According to Director of Public Relations, Michael Preston, the Sixers have officially announced the signing of veteran big man, Francisco Elson.

With Spencer Hawes and Nikola Vucevic out with injury, and Marreese Speights shipped to Memphis earlier this season, the Sixers were in desperate need for a big man. Since Vooch went down with a leg injury against the Heat Tony Battie and Lavoy Allen have been receiving significant minutes in the front court, leaving the Sixers vulnerable on the glass, which explains the team’s abysmal rebounding numbers in Wednesday’s loss against the Nets.

The 2012 MLS All-Star game was awarded Tuesday to the Philadelphia Union, who will host the annual event July 25 at PPL Park. More >

Major League Soccer announced today that Philadelphia will be the host city for the 2012 MLS All-Star Game. The game will be played at the Philadelphia Union’s stadium, PPL Park, on July 25 at Chester, Pa. For the ninth time in MLS history the MLS all-stars will play an elite international club which will be announced at a later date. Last year the MLS All-Star team played Manchester United.

The game at PPL Park will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2, Galavision or Telefutura and in Canada on TSN and RDS.

One of the early surprises of the season, Philadelphia has thrived on lockdown defense and superior athleticism. That recipe might sound familiar to Miami fans.

“In many ways, when you see the Philadelphia 76ers, it’s like looking in a mirror,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “The athleticism, the speed, the activity they bring to the game. They brought virtually their entire core back and they seem much more comfortable.”

The New York Islanders finally left Philadelphia with a victory after four frustrating years and 13 consecutive losses. More >

On Tuesday evening, Phili Union forward Sébastien Le Toux informed his Twitter followers that he was “on a jet plane to England.” On Wednesday, it emerged that the trip was business, not personal, and that one of MLS’ top finishers might be leaving the league.

English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers has made an offer for Le Toux and Union officials are seriously considering accepting it, according to reports from Fox Soccer and the Philadelphia Daily News. Le Toux, 28, trained with Bolton on Wednesday and could be on the club’s books by the end of the week. Because he was born in France, Le Toux won’t need a UK work permit.