World Soccer

“The Bane of My Existence”: U.K. Sportswriting’s Access Crisis - The Ringer
British journalists chronicling mega-events like the Champions League are often operating on a timeline out of their control and with little access to players, publishing stories well after they’ve been reported. Could this be the dark future of U.S. sports coverage?

Detroit City FC is going pro, whether American soccer wants it or not

An oral history of the USMNT U-20 run to the 1989 World Youth Championships semifinals – The Athletic
This team, led by Kasey Keller and high-schooler Chris Henderson, is still the most successful U.S. men's U-20 team

Liverpool in the Champions League Final: This Means More - The Liverpool Offside
Mark wrote some nice things about the other team he follows.

MLS

Flo Sports broadcasts have D.C. United fans seeing red – The Athletic
Subscribers spent much of stoppage time looking at a red screen on Saturday, the latest in a series of issues.

What is the Leagues Cup, and why is RSL playing in it? - RSL Soapbox
Even teams in it are confused.

MLS, Liga MX will announce eight-team Leagues Cup tournament to start in July – The Athletic ($)
The tournament no one wanted is back!

Women’s Soccer

Megan Rapinoe won't visit White House if USWNT wins 2019 World Cup | SI.com
The USWNT co-captain has been a vocal critic of President Trump and an active political activist.

‘Why Are You Still Sleeping On U.S. Women’s Soccer?’ Asks Sports Website’s First Article About Women’s Soccer In Four Years

Megan Rapinoe: USA Women's World Cup star strengthens her platform | SI.com
The outspoken U.S. women's national team star continues to strengthen her presence and platform both on and off the field, and she's poised to thrive in the spotlight that comes with the Women's World Cup.

Has the NWSL done enough to prevent another wave of early retirements? – The Athletic ($)
Diving into the data about the pressures that lead players, many of them in their prime to retire from the NWSL

3 Reasons Why North Carolina Lost To Reign FC - All For XI
The defending NWSL champs haven’t won a single game in May.

Five reasons Scotland are going to rock Group D harder than the Palaeolithic era - All For XI
Kim Little, basically.

Lindsey Horan Is Redefining Women’s Soccer | Portland Monthly
The Thorns midfielder and US national team member is changing the game—and it could only have happened in Portland.

Olivia Moultrie: 13-year-old is women's soccer's grand experiment | SI.com
For every Michael Phelps and Tara Lipinski, world champions as teens, there exist many more young athletes like Freddy Adu, a soccer phenom who fell short of outsized expectations. Other times the path veers sharply.

Seattle

Seattle-area soccer legends start their next phase at the game’s grass roots – The Athletic ($)
Lamar Neagle and Steve Zakuani's careers didn't end by choice, but both are using coaching as a transition to whatever comes next.