Ever read those posts on SI.com, Fox Soccer, or ESPN.com with the "five thoughts about ..." and then, well, lo and behold, they offer you five random thoughts about a topic?

Yeah, I always thought they were mailing it in too, too rushed or whatever to come up with a lede, coherent structure for the column, etc.

All of at the PSP hope that all of you, yours and all of your stuff made it through Hurricane Irene safe and sound.

RSL's Kyle Beckerman will not join the US team for the Costa Rica friendly on Friday but will stay in Salt Lake City for Saturday's match against the Union.

With the rescheduled New England game meaning the Union will play three games in seven days—Real Salt Lake (A), New England (H) and Portland (H)—Chris Vito writes in the Delco Times that it is time for the Union to get some points.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

The Faryd Mondragon/David Beckham connection continues after the MLS All-Stars 4–0 defeat to Manchester United. In Soccer America's player ratings for Wednesday night's All-Star Game, Mondragon's "6″ is the highest rating received, with only Beckham and Jamison Olave sharing that number.

Ahead of Saturday's game in Vancouver, Kevin Kinkead presents another excellent scouting report.

In the Goal.com head-to-head preview, the Philly guy sees the Union winning 2-1, the Vancouver sees the Whitecaps winning 2-1. The sport betting website SBRforum.com predicts a 2–1 win for the Union.

From the Union website, this piece details Chris Agorsor's road to recovery from a devastating injury. Agorsor grew up playing with Zach MacMath and has long known Sheanon Williams. Coming from just outside of Baltimore, Agorsor says he never wanted to play for DC United. He says Baltimore "is a lot more similar to Philly than to DC.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Match Fit USA has gotten its hands on a copy of the GQ UK issue that features the Sons of Ben. Apparently, it isn't very complimentary: "Americans, he tells GQ UK's football savvy readers over the course of a few pages, are poseurs." MFUSA uses the GQ UK piece to do a fine job of both analyzing and defending the emerging and still developing supporters group culture in the US.