SoccerBlogs

The Union won on Saturday, so why aren't the excitement levels higher? Conor O'Grady explores.

Saturday is Star Wars theme night at PPL Park. PSP talks to Cara Joftis, the Union's vice president for marketing, about how the promotion came about.

PPL Park expansion talk is back in the news. Conor O'Grady hopes talk of more suites, club seats, and a restaurant takes means the Union doesn't forget the populism that was behind the founding of the club.

In an wide-ranging exclusive interview, Philadelphia Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz tells PSP that Freddy Adu was never asked to take a pay cut and has turned down transfer offers from five countries. He also addresses PPL Park expansion, the Nowak controversy and more.

PSP has player ratings and analysis from Saturday's game, along with video of postgame interviews from the locker room and manager's press conference.

Philadelphia Union pulled into second place with a 1-0 win over New England at PPL Park. PSP has the recap and video highlights.

Philadelphia's largest adult amateur soccer league opens its season on Saturday, with 17 matches on the schedule, as teams compete for what could be the right to play their league final at PPL Park.

One Union fan traces out his excited lead-up to opening day, laying out the good, the bad, and ... the familiar.

One Union fan traces out his excited lead-up to opening day, laying out the good, the bad, and ... the familiar.

Mark Geiger, everyone's favorite referee, to officiate Union season opener. U-20s underwhelm in win. More Centennial kit pics, Goal-line technology approved for 2014 World Cup. How to spot a fixed soccer game. More news.

PSP talks to two of Bearfight Brigade's founders, Jeremy Sharp and Justin Lee. The name may come from a drinking game but they're as serious about creating unity among supporters and engaging in charitable efforts as they are about having a good time.

Report says Deportivo Cali interested in Valdes. 2013 schedule breakdown. "Is it March Yet" vid. NWSL release allocation list. Kids score amazing goal. More morning news.

Here is the Best of 2012, as voted by the PSP crew.

Nowak blowing up the Union for Controversy of the Year. Three Union academy players named NSCAA Youth All-Americans. More news.

The Union's preseason picture clearer with release of Disney Pro Soccer Classic schedule. ESPN tips PPL Park to host WC qualifier. Rafa Marquez leaves NYRB. More news.

Today is PSP's third birthday. Here's a look back at our third year: the new, good, bad, funny, and future.

Should the Union bring Le Toux back? Conor O'Grady explains why the answer is yes.

Union name Ricardo Ansaldi as new director of international player development. Hackworth on offseason training stints abroad. PPL to host Big East championship this weekend. More news.

Photo: Earl Gardner Philadelphia Union Kerith Gabriel reports that PPL Park was not damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The final Castrol Index of the regular season is out and Jack McInerney finished 13th—13th!—in the league. The top five Union players on the list include Zac MacMath (No. 81), Amobi Okugo (No.

USMNT news ahead of this evening's big qualifier. Union playing for the fans. PPL Park ranked third best MLS stadium. More news.

Some see the Union's third season as a failure. But Tim Carr thinks the tough season has only brought Union fans closer together.

Orlando's mayor will visit PPL Park this weekend as her city considers building a soccer-specific stadium for a prospective MLS club. She'll get a complex view in Philadelphia, and if MLS officials are smart, they'll look at the complex view cities like Orlando offer.

One fan talks about the joys of traveling into someone else's house and giving them hell. He may not make the best house guest, but it's a recipe for great soccer fandom.

The game belonged to DeRo, Wondo, Pontius, DeMerit and Beckham. The day belonged to PPL Park, Philadelphia, and Chester. PSP shares five thoughts on Wednesday's All-Star Game.

Philly fans have two opportunities to show the world how great the Union's support is with the Aston Villa friendly and All-Star Game.

Given the team is showing some signs of life, a father takes a half step back to view game day through the eyes of a child.

A healthy Philadelphia Union, firing on all cylinders, coming together as a team and fulfilling the potential that was fast becoming a poor booby prize in place of results, was a sight to behold. Even without the loved and lost, even with a shite record behind them and uncertainty in front of them, when it came through, it came through with a vengeance.

Just as they did for the home game against our other (more hated, less dignified, barely supported) major rival, the Union truly and fully showed up to PPL Park and gave DC United something to think about- for a while at least. Running the pitch and ceaselessly molesting DC's third for long stretches of the game, the Union looked like it might just dig deep enough to unearth some gold for a beleaguered but hopeful.

Photo: Earl Gardner

There will be dribbling contest for boys and girls aged 6-11 at halftime during Saturday's Philadelphia Union match against DC United at PPL Park.

Five kids will be selected to show off their dribbling skills. Those who have entered the contest but were not selected can enjoy an ice cream party on the sidelines while the contest is taking place.

Photo: Earl Gardner

Philadelphia Union

You can follow all of the action from tonight's friendly between Harrisburg City Islanders and the Philadelphia Union with a live chat from HersheyPark hosted by PSP's Eli Pearlman-Storch. The chat starts at 6:45pm.

Brian Carroll says of tonight's friendly, "I am not sure who we plan on playing and who they plan on playing, but all I know is, no matter what, it's going to be a tough-fought game, both in the friendly and when we play them in the Open Cup.

As I'm often inclined to say as an employee of both the public school system and a particularly rowdy shore bar... it's never boring. If you like high drama, this year's Union is the MLS team for you. The average fan wouldn't have thought that Le2-gate and its attendant fallout was only the beginning of a long and crazy journey.

Photo: Earl Gardner

EDITOR'S NOTE: We asked you for people interested in writing about local fans' experiences, and so many of you responded that we decided to run one fan post a day during the MLS break and then make this a regular weekly feature. We're starting with this great piece from Chris Rudderow.

The Philadelphia Union has issued a traffic advisory for Saturday's game against DC United.

Those traveling via Route 291 will encounter lane reductions from Rainey Street to the entrance ramp for Route 95. With increased traffic from an anticipated standing room only crowd, combined with many who may be leaving for the game later than usual because of Saturday's final Group A matches in Euro 2012, congestion and delays can be expected.

Hackworth says why disrupt Casey-Mac partnership when its working so well. Union officials to talk PPL expansion. Klinsmann says Donovan USA return not a sure thing. FIFA general secretary says democracy makes things hard. More news.

West Chester United defeats United German Hungarians in the Eastern PA US Open Cup qualification final. More bits of Union, local, MLS, NWSL, US and other news.

PSP photographer Paul Rudderow was on hand for a hard fault match between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen in Sunday's inaugural Army-Navy Cup at PPL Park.

Estrellas MLS 3 2 Chelsea FC WONDOLOWSKY 21´   Terry 32´ PONTIUS 73´          Lampard 58´ JOHNSON 91´ El Seleccionado Estrellas de la MLS venció esta noche 3-2 al Chelsea FC con un gol en tiempo de descuento de Eddie JOHNSON, el delantero Sounders que había entrado [...]

As the regular season winds down for Reading United, Reading's Kyle McCarthy talks about his club preparing for this weekend's big games, practicing at PPL Park, and trying to survive off the field in a ... minimalist way.