkeeper Chase Harrison will remain with the Philadelphia Union for at least one more game, as the emergency back up is still the only active goalkeeper on the team's roster besides current starter Zac MacMath.

Harrison was signed by the Union as a temporary replacement for third string goalkeeper Thorne Holder, who continues to be hampered by symptoms relating to the 25-year-old's second concussion of the year.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Kevin Kinkead scouts DC United and says keep an eye on that Canadian fella, Dwayne "Famous Dancer" De Rosario. MLSsoccer.com's Talking Tactics column looks at the evolution of his offensive role throughout his career. Hurt him, Danny and Carlos, hurt him.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Kevin Kinkead scouts DC United and says keep an eye on that Canadian fella, Dwayne "Famous Dancer" De Rosario. MLSsoccer.com's Talking Tactics column looks at the evolution of his offensive role throughout his career. Hurt him, Danny and Carlos, hurt him.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Chris Vito reports that the Union will be using a MLS pool goalkeeper as a backup to Zac MacMath for the Kansas City game.

The Kansas City Star expects Sporting to defeat the Union, saying, while they "might plan on playing the 'bunker' game on the road," the Union haven't shown "the strength to withstand anyone.