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?

Bad news for the Texas Rangers. Not only do they have to recover from choking in Game 6, they have to bounce back against Chris Carpenter. The St. Louis Cardinals ace has been in a ton of big games and has a proven track record of stepping up big.

For proof, you just have to look back to the Cardinals series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

When former NFL head coach Jim Mora began his now famous "PLAYOFFS!?" rant, he wasn't discussing the Indianapolis Colts actually making the playoffs, he was ranting about the media even thinking about that happening. In the case of the Philadelphia Union, the outcry of the similar high pitched, cracking voice that accompanies the three or four "PLAYOFFS!

In February 2008, Philadelphia was officially awarded a MLS franchise. Only a few months earlier, the Philadelphia Eagles had finished at the bottom of their division. The Phillies were still licking their wounds after being unceremoniously swept out of the MLB playoffs by a surging Rockies team that would make it to the World Series before crumbling.

The 2011 baseball playoffs begin tomorrow. Yesterday was one of the most exciting days in baseball history. Can the 2011 baseball playoffs match that level of excitement? Probably not ... but you never know.

Here are our 2011 baseball postseason predictions:

American League
Texas Rangers Defeat Tampa Bay Rays (3-2)
New York Yankees Defeat Detroit Tigers (3-1)
Texas Rangers Defeat New York Yankees (4-2)

National League
Milwaukee Brewers Defeat Arizona Diamondbacks (3-2)
Philadelphia Phillies Defeat St.

The 2011 baseball playoffs begin tomorrow. Yesterday was one of the most exciting days in baseball history. Can the 2011 baseball playoffs match that level of excitement? Probably not ... but you never know.

Here are our 2011 baseball postseason predictions:

American League
Texas Rangers Defeat Tampa Bay Rays (3-2)
New York Yankees Defeat Detroit Tigers (3-1)
Texas Rangers Defeat New York Yankees (4-2)

National League
Milwaukee Brewers Defeat Arizona Diamondbacks (3-2)
Philadelphia Phillies Defeat St.

There are plenty of good candidates for the 2011 NL Cy Young Award. However, one man stands out above the rest of the pack. And here's a hint at who he is: The Cy Young Award winner knows the 2011 NL MVP winner very well.

5. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
One of three Phillies on this list, Cole Hamels finished second in the NL in WHIP at 0.

Wow. The Atlanta Braves looked assured of a spot in the 2011 baseball playoffs just a few weeks ago. But after losing on Wednesday, the Braves completed a tumble all the way out of the playoffs. Their 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in 13 innings handed the postseason spot to Chris Carpenter and the St.

Wow. The Atlanta Braves looked assured of a spot in the 2011 baseball playoffs just a few weeks ago. But after losing on Wednesday, the Braves completed a tumble all the way out of the playoffs. Their 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in 13 innings handed the postseason spot to Chris Carpenter and the St.

The St. Louis Cardinals needed a win to guarantee at least a tie for a spot in the 2011 baseball playoffs. With all the cards on the table, Chris Carpenter was a true ace as the Cardinals won by a final count of 8-0.

Carpenter pitched a two-hit shutout while striking out 11 batters and giving up only one walk.

The St. Louis Cardinals needed a win to guarantee at least a tie for a spot in the 2011 baseball playoffs. With all the cards on the table, Chris Carpenter was a true ace as the Cardinals won by a final count of 8-0.

Carpenter pitched a two-hit shutout while striking out 11 batters and giving up only one walk.

Mariano Rivera has long been regarded as the best closer in the history of baseball. That title got even more official on Monday when the New York Yankees hurler saved the 602nd game of his career. By doing so, he passed Trevor Hoffman to become baseball's all-time saves leader.

In fitting fashion, Rivera's ninth inning went 1-2-3.

Mariano Rivera has long been regarded as the best closer in the history of baseball. That title got even more official on Monday when the New York Yankees hurler saved the 602nd game of his career. By doing so, he passed Trevor Hoffman to become baseball's all-time saves leader.

In fitting fashion, Rivera's ninth inning went 1-2-3.

Philadelphia Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. visited the Philadelphia Union last night, appearing on The Comcast Network's broadcast for a brief amount of time.

Amaro either didn't make the trip with the Phillies to Wisconsin - where the team has won the first three games of a -four games series against the Milwaukee Brewers with the final game tonight - or came back to Philadelphia to watch the Union.

Welcome back, Matt Diaz. The Atlanta Braves sent a player to be named later to the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Matt Diaz. The 33-year-old played for the Braves from 2006 through 2010. He signed with Pittsburgh last offseason.

So far this season, Diaz has been a bust. He's hitting .259 with no homers and 19 RBIs.

CSN Philly and Philly.com are both reporting that the Philadelphia Union's game on August 29 has been moved to September 7, at 8 pm, because of Hurricane Irene.

Here are the tweets from CSN Philly's Ryan Bright and Philly.com's, and the Philadelphia Daily News', Kerith Gabriel:

CSNPhilly.

Hurrice Irene continues to move toward the Eastern coastline of the USA, but the Philadelphia Union have chosen to "monitor" the situation and are not providing any other information about a possible postponement decision.

Irene is due to hit the Philadelphia area by the time that the Union game begins Sunday night, 7 pm, against the New England Revolution.

Tony Bruno hosts one of the most popular sports radio shows in the nation. However, after a recent Twitter breakdown, Tony Bruno should be fired. He went way over the line in response to a brawl between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants.

In that game, Giants reliever Ramon Ramirez started a brawl by hitting Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino in the back with a pitch.

Tony Bruno hosts one of the most popular sports radio shows in the nation. However, after a recent Twitter breakdown, Tony Bruno should be fired. He went way over the line in response to a brawl between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants.

In that game, Giants reliever Ramon Ramirez started a brawl by hitting Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino in the back with a pitch.

I had an interesting interaction via Twitter with Georgina Turner who writes about the Prem for Sports Illustrated on the topic of the booing of ones own team. The cause of the conversation was the ugly conclusion to Arsenal vs. New York Red Bull in the final match of the pre-season Emirates Cup. For those who didn't watch (or read about it), Arsenal supporters channeled their inner

The Atlanta Braves have been aggressive during this year's trade deadline in an attempt to add a big name to their team. On Sunday, the Braves finally got their man. Michael Bourn was dealt to the Braves in return for four minor league prospects: Brett Oberholzer, Paul Clemens, Juan Abreu and Jordan Schafer.

The Atlanta Braves have been aggressive during this year's trade deadline in an attempt to add a big name to their team. On Sunday, the Braves finally got their man. Michael Bourn was dealt to the Braves in return for four minor league prospects: Brett Oberholzer, Paul Clemens, Juan Abreu and Jordan Schafer.

According to multiple reports, the Philadelphia Phillies are trading for Hunter Pence. While the deal isn't official, it is expected to be officially announced soon. In return, the Houston Astros are said to be receiving four minor league prospects.

The 28-year-old outfielder is having a very good year for the Astros.

According to multiple reports, the Philadelphia Phillies are trading for Hunter Pence. While the deal isn't official, it is expected to be officially announced soon. In return, the Houston Astros are said to be receiving four minor league prospects.

The 28-year-old outfielder is having a very good year for the Astros.

All eyes were on Carlos Beltran in his first game as a member of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants, who traded for Carlos Beltran hours earlier, were taking on the Philadelphia Phillies in a battle of the two best teams in the National League.

Carlos Beltran was silent in his Giants debut.

All eyes were on Carlos Beltran in his first game as a member of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants, who traded for Carlos Beltran hours earlier, were taking on the Philadelphia Phillies in a battle of the two best teams in the National League.

Carlos Beltran was silent in his Giants debut.

[UPDATE: "Due to the heat, sealed water bottles are permitted for tonight's match." - Philadelphia Union"]

Here's all of the relevant information for Philadelphia Union (or Real Madrid) fans for tonight's game at Lincoln Financial Field...

There will be three events tonight. The Philadelphia Phillies are playing at 4:10 tonight, Rihanna is at the Wells Fargo Center at 7:30 and then the Union and Madrid at 9.

Tonight, the New England Revolution will take on the Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium. It's a battle of basement versus best, as the Revs sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table while the Union currently reside at the top.

Due to time constraints, I'll get right to the Q&A. Today's is with Scott Kessler of The Brotherly Game, SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog.

Tonight, the New England Revolution will take on the Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium. It's a battle of basement versus best, as the Revs sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table while the Union currently reside at the top.

Due to time constraints, I'll get right to the Q&A. Today's is with Scott Kessler of The Brotherly Game, SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog.

Okay, yeah, Real Madrid. I can see that. AC Milan...they're in the conversation, no question.
But other than that, we pretty much saw the two most annoying teams Europe had to offer. And, therefore, the world, because Europe would never dream of there being a category in soccer they didn't dominate.

Below is a poll to gauge the interest of our readers in both scarves that we will be selling, and a viewing party for an away game. July 17 and Aug 20 are the possible dates for the viewing party. Both of the games are away games that are at night and do not conflict with a Philadelphia Phillies home game.

(h/t @VDub2174)

The BIMBO Bear is tired of people not pronouncing his company's name correctly, shown here in a doctored photo of one of the BIMBO billboards on I-95 and various locations in Philadelphia

While the Union have gained enough internet media popularity to have spawned two fake Twitter accounts, the team has yet to find itself with anyone who covers the team quite like The Fightins or I Want To Go To The Zoo With Roy do with the Philadelphia Phillies.

[EDIT: Mike Schmidt's number was 20, which is the reason why the Union's Ruiz did not receive a jersey with 20 on it. The Phillies retired 20.]

When it was suggested over Twitter, people didn't know what to make of it, but apparently Carlos Ruiz meeting Carlos Ruiz in person didn't destroy the world.

Jeremy Sharpe, whose mustache began the push towards 'Stache Bash, has provided a full update of what will be happening this Saturday on his blog. The Sons of Ben tailgate will have all of the 'Stache Bash events, which can be found by heading to the location denoted by the picture to the right.

6abc will cover the event and there may be appearances from some well known local celebrities and maybe an appearance by people related to the Philadelphia Union.

By Neil W. Blackmon This is the fifth piece of a seven-part series highlighting the most intriguing subplots of the 2011 MLS campaign. Our other MLS preview pieces are linked below: Number 7: Omar Bravo: Next Designated Player to Fail, or is Sporting KC the place for a revival? MLS Eastern Conference Preview: Five Most [.

From the fingers of Jersha:

We are a few days away from watching our Philadelphia Union's first kick in Houston, and a little over one week away from our home opener and first tailgate of the 2011 season. As our tailgate crew works diligently behind the scenes, our ‘Stache Bash crew has been working hard finalizing everything for the Bash.

Spring Training is here. That means baseball is around the corner. It also means we need to post our MLB Power Rankings of the best teams in baseball. Yeah, it's early. That said, chances are good that the 2011 World Series champion will be in the group below. Without further ado, here are our MLB Power Rankings of the best ten teams in baseball:

1.

Spring Training is here. That means baseball is around the corner. It also means we need to post our MLB Power Rankings of the best teams in baseball. Yeah, it's early. That said, chances are good that the 2011 World Series champion will be in the group below. Without further ado, here are our MLB Power Rankings of the best ten teams in baseball:

1.

Previously in our series on the other supporters groups we talked two groups immediately located on either side of the River End and one within the River End. Today we talk to Benjamin Bedard of the Bridge Crew, a group located in the opposite end of PPL Park in sections 120 and 121. Location is everything when it comes to what is or is not generally acceptable in how fans can demonstrate their support for the Union.

The Texas Rangers enter the 2010 MLB season as the reigning champions of the American League. However, don't think that will start their rivals from talking trash. Last year, the Rangers got help from the league while their ownership issues were ironed out. That league aid miffed a number of ballclubs, most notably the New York Yankees.