Photo: Paul Rudderow

If you haven’t done so already, please make your selections in our inaugural postseason readers poll. We’re planning to post an article on the results of the poll next week and want to make sure you’ve had a chance to register your opinion.

Philadelphia Union

In a Spanish language report from WinSports (crappy Google translation here), Independiente Santa Fe president César Pastrana says the club wants to buy the rights to Carlos Valdes “in installments.”

“There is an option to purchase in December,” said Pastrana, “and we are looking for negotiations to pay in installments.”

Valdes’ value is put at $1.5 million in the report, which also says that if Santa Fe cannot reach a deal to buy the central defender, it will ask for his loan to be extended.

The Union selected midfielder Corben Bone in the first stage of the Re-entry Draft on Thursday. Checkout PSP’s analysis of Bone’s selection and other moves from around the league in the draft.

More on Bone’s selection from Philly.com, CSN Philly, and the Brotherly Game.

In his look at the personal rivalry that will be in play between Darius Madison (Virginia) and Zack Steffen (Maryland) in tonight’s College Cup semifinal at PPL Park, Dave Zeitlin writes, “Madison and Steffen both played together for the Philadelphia Union youth academy and are now probably the two most likely players to sign the next Homegrown contract with the Union.”

At the Delco Times, Zac MacMath talks to Matthew De George about Steffen playing at Maryland, where the Union goalie also played in college. “I like to think I had a little influence on him going to Maryland, and it looks like it turned out to be pretty cool decision. He’s in a similar position that I was in. He’s played most of the games this season, he’s obviously learned a lot and he’s still learning. For him to make the final four in his freshman year is big for him. It’s big for it to happen in his hometown, in front of his family and friends, maybe in front of his future employer.”

At the Daily News, Kerith Gabriel notes that Maryland’s Alex Shinsky (York, Pa.) also has spent time in the Union Academy system.

Another player with local roots will be playing for Notre Dame against New Mexico in tonight’s other semifinal. Defender Andrew O’Malley, a native of West Chester, was a three-time Delaware state Champion at Wilmington’s Salesianum School and a two-time Delaware Player of the Year. O’Malley tells Andy Jasner, “It’s pretty special to be playing at PPL Park. To be near where I played in high school and to have so many friends and family at the game is a great thing for me. I’m excited about the whole situation. It’s going to be exciting. It’s something I know that I will cherish and I know we’ll do everything in our power to keep winning and moving on…I follow the Union and keep a close look at what they’re doing. I think for all of us, playing in MLS is a major goal down the road. We all want to be playing in that league and playing at that level.”

Previews of Notre Dame vs New Mexico (5 pm, ESPNU) from NCAA.com, MLSsoccer.com, and Soccer America. Previews of Maryland vs. Virginia (7:30pm, ESPNU) from NCAA.com, MLSsoccer.com, and Soccer America. The winners will face off in the final on Sunday at 3 pm (ESPNU).

New Mexico senior defender Kyle Venter digs PPL Park.

The AP on the frigid conditions for tonight’s games.

Local

Reading United has named Wyomissing’s Andrew Miller and Oley Valley’s Marcus Frangakis as its inaugural High School Boys’ Co-Players of the Year. Twin Valley’s Taylor Jamison has been named High School Girls’ Player of the Year.

MLS

MLSsoccer.com reviews the selections in the first stage of the Re-entry Draft, including Portland picking Steve Zakuani, and DC picking Sean Franklin and Bobby Boswell.

Portland got Zakuani thanks to a trade minutes before the draft with Chivas USA that got them the second pick in the draft and midfielder/defender Jorge Villafaña in exchange for center back Andrew Jean-Baptiste.

Bobby Convey will play for the New York Red Bulls in 2014. I think I feel a little sick.

Seattle have acquired Chad Marshall from Columbus in exchange for allocation money and a third round SuperDraft pick.

It’s official: The opponent in the 2014 All-Star Game will be Bayern Munich. The game will be played on Aug. 6 at Portland’s JELD-WEN Field.

Former Union goalkeeper Brad Knighton talks about his return to the New England Revolution.

Portland’s Will Johnson has been named the Canadian Soccer Association Male Player of the Year.

Sporting Kansas City’s Matt Besler will be married this weekend. Sporting Kansas City fans apparently got hold of the Kansas City-area native’s wedding registry and just about bought everything on it.

Is Genoa striker Alberto Gilardino reconsidering the reported move to Toronto FC?

NWSL

The league has announced its ninth club and first expansion team, the Houston Dash, which is owned and operated by the Houston Dynamo and will play at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dash are the second NWSL team backed by a MLS team, the first being the Portland Thorns, which is owned and operated by the Portland Timbers.

More on the news from the Houston Dynamo, the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Business Journal, MLSsoccer.com, The Equalizer, ProSoccerTalk, and SBI. More from the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Business Journal on the announcement of the team’s name and logo.

US

On Thursday, US Soccer announced that Jurgen Klinsmann had signed a contract extension that will see him coach the USMNT through 2018. The deal also sees Klinsmann named US Soccer’s Technical Director. More on the news from SI, ESPN, ASN, MLSsoccer.com, ProSoccerTalk, Soccer America, Goal.com, SBI, New York Times, LA Times, Deadspin, Reuters, UPI, and the AP.

You can watch a livestream of the US U-17 BNT playing their Brazilian counterparts today at 5 pm at US Soccer.com.

Elsewhere

Looks like Germany is building its own hotel and training camp in Brazil for the World Cup.

Tests show Brazuca apparently will not be as knucklebally as the Jabulani was.

Officials in Brazil say the stadium in Cuiaba is running late but will be ready in time for test events in late February. However, the 13 miles of new tram lines to help fans move around the city and to the stadium will not be completed in time.

ProSoccerTalk wraps up where things currently stand in the Europa League.

Reuters reports, “Barcelona have agreed a sponsorship deal said to be worth £15.3m with Intel under which the chipmaker’s logo will be printed on the inside of players’ shirts.”

UEFA is working on an eleven-point plan to address match-fixing.

Checkout the latest Footy on the Telly for the week’s upcoming live games on TV, online, and on satellite radio.