Major Link Soccer: Espindola refuses Vancouver move

MLS

The Whitecaps' acquisition of Fabian Espindola for GAM from DC United last week made a lot of sense following DP striker Octavio Rivero's move to Chile. However, Espindola is refusing to report to Vancouver due to concerns over moving his family to another country and the likely short amount of time he would actually stay a Whitecap.

Timbers defender Nat Borchers revealed the news of his injury suffered last weekend against LA: the 12-year MLS veteran's season is over and will undergo surgery to repair his ruptured left Achilles tendon.

Fox 12 Oregon highlighted and interviewed hometown commentator John Strong this week, tracing his career from his beginnings at Lake Oswego H.S. and the University of Oregon to his current status as one of the top American voices in soccer.

NWSL

The NWSL has a serious PR problem, and the constant cycle of league missteps and players' social media grievances makes solving the problem that much more tense.

USA

The Tampa Bay Rowdies clearly feel aggrieved by the string of poor officiating luck they've been experiencing this year, culminating in the club's CEO releasing a statement saying that their fans deserve better, including a 7 minute YouTube reel of the various decisions against them.

American Soccer Analysis has come up with an Expected Pass Completion model that seeks to contextualize passing completion; Seattle's midfield trio of Ossie Alonso, Erik Friberg, and Cristian Roldan all rate as Top 20 in MLS by their metric.

Soccer to Watch Today:

Friendly - Milton Keynes Dons vs Everton - 11:45am (ESPN3)

Copa MX - Guadalajara vs Chiapas - 4:55pm (Univision Deportes)

Copa MX - Atlante vs León - 6:50pm (ESPN Deportes)

Copa MX - América vs Mineros de Zacatecas - 6:55pm (Univision Deportes)