Seattle

Soccer Saved Me, Cancer Matured Me: S2 midfielder Ray Saari details his battle overcoming illness | Seattle Sounders FC

Megan Rapinoe making good use of her platform as U.S. soccer star
Megan Rapinoe has spoken out for social change, spoken up for at-risk kids and spoken in favor of same-sex marriage. In her latest campaign, it took less than two weeks for Rapinoe to collectmore than $150,000 for victims of the recent Carr Fire, which ravaged her hometown of Redding, Calif.

culture

Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart power Storm into WNBA Finals with 94-84 win over Mercury | The Seattle Times
Breanna Stewart scored 28 points and Sue Bird scored 14 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Storm fought back in the fourth quarter to clinch a WNBA Finals berth.

Polygon is updating its reviews program for 2018 — and saying farewell to scores - Polygon
Video games have changed. It’s time we change with them.

Seattle close to finalizing Arena deal; new investors to be announced | king5.com
The Oak View Group is expected to announce new investors for Seattle's proposed National Hockey League team on Wednesday.

Where to Watch Sports in Seattle - Eater Seattle
Great bars with the game on TV

MLS

PSV/MLS v. Columbus/Ohio Motion to Dismiss Oral Arguments [Live Blog] – SOCCERESQ
Note: I recently started a Patreon for those who want to help support/expand my writing content. Whatever you'd like to contribute is greatly appreciated! End plug. Become a Patron: Got the best seat in the house: One that is close to an outlet. As always when I'm doing a live blog, excuse the typos, as…

MLS should be proactive in offering foreign language training to players - Stars and Stripes FC
It will help the players in the league and beyond.

NWSL

Job Application for Manager, Women's soccer community brand at Vox Media

US National Team

Something is broken when the USA women are dominated by white girls next door | Hope Solo | Football | The Guardian
Race was something most people on teams I played with didn’t want to talk about. But silence changes nothing - we need bold action

World Cup qualifying draw finalized for United States - Stars and Stripes FC
Concacaf held the draw for the 2018 Women’s Championship today to finalize the groups that will play for a qualifying spot in the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

U-23 WNT Defeats Norway 1-0, Takes First Place at 2018 Nordic Tournament - U.S. Soccer
The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team defeated host Norway, 1-0, in the final game for both teams at the Women’s U-23 Nordic Tournament. The result gave the USA first place at four-team competition. A goal from Clemson University defender Samantha Staab, the only non-professional on the U.S. roster, was good enough to secure the victory.

USWNT coach Jill Ellis calls out FIFA’s latest gender equity problem: VAR at the World Cup
Soccer's governing body still has not officially announce whether next year's women's World Cup will use the video replay technology that the men got this year.

United States still too reliant on set pieces in 4-0 win over Chile - Stars and Stripes FC
Yes, they won 4-0. But it won’t be good enough against tougher teams.

World soccer

Former Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio appointed Paraguay manager - FMF State Of Mind
Scratch one name off the prospective USMNT coaching list.

European coaches ask UEFA to review away goals unify transfer deadline day
Europe's top club coaches have asked UEFA to review the use of the away goals rule in continental competitions.

Italy boss Roberto Mancini blasts Queen, Rolling Stones at training sessions
Italy coach Roberto Mancini has taken to playing music over a loudspeaker at training sessions in order to motivate his players at practice.

Phil Neville gives youngsters a chance for England women in Kazakhstan | Football | The Guardian
That means Jodie Taylor is back training with Seattle Reign FC.

Crystal Palace Ladies’ players told to each raise £250 to keep club going | Football | The Guardian
Players from Crystal Palace Ladies have been told they face not being able to represent the club any longer if they cannot each raise £250 in sponsorship, or put up the money themselves

South Korean government to review military exemption policies after Son Heung-Min’s Asian Games gold - Cartilage Free Captain
Sonnny got out of military service, but the circus is prompting a fresh look under what circumstances athletes receive military exemptions.

Erick Gutierrez's PSV move shows how Pachuca is a model of youth development
With Erick Gutierrez and Hirving Lozano at PSV, Pachuca's sporting director explains how his club has become one of the best in youth development.