Seattle

Seattle Sounders Finally Carry MLS Cup Winning Form Into Regular Season — The Nutmeg News

Brian Schmetzer confirms Handwalla Bwana suffered midfoot sprain, no timetable yet for return | Seattle Sounders FC
Well that's not good.

Sounders Women score 21 goals during opening weekend | Tukwila Reporter
The Seattle Sounders Women had an exciting start to their season with two wins.

MLS

Expected Narratives: Seeing Reds — American Soccer Analysis
xN is a weekly look at what you can expect to read, write, and discuss about Major League Soccer this week. The authors take a look at each prospective narrative and rate it based on its strength and whether or not it has any actual merit.

Atlanta United players have no plans to promote themselves for MLS All Star Game
Two of the eight Atlanta United players nominated for this summer’s MLS All-Star game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium say they don’t plan on using social media to promote themselves.

Vieira again denies talks with Nice - Hudson River Blue
This is getting weird.

There was league action yesterday, and the key game was Real Salt Lake against Houston Dynamo. It’s only important because Seattle plays RSL Saturday (6:30 p.m., JOEtv).

LA Galaxy fall to FC Dallas 3-2 - LAG Confidential
FCD’s attack took advantage of a leaky Galaxy defense.

Houston Dynamo concede late goal on the road, fall 1-2 to Real Salt Lake - Dynamo Theory
The Houston Dynamo gave up a late goal on the road after battling back into the game to lose to Real Salt Lake 1-2 at Rio Tinto Stadium.

RSL takes down Dynamo in 2-1 comeback win - RSL Soapbox
The home side strung together consecutive wins for the first time all year.

RSL vs Houston: What we learned - RSL Soapbox

Dockal, Burke keep the Philadelphia Union rolling with 3-1 win over Chicago Fire - Brotherly Game
The Union have outscored opponents 9-2 while earning 10 points in their last four games.

Revolution 1, Atlanta United 1: Late penalty salvages a point for home side - The Bent Musket
Martinez and Bunbury exchanged goals on Wednesday night.

NWSL

Thorns come undone in 1-4 loss at home to North Carolina Courage - Stumptown Footy
The undefeated North Carolina Courage continued their unbeaten run in devastating fashion at Providence Park, beating the Portland Thorns 4-1 off the back of three goals in 6 minutes in the second half.

USL

Cincinnati beats out Sacramento, will join MLS in 2019 - Indomitable City Soccer
Where does this leave Sacramento and their bid?

US soccer

CLASS OF 2018: Don Garber to be Inducted into National Soccer Hall of Fame | National Soccer Hall of Fame

U.S. Soccer Federation general manager search 'in final stages'
The USSF's Chief Sport Development Officer Nico Romeijn said a six-person technical committee had interviewed 10 candidates.

Josh Sargent: A promising No. 9 for a USMNT in dire need of one (among many things) | FourFourTwo
The Josh Sargent hype train picked up steam after he scored in his USMNT debut. He might be the future answer at forward, but it's too early to tell for sure.

Has the U.S. men's national team lost its fight? Some say that's why the team didn't qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Some say most definitely. ESPN FC talked to 18 former and current players and staff about what happened during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers — and about how everything eventually fell apart.

World soccer

BREAKING: Zidane announces he leaves Real Madrid - Managing Madrid
Zinedine Zidane announced that he's leaving Real Madrid with immediate effect after winning the third straight European title for the club.

Zidane explains why he’s leaving Real Madrid - Managing Madrid

Real Madrid players react to Zidane’s departure - Managing Madrid
The players shared their thoughts on Zidane’s departure on social media.

Stadium plans on hold | Chelsea Football Club

Rafael Marquez has to be at the World Cup (just not as a player) - FMF State Of Mind
Here are a few reasons as to why it is important Rafael Marquez goes to Russia, just not as an active player.

World Cup

FIFPro statement: Guerrero World Cup decision - FIFPro World Players' Union
The world players’ union is pleased with the decision to allow Peru’s Paolo Guerrero to play in the upcoming World Cup.

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - News - VAR: The virtual offside line - FIFA.com
Calibrated three-dimensional offside lines are being used at the FIFA World Cup to help officials with decision-making.

Ranking the World Cup jerseys - Stars and Stripes FC
From 32 to 1, who’s the champion of the World Cup jerseys?

Essam El-Hadary is about to break a World Cup record ... just don't ask him about his hands
"My goal has always been the World Cup," says Egypt's Essam El-Hadary, 45, who is about to become the oldest player to compete in the tournament.

Cultural stuff I enjoy

A Gun, a Machete, and a Stolen Guitar | SPD Blotter