Seattle soccer

Sounders listed as potential "buyers" is Paul Tenorio's analysis
He thinks Raul Ruidiaz won't be enough to turn around the season.

MLS

MLS watchability rankings: which teams are the best (and worst) to watch? | Football | The Guardian
Los Angeles Galaxy have Zlatan, while Vancouver have arguably the league’s most exciting youngster. But which team is the best to sit back and watch?

NWSL

Billie Jean King, Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe among athletes speaking out against new IAAF regulations
Billie Jean King, Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe are among the athletes speaking out against a new IAAF standard that would determine an athlete's gender.

Utah Royals FC head coach Laura Harvey returning to Seattle for first time to face former team | Deseret News
Wednesday night will mark Harvey's first time at Memorial Stadium since becoming URFC's head coach.

US soccer

All about promotion/relegation | Ranting Soccer Dad
Promotion/relegation could make U.S. pro soccer more interesting for fans, and with the potential for new investment at the lower levels, it might help take the game to the next level in this country. That's a good argument. I can't find any fault with it. It doesn't make any false claims, though I'll grant I…

Why U.S. Soccer Needs Fundamental Change – Oliver Maroney – Medium
The bell sounds and middle-school kids run out the doors for lunchtime and recess. Kids of all colors, sizes and shapes gather in their “cliques” (as we used to call them). I, on the other hand, was…

Tom Farrey SFIA Data Column — The Aspen Institute Project Play

Bobby Wood loaned to Hannover 96 - Stars and Stripes FC
He will stay in the Bundesliga this season

World soccer

Juventus signing Cristiano Ronaldo is culmination of intentional movement - Black & White & Read All Over
The impact of the now official move will be felt for years.

Official Statement: Cristiano Ronaldo | real Madrid FC

Cristiano Ronaldo transfer: 5 thoughts on why it makes sense for Real Madrid, Juventus and Ronaldo - SBNation.com
This deal is being done at the right time for a player who still has a lot to give at the top level of the game.

Jesse Marsch becomes assistant coach at RB Leipzig - Stars and Stripes FC
He signs a 2-year deal to back up two head coaches.

The future ahead for Jesse Marsch in Europe - Red Bulls News Network

FC Barcelona Announced Arthur With a Terrifying Animated Talking Ball - Barca Blaugranes
...But why?

How Pep Guardiola, NBA & NFL Helped Turn England into Potential World Champions | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
The date was 30 November 2016, and despair was setting in for English football fans. Three months on from England's ultimate embarrassment of losing to Iceland at the European ...

World Cup

World Cup 2018: FIFA needs to send a different message to women - SBNation.com
FIFA’s broadcast contractor is sending a message to women fans: You are there to be seen, not to participate.

Russia's 2018 World Cup run is over, but Putin — and dictators everywhere — are still big winners at mega-sports events

France vs. Belgium result: Final score 1-0, Kylian Mbappe stars as Les Bleus make World Cup final - SBNation.com
Kylian Mbappe dazzled and France’s defense impressed in their semifinal victory.

Uruguay gave their World Cup team a hero’s welcome home, even after losing - SBNation.com
Simply incredible.

Read this non-soccer stuff too

324 of the Best IPAs, Blind-Tasted and Ranked :: Drink :: Lists :: best IPAs :: Paste
It's the largest blind tasting we've ever assembled: India Pale Ale, in all its hoppy glory.

All Things Ill-Considered: NPR’s Sexist Blunder - The Chronicle of Higher Education
A public-radio segment on a book by two scholars omits any mention of the female co-author. Oops.