Robbie Kruse sent a positive message to Australia coach Ange Postecoglou ahead of next week's 2018 World Cup playoff by scoring for a third game in succession for Vfl Bochum in the German second tier over the weekend.

Kruse grabbed the second goal in Bochum's 2-0 win with a composed finish from close range after a brilliant pass from Kevin Stoger.

After coming off the bench as the Socceroos beat Thailand 2-1 in Melbourne on Sept. 5, Kruse surely must now be pushing for a starting spot in a goal-starved...

The Philadelphia Union acquired left-back Giliano Wijnaldum -- the little brother of Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum -- as a discovery signing on Thursday.

Giliano Wijnaldum, 24, had been playing for second-tier club Bochum in Germany. Details of the transfer were not revealed.

The defender previously played for Union sporting director Earnie Stewart when the former U.S. international held the same position at AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.

OFFICIAL: Philadelphia Union Sign...

Bochum have hit out at Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben after he drew a red card and a penalty in Wednesday's DFB Pokal clash.

Pep Guardiola's Bayern triumphed 3-0 at the Ruhrstadion to set up a semifinal meeting with Werder Bremen.

Just before half-time, Robben fell to the ground inside the penalty box when substitute Jan Simunek, who had come on for Timo Perthel after a collision with Robben, tried to stop the Netherlands star from breaking clear towards goal.

Referee Bastian Dankert awarded...

Bayern Munich will host Werder Bremen in the semifinals of the DFB Pokal after easing past Bochum 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Robert Lewandowski was on target twice against the 2.Bundesliga side, whose hopes of pulling off a cup shock were effectively over at half-time after the Poland international's first goal was followed by a red card for Bochum's Jan Simunek.

Thomas Muller missed a penalty following Simunek's dismissal, but Bochum survived only until the hour mark before Thiago Alcantara doubled...

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola is expecting an "aggressive" Bochum side when they meet in the DFB Pokal on Wednesday.

Bayern won back-to-back DFB Pokals in 2013 and 2014, but last year, amid an injury-crisis, crashed out of the competition with a penalty shoot-out defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals.

Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso both slipped, while Mario Gotze and Manuel Neuer were also unable to convert from the spot against rivals Dortmund.

This week, Bochum host...