Photo: Michael Long

Before I get too far into discussing the decision of WPS to cancel the 2012 season, let me say that my initial reaction when the news first broke was that I was simply gutted. Gutted for every fantastic person I've met covering the Independence and women's soccer in general.

Photo: Earl Gardner

Philadelphia Union

MLS is scheduled to release the 2012 schedule today at 2pm. We'll post the Union schedule as soon as it is available.

Who will the Union play in their home opener? After using some logic based on what schedule details are already known (the Union open the season at Portland on March 12, play in Chicago on March 24, play in Toronto on May 26 and September 15 while playing host to Toronto on July 7), The Goalkeeper writes, "I would not be surprised if it is against the New York Red Bulls, the Houston Dynamo or David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Union

Today is Roster Freeze Day in MLS and at 5pm the final Philadelphia Union roster for the remainder of the season must be submitted to the league. Will there be any surprises?

How did some of the Union players react to the shambles that was the 2–2 draw between Columbus and Houston on Wednesday night?

Hey everyone, there's a hurricane coming. Your game is probably cancelled today. Track the storm here.

In case you're the rare ticket-holder who doesn't know, Sunday's Philadelphia Union match is postponed till Sept. 7.

The Philadelphia Independence are still on today at 4 p.m. for the WPS title game against the Western New York Flash.

Union

So, no Union game on Sunday because of Hurricane Irene. What's a Philly soccer fan supposed to do? Support the Independence in Saturday's WPS Championship Final (CSN, 4pm), that's what.

Looking at the title of Kerith Gabriel's excellent piece in today's Daily News, "Union's youth has not been served," it would be easy to expect a rant about how some deserving young players on the Union roster are not getting enough playing time.

Union

The Union went down two goals in the first half of Wednesday night's friendly against Harrisburg City Islanders before answering with five second half goals to finish 5–3. Tweets from fans at the game say that Peter Nowak made the starting XI—MacMath; Williams, Miglioranzi, Califf, G. Farfan; Okugo, Adu, Daniel, Le Toux; Paunovic, Mwanga—run laps after the first half.

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.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Union

Peter Nowak on Saturday's crucial match in Columbus: "I think Columbus will be one of those games that [a challenge] will come our way and we have to grab one point or three points and have to make the best of it."

Danny Califf calls the match "a six pointer," adding, "It's the most important game of the season so far.

Union

Four days remain until the close of the transfer window...

The Union will host its first Supporters Summit on Wednesday, August 17 with Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz, Peter Nowak, Faryd Mondragón and MLS Commissioner Don Garber answering questions. If, as Sakiewicz said, "hearing from a wider audience than usual" is the reason for the summit, the fact that only registered members of the Sons of Be will be allowed to attend is rather mystifying, particularly if topics for discussion will include "the Union's style of play, the League schedule, game-day experience, ticketing, stadium expansion, single table alignment and playoff structure.

Sunday's match, the last home game of the regular season, was Fan Appreciation Night.

Tasha Kai once again proved why she is essential to this team, scoring the first goal...

...with this shot over Sky Blue's keeper, Jenni Branam.

photo by Michael Long

A stoppage time goal from Lianne Sanderson kept the Independence in the race for a first place finish in WPS on Sunday night at Widener University. Tasha Kai gave Philly the lead on 17 minutes with a wonderful strike from distance only to see her opener cancelled out seven minutes later by an Eniola Aluko goal.

Photo: Mike Long

Vero Boquete scored the only goal in the Philadelphia Independence 1–0 win over Atlanta on Sunday night. It was her third game winning goal in the last four games, and with it the Independence secured at least a second place finish in WPS. A season high, 4,000 people were on hand as Philadelphia welcomed the bottom team in WPS to Widener University

The match was the first at home for the Independence's USWNT players Lori Lindsey, Amy Rodriguez and Nicole Barnhart since the end of the Women's World Cup.

Photo: Michael Long

Did you buy a ticket for the Independence match against Atlanta on Sunday after seeing some of the Women's World Cup? Or are you just making it down to Widener University for the first time? Here's what you've missed so far during Philadelphia's 2011 campaign:

Early season unevenness.

Photo: Michael Long

After winning six straight matches to take the top spot in the WPS table, the Independence traveled to New Jersey on Saturday night and played one of their worst games of the season. After a listless first half, Casey Nogueira netted a second half brace to give Sky Blue the 2–0 victory.

As a lot of you probably saw on Wednesday night, a few players from the Independence made their way down to the Union game against Everton. In fact, Lianne Sanderson probably should have suited up for the Toffees, but that's a different story.

Tasha Kai and Val Henderson were there, banging the drum in the River End.

Union

A very hearty thank you and big congratulations to Kyle Nakazawa for his wonderfully successful Team Dinner charity event on Thursday night in support of autism awareness. The PSP had the pleasure of dining with Amobi Okugo, one of the many Union players who made the time to support the event.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Union

Some tweets:

Tim Cahill: "Wow that was Hot out there, Philly crowd were awesomeand it was a tough game. Great to be back in the Blue kit.#thankstotheEFCfans"

Phil Neville: "I'd love to play an MLS team in october/november when we r fit cause every year the standard keeps getting better and the stadiums r nice!

USWNT

Abby Wambach says the US is ready to face Japan.

The USA v France Women's World Cup semifinal was the fourth most watched USWNT match ever. An average of 3.35 million people watched the match on ESPN, another 450,000 on ESPN3. Philly was not one of the top-five markets for that or any of the games.

Union

CSN is going to show the Union's match against Everton but the showdown with Real Madrid gets the ESPN Deportes and ESPN3.

The Union's Kevin Kinkead breaks down the team's performance using MLS Chalkboards.

Mark your calendars: The Union are traveling to Harrisburg in August to face the City Islanders!

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.

Tasha Kai scored a hat trick against her former team and Laura Del Rio scored a 78th minute winner with her first touch of the game as the Independence twice came from behind to knock off New Jersey based Sky Blue FC. The win moves Philadelphia to the top of the WPS table for the first time in team history.

cover photo by Michael Long

The Independence downed Florida for the second consecutive week at Quick Stadium on the campus of Widener University. Philadelphia dominated the game much like they did last week, but unlike last week, their finishing could be described as sub par as they only found the net three times compared to six last week.

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).

The Philadelphia Independence rolled into Rochester, New York to become the first team to defeat the Flash all season. A 90th minute goal by Danesha Adams was a moment of brilliance in a sloppy game, void of many chances.

Paul Riley continued to tinker with his starting XI, putting out an offensive line up to challenge New York, who were without some key contributors to their victory in Philadelphia just two weeks ago.

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.

Photo: Courtesy Philadelphia Union

Union

Who needs a happy thought for a Monday morning?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Peter Nowak on the Union's 1–1 draw with Colorado: "We were a little disappointed not to get three points. But you cannot be too greedy coming here.

The Independence wasted Meghan Rapinoe's early first half goal and were defeated 2-1 by the Western New York Flash on Sunday evening at Widener University. Rapinoe struck after just 9 minutes before Becky Edwards and Marta answered back for the undefeated Flash before half time.

Philadelphia coach Paul Riley started the game with Amy Rodriguez as a lone striker, possibly trying to cope with New York's dynamic attack.

Featured photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Union

Two goals. Two sweet goals. A win. First place in the East.

Top of the morning to you!

On Saturday, Carlos Ruiz learned that he has been called up for the Guatemalan national team squad for the Gold Cup, which runs June 5 through June 25 with Guatemala's first game on June 7.

Players from all six WPS teams as well as Boston Breakers' Leslie Osborne representing PUMA's Project Pink unveiled the new 2011 WPS uniforms