Now that we've got the men out of the way, it's the women's turn on Friday. The WPS Draft continues an exciting week of soccer from Kansas City as the Independence look to bolster their squad moving into 2012.

In speaking with Philadelphia coach Paul Riley this week, it appears the entire starting XI from last season's WPS Final will be returning to Philadelphia.

Mais um jogo da Pacific Games 2011, no dia05/09/2011, na cidade de Noumea-NCA, onde jogaram as seleções da Nova Caledônia (165º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção das Ilhas Salomão (177º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções jogaram:
Eliminatórias Copa do Mundo
2010Apia 05/09/2007 SOL2:3 (1:1)NCL Semi-finals2006Honiara 15/05/2004 SOL2:0 (2:0)NCL First stage
O árbitro desse jogo, foi: Chris Kerr-NZL.

Mais um jogo do Pacific Games, foi realizada no dia 03/09/2011, na cidade de Noumea-NCA, onde jogaram as seleções da Nova Caledônia (165º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção de Samoa Americana (203º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleçõs nunca haviam jogado.
O árbitro desse jogo, foi: Rakesh Varman-FIJ
Segue o scout:
Bertrand Kai (10.

(Photo: Michael Long)

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.

Mais um jogo do Pacific Games 2011, foi realizado no dia 30/08/2011, na cidade de Noumea-NCA, onde jogaram as seleções da Nova Caledônia (165º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção de Guam (197º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleçõa nunca jogaram.
O árbitro desse jogo, foi: Kader Zitouni-TAH
O scout, foi assim :
Bertrand Kai (12.

By Chris Wright

One to melt even the frostiest of cockles now, with a little clip of Robson Junior (it's hard to tell height-wise, but he's the diddy fella on the right the one with the Fellaini 'fro) showing up Dad at Milan training with a couple of nimble step-overs before laying a smacker on his old man.

Mais um jogo das eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2014, Brazil, foi realizado no dia 28/07/2011, na cidade de Manilla-PHI, onde jogaram as seleções das Filipinas (162º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção do Kuwait (95º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções jogaram:
2014Kuwait City 23/07/2011 KUW3:0 (1:0)PHI
O árbitro desse jogo, foi: LIU Kwok Man (HKG)
O primeiro assistente do jogo, foi: CHUNG Ming Sang (HKG)
O segundo assistente do jogo, foi: LAM Chi Ho (HKG)
O quarto árbitro do jogo, foi: NG Kai Lam (HKG)
O primeiro gol do jogo, foi de Stephan SCHROCK, aos 47 minutos do primeiro tempo, para a seleção das Filipinas, marcando seu primeiro gol pela seleçaõ nacional.

It's Thursday, so we've got your awesome soccer vids to get you through the workday. Sound off below on which are your favorites.
Starting you off here is a highlight real for one of the scariest ladies of women's soccer: Natasha Kai. The girl is just plain badass.
Next up we've got a collection of Landon Donovan MLS highlights up through 2010.

Once a blue, always a blue Wayne Rooney is likely to be left out of pocket by Mikel Arteta's transfer deadline day switch from Everton to Arsenal. Rooney's wife Coleen yesterday revealed that their son Kai had Arteta's name and number on the back of his personalised Everton kit. She tweeted: "Arh Kai has got [.

O 12º jogo das eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2014, foi realizado no dia 03/07/2011, na cidade de Yangon-MYA, no Thuwunna Youth Training Centre, onde jogaram as seleções de Myanmar (167º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção da Mongólia (179º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções jogaram:
2014Ulaan-Baatar 29/06/2011 MNG1:0 (0:0)MYA
O árbitro desse jogo, foi: LIU Kwok Man (HKG)
O primeiro assistente do jogo, foi: CHAN Shui Hung (HKG)
O segundo assistente do jogo, foi: Chun Kit CHOW (HKG)
O quarto árbitro do jogo, foi: NG Kai Lam (HKG)
O primeiro gol de Myanmar, foi de Paing SOE, aos 17 minutos do segundo tempo.

In a game worthy of a Championship, the Western New York Flash defeated the Philadelphia Independence in a shootout 5-4 after the teams ended 120 minutes of soccer tied at one. Ashlyn Harris saved Laura del Rio's penalty on Philadelphia's fifth and final shot after every other shooter had converted for both teams.

A bigger stage awaits...

...the women of the Independence as the faced magicJack in the 2011 WPS Super Semifinal.

The action starts early and sticks to several dominant themes:
1) Frustrate Abby Wambach...

Estelle Johnson drives theme number 2:
Keep Rapinoe under wraps.

photo by Michael Long

The Independence defeated magicJack 2-0 in the WPS Super Semi Final at PPL Park on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Tasha Kai and Amy Rodriguez were enough to see the Independence through as magicJack will feel a bit unlucky after hitting the wood work three times over the course of the match.

Alright, so Kai's porcelain skin only helps Col to look more orange, but let's focus on the positive, shall we? The cheeky finger wave, biteable baby calves and Coleen's fabbo Chanel sandals provide sufficient distraction for now. Oh, and this tweet from earlier. We. Die.

Saturday

- A few hotties from Hanover 96 spent their day of rest stroking some sea lions at the zoo. Wild animals and footballers they get us every time.

- Newly-appointed USMNT manager, Jürgen Klinsmann, has actually made it in America once before. Who knew and why didn't they share sooner?

PUMA has launched the 2011 edition of their anti-breast cancer initiative Project Pink. You can find out more about it at the PUMA Project Pink and PUMA Women's Professional Soccer websites. Here are PUMA athletes and USA Wpmen's National Team Players Tasha Kai and Leslie Osbourne along with The Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev kicking [.

Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. balances a ball on her head during a practice session for the upcoming final of the Women's World Cup in Frankfurt July 15, 2011. The U.S. will play Japan in the World Cup final on Sunday in Frankfurt. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

To see more World Cup pictures, click here.

DiMartino launches a cross that is pulled out of the air before Farrelly can direct it in.

Western New York answered back, but could not get passed Val Hendersen.

Sinead Farrelly game has been getting much better in the past few matches. She created good opportunities and put pressure on goal throughout the match.

cover photo by Michael Long

The Independence won their fifth straight game on Saturday to go four points clear on the top of the table over the visiting Western New York Flash. Tasha Kai scored her lead leading 8th goal of the campaign and Sinead Farrelly scored her first ever career goal for the winner.

The Independence huddle before hitting the field

Kai's headers were essential in this match

Tasha Kai's consistent pressure on goal led to great game for her

Boquete and Kai celebrate after Kai launches a beautiful header past NJ's goalie to open the scoring

NJ gets on the board with an own goal

NJ kept pressure on goal, leading to a very physical and hard fought first half

NJ celebrates after they earn their second goal to take the lead

Farrelly redirecting a cross

NJ's solid goaltending kept Sky Blue in the lead through the end of the first half

The team return to the field determined to regain this game

Visiting fans and youth soccer players from UAE celebrate after yet another Tasha Kai goal

Tasha Kai celebrates another goal after earning her a hat trick on the evening

Estelle Johnson.

Much like his daddy, Kai Rooney shows that his footy love knows no boundaries. Obviously supporting Wayne's boyhood club Everton along with his dad's current employers, Manchester United was going to be non-negotiable. P.S. how cheek munching, raspberry blowing, tickle monster inducing adorable is this kid?

By Chris Wright

Apologies for the awful sound quality...

Here's a story to warm your shrivelled, cynical cockles. Seven-year old sprog Kai Fifield landed himself a trial with Barcelona after scouts from the Spanish giants happened to spot the urchin from Northampton having a kickabout with a group of older boys whilst on holiday with his old man in the Catalan city.

The two teams are escorted on to the field by some local FC's. Adam's corner kick quickly leads to a goal by McNeil. Celebration ensues as the first goal of the game is scored. Boquete's speed and skills were on display the entire game earning her a goal in the first half. The Independence kept constant pressure on during the first half adding one more goal to their tally.

The Independence were able to move into second place in the six team WPS with a 6-0 thrashing of the team I will only refer to as Florida. The margin of victory is the highest ever in the 2.5 year old league and only the second time ever a team has scored six goals in a game (the now defunct LA team did it last season).

Paul Riley and the coaching staff faced a tie on Saturday. The home team hits the field. Val Henderson and Tasha Kia are surrounded by fans. Estelle Johnson is escorted out to the field before the game by a local FC. Independence fans from some of the local FC's. DiMartino and Lohman move the ball up field.

photo by Michael Long

While the Union were probably content to grab a point on the road in Colorado, the Independence will feel disappointed not to grab all three as they dominated Atlanta but could not find a breakthrough on Saturday night. Atlanta, the bottom team in the WPS standings, came into the game playing for the draw and did well to stay compact and behind the ball for most of the match.

Wazza's latest purchase Fresh from showing off his new hair, Manchester United star Wayne Rooney temporarily caused internet outrage after seemingly implying that he had bought a child at the airport. En-route to his holidays, Rooney tweeted: "Just bought Kai the new man utd kid from jd in airport. He will look so cute in [.

By Chris Wright

The latest in Pies' 'Fruit of Footballing Loins' series sees Robinho allow his three-year old son, Robson Junior, to tag along with him to Selecao training only to be completely skinned for pace by his wee sprog (0:30), before the little man evades the evil clutches of Elano to round his old man with a burst of acceleration and tucks one away from close range (0:47).

By Chris Wright

The latest in Pies' 'Fruit of Footballing Loins' series sees Robinho allow his three-year old son, Robson Junior, to tag along with him to Selecao training only to be completely skinned for pace by his wee sprog (0:30), before the little man evades the evil clutches of Elano to round his old man with a burst of acceleration and tucks one away from close range (0:47).

Sinead Farrelly moving the ball out Megan Rapinoe's breakaway leading to her goal Celebrating Rapinoe's brilliant strike Tina DiMartino boxed out by McCall Zerboni Lianne Sanderson leaps for a header that makes it to Brittany Bock Amy Rodriguez nearly kicked in the face WNY celebrates their first goal Nicole Barnhart guesses wrong on Marta's penalty kick Independence frustration as the Flash rejoices Sanderson settles Rodriguez nearly takes another hit Marta streaks past Jen Buczkowski toward goal Zerboni and Farrelly fight for control of the ball Lori Lindsey sends in a cross Rodriguez WILL beat you to that ball Tasha Kai and Megan Rapinoe signing autographs Buczkowski does the same.

He's refused a sitter Kai Rooney obviously likes to score his goals in spurts, just like daddy. And we can only assume he's currently in the middle of an off-spell after turning down the opportunity to send the Manchester United faithful into raptures. Rooney Jr. shunned a very generous assist from the old man (ie.

By Chris Wright

The latest in Pies' 'football sprogs do the darndest things' series sees wee Kai Rooney (who looks the spit of his dad, only 10,000% cuter) flunks an absolute gift of a chance in front of the Stretford End robbing the throng of photographers gathered behind the goal of their shot in the process.

The Philly Soccer Page » Mondragon, Ruiz are Union's top paid players
Striker Carlos Ruiz and goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon are Philadelphia Union's highest paid players this season, according to salary data released this weekend by the Major League Soccer Players Association.

Thoughts on Portland | Philly Union Talk

Can't win 'em all eh?

Da am Sonntag der 1.Mai und somit ein Feiertag in Deutschland ist, fanden heute ausnahmsweise zwei Freitagabendspiele statt. Doch warum gibt es am 1.Mai in Deutschland kein Fussball? Ganz einfach, die Polizei ist mit den alljährlichen Demos und Krawallmachern rund um diesen Feiertag so ausgelastet, dass Fussballspiele zusätzlich nicht gesichert werden können.

LeBron's New Team.So LeBron James is a minority owner of Liverpool FC this morning. Well yippe-kai-yay. Hey LeBron, can you find Liverpool on a map? (Hint: It's in England--over there, no higher. North. No, that's south).
The nuts and bolts of the deal are that Fenway Sports Group, i.e., the Boston Red Sox, and LeBron's marketing firm LRMR negotiated a deal where Fenway will rep LeBron.

Wayne and Coleen Rooney have had early pictures of their Son Kai returned after Police arrested three scum-bags aged 28, 41 and a women 25 who were blackmailing the couple for the return of the lost photos of their Son Kai.

The United ace and his Wife Coleen had left their camera behind after attending a Black Eyed Peas concert in May.

John O'Shea's lovely wife debuted her baby bump for the first time last weekend. The couple are expecting their first child this summer, which with Rebecca Ferdinand (Rio) and Leanne Brown (Wes), completes a hat-trick of new Manchester United babies to be on the look out for. In case you weren't aware, Yvonne wasn't the only Red Deviled WAG looking good at Old Trafford this weekend.

THAI PORT YOUTH TEAM SQUAD 2011
1. Nathawut Sanor
2. Todsapon Chuchin
3. Patsakorn Kamon
4. Athiwat Lekphukieow
5. Tayathorn Saengthammakitkun
6. Marc Junior
7. Worawat Songchai
8. Sivakorn Chakhuaprasat (c)
9. Suchart Thongphayap
10. Phuttakhun Narin
11.