Seattle

The Sounders-Timbers match will have quite the lead-up on May 27, with FOX set to broadcast Chelsea-Arsenal FA Cup Final live prior to the first kick of Sounders-Timbers.

Osvaldo Alonso has cemented his place in the pantheon of MLS defensive midfielders, and, so far this season, has continued to stave off father time.

Despite the tough result this weekend, Sounders matches against Toronto FC will always be special to Sounders players; particularly Stefan Frei.

In Seattle taproom news, it looks like South Park will get Burdick Brewery up and running as early as mid-June.

Mercer Island resident Dilon Spahia is the latest youth talent to join the Sounders Discovery Program.

MLS

MLSsoccer.com checked in with the Vancouver Whitecaps’ one-man supporter section for their Friday evening match at Colorado.

There has been a culture in MLS centered around developing in-house coaching candidates, but incumbent coaches getting the benefit of the doubt may be a tired trend at this point.

Sporting Kansas City defender Ike Opara is making a strong case for a USA call-up.

Toronto FC put on a glittering performance versus the Sounders, with a variety of depth players shining in the MLS Cup rematch spotlight. Along with this strong performance, Michael Bradley also paid tribute to the Reds’ mental toughness.

When looking at the latest average of Power Rankings, Orlando is maintaining their momentum, but not enough to displace FC Dallas from the top spot.

It’s becoming more apparent that Aron Johannson will be making a move away from the Bundesliga (and potentially to MLS), but it’s now also becoming apparent that Dilly Duka could be on the move as well.

Two Columbus Crew fans got an assist from a Crew SC legend during their pre-match proposal.

USA

US Soccer has a good problem to have in determining how to spend a surplus of at least $100 million, but the simple solutions don’t appear to be what they seem.

On the heels of a 3-0 victory vs. Honduras, the USA U17 Men’s team has qualified for 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup!

Unfortunately, they weren’t quite able to finish off the U17 CONCACAF championship, losing to Mexico 1-1 (5-4) in penalties.

Following a brutal foul on a New York Red Bulls II player last year, Romeo Parkes has returned to his former club, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds - Once A Metro.

California is adding another professional soccer team to the state after the USL approved Fresno’s expansion bid. This comes on the heels of another strong development in California professional soccer, with Orange County SC opening a new home venue.

Nashville SC has strengthened their ownership group, following one owner acquiring the majority of their shares.

Fox Sports 1 will televise USMNT U-20 World Cup matches.

The NWSL represents a unique opportunity for A&E Network via an equity deal between the league and the network.

The World

After the appeals committee concluded there was insufficient evidence to maintain the ban, Lionel Messi’s has had his four-game Argentina ban lifted.

Sulley Muntari was subjected to a horrible display of racism this week, which puts a damper on the credibility of European soccer’s sanctions against racism. With the controversy continuing, Muntari told BBC sport that his fellow teammate Godfred Donsah will strike in solidarity.

The latest layoffs from ESPN bring forth a lot of questions on the future of sports journalism.

The Canadian Premier League can now begin preparing for its inaugural season, after it was unanimously ratified by CSA.

Liverpool skipper Jurgen Klopp had a lot to say following his side’s draw, a lot of which focused on technical failures of the field, rather than the players on it.