Major Link Soccer: Tim Howard debuts for the Rapids

MLS

MLSsoccer's Matthew Doyle commemorates the opening of the summer transfer window with his wishlist for each team in MLS; Seattle's need for midfield creativity is glaring.

LA's Nigel De Jong predictably got a red card last night for this awful challenge on Blas Perez, meaning he'll miss the Galaxy's ESPN matchup with the Sounders on Saturday. Meanwhile, Kendall Waston escaped punishment for this similarly awful tackle on Alan Gordon.

Tim Howard made his return to MLS last night, debuting as a Rapid in their 0-0 draw at home against Portland. The Timbers failed to test Howard in the first half, ultimately only forcing him into two saves all night. You can see the former USMNT #1 goalkeeper's highlights on the night here:

USA

American Soccer Analysis has a new twist on expected goals: expected points, which tries to take into account game state and home/away circumstances.

This American Life had Malcolm Gladwell on to talk about the phenomenon of the "granny shot", a method of shooting that in some ways is more effective than the traditional jump shot but is also held back by a lack of social acceptance, concluding that aesthetics in sports matter more than we think.

World

Several clubs in La Liga, including Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, have been found guilty of receiving illegal financial aid from the Spanish government in the form of overcompensation for land and undeserved tax breaks, stirring controversy in a sluggish Spanish economy.

Soccer to Watch Today:

The UEFA Champions' League First Qualifying Round is today and there are a couple of games in Peru, good luck finding them though.