Tuesday Afternoon Union Freekicks: Your Chance to Meet the 2011 Union!

Tonight, Philadelphia Union fans can meet their favorite players as the team hosts a rescheduled version of the Meet the Players event. It will take place at PPL Park's Stadium Club between 7-9 PM. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, because once a certain capacity of people is filled, no further fans will be allowed entry. Who will be heading down to Chester?

In other news, the Union is continuing its preparations for the home opener against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Whitecaps opened their season on Saturday with a 4-2 win over Canadian rivals Toronto FC. Here are some stories to whet your appetite on this windy Tuesday afternoon, and be sure to use this as your daily discussion thread. For those wondering, the next installment in our new Home Grown Hopefuls series will drop later today.

PBPP: Newcomers Play A Key Role in Opening Night Triumph [JP Dellacamera - philadelphiaunion.com] The Union's play-by-play announcer continues his regular column on the team website by examining the impact that the four new members of the Union's starting lineup had on the game in Houston.

Faces of First Kick: Danny Califf [Dave Zeitlin - MLSsoccer.com] The former Daily Local News sports editor profiles the former Union captain, whose goal gave the Union all three points against the Dynamo.

Steve Nash Pumps Up Whitecaps Crowd, Is Awesome: Video [Kevin McCauley - The Allocation Order] Anyone who hasn't seen this video must do so immediately. A really cool moment from the Phoenix Suns point guard.

Goal.com MLS Rankings: Week 1 [Kyle McCarthy - Goal.com] The prolific New England-based soccer journalist puts the Union at 8th in his power rankings following the team's opening game.

MLS Friendlies: Timbers To Play Ajax, DC United Sign Up Everton [Jeremiah Oshan - SBNation.com] The first summer friendlies are finally starting to be announced. Who would you like to see the Union take on at PPL Park?

German-born Chandler an intriguing USMNT newcomer [John Boschini - Soccer By Ives] Even though the U.S. men's national team's newest right back call-up can't even speak fluent English, he has American soccer fans excited about his dangerous runs up and down the right flank.