Puget Sound soccer

How Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer held his record-setting team together through dark times | The Seattle Times
Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer held a struggling 3-9-3 team together long enough to make a second-half run. Now, after a turnaround that's the greatest in league history, they have a first-round playoff bye and shot at a third straight MLS Cup title game.

STARS WELCOME BACK MICHAEL ARGUELLO - Tacoma Stars

MASL preview: Pacific Division | Soc Takes
This installment of our MASL season previews focuses on the Pacific Division and its four teams along the West Coast of the United States.

Puget Sound culture and news

Here’s Henry Cavill as Geralt in Netflix’s version of The Witcher - The Verge
Netflix has released the first look of Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia for its upcoming adaptation of The Witcher. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich is adapting Andrzej Sapkowski’s beloved fantasy novels for the streaming service.

Inside Renton’s new STEM-focused elementary school that is preparing students to fill job skills gap – GeekWire
As part of our GeekWire on the Road project in Renton this week, we got a tour of Sartori Elementary, a brand new STEM-focused school that opened last month.

TLDR: Could Renton become the next big tech hub of the Pacific Northwest? – GeekWire
This week, GeekWire has set up shop in Renton, Wash., bringing you stories of the city’s growth and the momentum of its tech scene from Oct. 28 through Nov. 3. In this episode of our TLDR video show, we caught up with GeekWire reporter Taylor Soper, who is leading our…

BBC America to make Discworld series, Laurence Fishburne to star in and produce UFO drama, more | SYFY WIRE
BBC America to make Discworld series, Laurence Fishburne to star in and produce UFO drama, more

MLS

Playoffs

Three stats to know after NYCFC's Knockout Round win against Union

Full Time: NYCFC 3 Philadelphia Union 1 - Brotherly Game
2018 ends with a second straight loss to the Pigeons at Yankee Stadium

10-man Portland Timbers advance to Conference Semifinal with 2-1 win over FC Dallas - Stumptown Footy
The Portland Timbers withstood a furious barrage from FC Dallas but held on to run out the 2-1 winners despite a second half red card.

RSL hoping decision to go young pays off in KO Round

RBNY's Luis Robles reveals he's been playing through partially torn ACL

Wiebe: Why your (playoff) team will lift the 2018 MLS Cup | MLSsoccer.com
Haters Will Say What are they even good at? Do they have an identity? Whoops, that was Bobby Warshaw circa four months ago. Don’t worry, he’s come around.

LAFC vs. Real Salt Lake: Three Questions - Angels on Parade
Playoff edition! Checking out the opponent before Thursday’s clash.

A history of expansion teams in the MLS playoffs - Angels on Parade
LAFC are looking for a successful playoff run as an expansion team. History shows how rare that is.

What RSL players could earn for making 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs - RSL Soapbox
Yet another entry in our MLS 101 educational series.

Playoff match preview: Real Salt Lake at LAFC - RSL Soapbox
RSL looks for a win on the road against a very good LAFC to advance to the next round of the 2018 MLS Playoffs.

General news

As 2018 concludes, details of Vancouver Whitecaps frustrations emerge

The Galaxy’s demise
All the Galaxy needed was a win against Houston to turn a season-long struggle into an MLS playoff spot, but once again the defense let them down.

LA Galaxy have Zlatan and are the most decorated club in MLS. So why did they miss the playoffs again?
No one has more MLS Cups than LA Galaxy, but for the second straight year, they've missed the playoffs. What's plaguing MLS' original glamour club?

NWSL and other women’s leagues

How The National Women's Soccer League Inspired LGBTQ Inclusion In Professional Sports
While certain pro sports teams have hosted Pride games for over a decade now, and others are now joining the push, the NWSL’s unique combination of visible campaigns as well as player advocacy sets it apart from other leagues.

USL and lower leagues

Orange County SC not able to host the 2018 USL Cup Final - Angels on Parade
Venue issues prevent team from hosting if they reach title game.

United States National Teams

U-19 WNT Kicks Off New Cycle with Pair of Matches in Netherlands - U.S. Soccer
Reign Academy's Sakura Yoshida called up for the U-19 matches.

World soccer

Joevin ready to represent T&T again, available for Iran friendly - Wired868

Photos: Best of soccer stars' Halloween costumes, from Ronaldo to ... Thor?
Plenty of athletes and their families dressed up for Halloween on Wednesday, and the soccer world was no exception.

Football at war with itself: Why the upcoming FIFA council could change the game forever
The FIFA Council meeting will discuss revamping the Club World Cup, but beneath the surface is a battle between FIFA and UEFA that could turn ugly.