Major Link Soccer: Landon Donovan explains why he’s back, again

Seattle

The Times sent Geoff Baker down to Santa Tecla to cover the Sounders match, and he also spoke to locals who have persevered through devastating natural disasters. Sounders playing in Santa Tecla, El Salvador — a town once devastated by a landslide that killed 585 but is now brightened by soccer | The Seattle Times

Having seen career ups and downs from Chivas USA in 2009 to Santa Tecla captain, Gerson Mayen wants to use this CCL series to impress and bounce back to MLS. Meet Gerson Mayen: The SoCal-born Salvadoran looking to take down the Seattle Sounders | Goal.com

Major League Soccer

Patrick Vieira wants to sign Real Salt Lake’s breakout player Albert Rusnak. RSL says, (basically), “Yeah, you and everyone else in MLS.” NYCFC's Patrick Vieira wants to sign RSL's Albert Rusnak - source

Fans love influxes of Targeted Allocation Money, because it means MLS teams can afford more foreign talent. But is it effectively putting roadblocks in front of talented domestic players? Targeted Allocation Money is great for MLS, but maybe not for domestic players | FourFourTwo

Planet Fútbol TV discusses Champions League tournaments in two continents, including whether an MLS team can finally be champion of their region. Champions League, CCL, Man United vs Chelsea - Planet Futbol TV | SI.com

Polygon has a great feature on what MLS is up to with their expanding eSports efforts, and it goes beyond the eMLS Cup. How MLS is using FIFA 18 esports to reach the next generation of soccer fans - Polygon

United States

Landon Donovan doesn’t believe in walls. That’s why he doesn’t even have to run through them. He gave a wide-ranging interview on the Planet Fútbol podcast. Landon Donovan: USA legend on his return with Leon, USMNT future | SI.com

Speaking of the man who just can’t quit professional soccer, LD also says he wants to see an American as the next U.S. head coach. Landon Donovan wants American to be U.S. coach

World

Racial abuse of players in European stadiums is a serious problem without an easy fix, but there’s no question UEFA could and should be doing more. Michy Batshuayi latest to suffer racial abuse; will UEFA do something this time? - We Ain't Got No History

Euro 2016 featured plenty of violence between supporters, and now a Russian has been arrested for a vicious assault on an England fan. Euro 2016: Russian arrested over England fan attack - BBC News

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