Saturday Afternoon Union Freekicks: Dynamo Tonight

We're mere hours away from first kick of the Union's match against the Dynamo (8:00 PM, 6abc), so let's take a look at what is being said ahead of tonight. (And if you're not going down to PPL Park tonight, hope you can join us for our gamethread!) Today's open discussion thread for all things Union and MLS.

Union hosts Houston on short rest [Kerith Gabriel, Philadelphia Daily News] - Peter Nowak visited a Chicago hospital, where he was told that he won't need major surgery on "issues with his sciatic nerve pain he felt in his knees." He was still limping slightly as of late yesterday afternoon, but told a source, "that it would take a lot" for him to miss tomorrow's match.

Getting Back On Track - Union look to regain their mojo at PPL Park [Charles Cuttone, Philly Soccer News] - "We need to defend as a group, attack as a group, and I think if we do that, we have a chance to beat Houston and show our fans that we belong where we belong," said midfielder Brian Carroll.

Juergen Klinsmann will be in attendance at PPL Park [Steven Goff, Washington Post] - This is just a tweet from Goff, but it's news nonetheless.

Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo [Eli Pearlman-Storch, Philly Soccer Page] - Any time an old streak ends, a new one can begin and that is exactly what will be on the minds of the Union players when they square off against Houston this Saturday at PPL Park.

Houston Dynamo motivated by earlier loss to Union [Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer] - "I feel last time we outplayed them, but they scored the goal," Houston midfielder Brad Davis said in a phone interview. "We had tons of opportunities to score."

Klinsmann at last for U.S. Soccer [John Smallwood, Philadelphia Daily News] - So, yes, as a fan of U.S. soccer, I'm excited that Klinsmann, the German World Cup striker and coach turned Southern California dude, is finally the coach, following Bradley's firing last week. Not, however, as excited as I would have been 4 1/2 years ago.

Union better off without Ruiz [Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer] - A source says that Ruiz will be sold to a Mexican team (for a large fee) and that the Union plan to purchase a young international striker before the Aug. 14 transfer deadline. The Union will make another move with one of their own players, according to the source.