Seattle

Popular local drinking glass and votive maker glassybaby is known for its philanthropy. Tonight at 5pm Coach Brian Schmetzer will attend a free public release event for the company's new Sounders-themed "sea of green" benefiting the RAVE Foundation. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer to attend release of 2018 Sounders-themed glassybaby on Wednesday, March 28 | Seattle Sounders FC

The Oregonian features Sounders and USMNT legend Clint Dempsey on their list of “villains” who are “easy to hate if they aren’t suiting up for your favorite team.” Ozzie Alonzo also made their shortlist. What do you think? Clint Dempsey, Will Johnson and the other villains of Major League Soccer | OregonLive.com

With the upcoming match between Seattle and Montreal this weekend Mount Royal Soccer looks at “intimidating” Century Link field’s “spectacular” atmosphere and Montreal’s history playing here. Behind Enemy Lines: What Makes CenturyLink Field So Intimidating? - Mount Royal Soccer

On Monday we reported that the Sounders Academy U-17s advanced to the semifinals of the Generation adidas Cup, Premier Division. Here are some takeaways from the team's performance in the group stage. Seattle Sounders Academy impresses at Generation Adidas Cup, advances to semifinals of Premier Division | Seattle Sounders FC

Gustav Svensson starts for Sweden in friendly loss to Chile | Seattle Sounders FC
Gustav Svensson got important time and exposure in the lead up to the World Cup when he started and played a full 90 minutes in Sweden's 1-2 friendly loss to Chile. This was the midfielder's 11th cap with the Blågult.

The PRO assignments are out for MLS Week 5. Ismail Elfath will be the referee for the Sounders' upcoming matchup against the Montreal Impact. Edvin Jurisevic will be the VAR official. MLS Assignments: Week 5 | Professional Referee Organization

Seattle Housing Authority’s Yesler Redevelopment has been awarded the 2018 Urban Soccer Symposium Innovation Award from the U.S. Soccer Foundation for an imaginative approach and original programming to create positive social change in underserved communities, including collaborative efforts with RAVE Foundation and Sounders FC to integrate soccer into the cultural framework of the historic downtown Seattle neighborhood. Seattle Housing Authority's Yesler redevelopment wins 2018 Urban Soccer Symposium Innovation Award from U.S. Soccer Foundation | Seattle Sounders FC

The Seattle Reign topped the NWSL power rankings for week 1 after their opening win over the Washington Spirit. Week 1 Power Rankings | NWSL

Seattle Reign midfielder and Wales International Jess Fishlock "does not get the recognition she deserves", according to Wales women's team manager Jayne Ludlow. Wales women: Jess Fishlock under-appreciated - boss Jayne Ludlow | BBC Sport

MLS

LAFC are continuing to build their roster in advance of their home opener against the Sounders, adding Young Designated Player Andre Horta from Benfica. LAFC Signs Midfielder André Horta As Designated Player | Los Angeles Football Club

In the short term, the Horta signing should make teams worried about LAFC continuing to strengthen a formidable roster. In the long term, though, they should thank LAFC for taking a big swing at a wall every team wants to break down — between MLS and elite European teams. Warshaw: Andre Horta and LAFC's big swing at the Europe-MLS divide | MLSsoccer.com

Zlatan Ibrahimović will “quite possibly” debut vs. LAFC says Sigi Schmid | LAG Confidential For people wondering whether (and when) The Zlatan would be ready to play for LA Galaxy, the answer appears to he’ll be playing ASAP. Coach Sigi Schmid says that the debut will “quite possibly” be against LAFC this weekend!

USA

The Armchair Analyst gave his takeaways from the USMNT 1-0 win in their friendly last night against Paraguay. Bottom line: the team beat a weak opponent and still has a long way to go. Armchair Analyst: US lock down a 1-0 win, but what's the process? | MLSsoccer.com

Stars and Stripes FC felt as well that the team has a lot of work to do, noting that the overall performance was far from brilliant. Still there were reasons for optimism including an effective defense. USA 1-0 Paraguay: A decent win for the USMNT | Stars and Stripes FC

For your reading enjoyment, a separate piece in SB Nation recaps the match and calls the team’s defensive performance “solid.” USA vs. Paraguay: Final score 1-0, USMNT defense plays well | SBNation.com

Yesterday in our USMNT v Paraguay: International Friendly Gamethread we noted that Seattle native and former Sounders defender DeAndre Yedlin earned his 50th cap with the USMNT yesterday in the team's friendly against Paraguay. Read more about it from Seattle Sounders FC. Former Seattle Sounders defender DeAndre Yedlin earns 50th cap with United States national team | Seattle Sounders FC

World

On Tuesday, UEFA eliminated a rule that prevents teams in the Champions League and Europa League knockout stages from fielding players who are “cup-tied” in the competitions. Champions League ‘cup-tied’ rule abolished: What does it mean? | ESPN

Russian born former world chess champion and human rights advocate Garry Kasparov argues that we can support the World Cup -- and the players -- without supporting the Russian political regime. Opinion: World Cup 2018 and the ugly side of the beautiful game | ESPN

With tattoos increasingly popular, and noticeable, on athletes, performers and other celebrities in China, a directive banning Chinese footballers from having tattoos on display in matches could have an affect the quality of athletes who play in Chinese leagues and on its national team. China Just Banned Tattoos On Their Soccer Players, And It Could Cost Them | Forbes

John Herdman has been in charge for just one game, but already TFC's Jonathan Osorio has noticed a major shift in philosophy around the Canadian men's team. TFC's Osorio: Mediocrity not enough under John Herdman | Sportsnet.ca