Not a lot going on domestically on the men’s side, unless you want to talk about the Leagues Cup, but even people in MLS don’t want talk “about this dumb thing.” So instead we’ll look at some topics surrounding NWSL marketing, a whole lot of potential disrespect, and silly season in Europe.

NWSL / women’s soccer

We heard a lot of these same questions following 2015, but this year feels different. Can the USWNT’s World Cup title push the NWSL to a long-awaited breakthrough? | Inquirer.com
There’s public demand for more women’s soccer and social charge for gender equity in sports. What will it take to capitalize on the moment?

NWSL should market more to people of color - All For XI
With the fame that comes from winning the Women’s World Cup comes the chance to build a unique brand for the NWSL.

The former Reign FC fullback has always been an advocate for those born with limb defects Former FSU soccer star Carson Pickett’s special moment with fan goes viral

Heat, a language barrier, ticketing woes, and putting your fate in God’s hands. A French summer in Lyon and Marseille - SBNation.com

World

The weather isn’t easy and neither are the opponents, but Robertson says that’s the the point of pre-season. Exclusive: Andy Robertson on Surviving Preseason Scenes - The Liverpool Offside

Things aren’t looking good for the Welshman’s relationship with his manager. Gareth Bale: Zinedine Zidane denies showing Real Madrid winger disrespect - BBC Sport
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane denies showing Gareth Bale disrespect, and claims the striker refused to come on as a substitute against Bayern Munich.

Local fans and media claim the club is ignoring and discriminating against them. Man City: Pep Guardiola says reports claiming the club has shown ‘utter disrespect’ in China are false - BBC Sport
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola says reports claiming the club has shown “utter disrespect” on their tour of Asia is “far away from the reality”.

Manchester United relaxed about lack of technical director one year on | The Guardian
Manchester United are relaxed about potentially entering season without a technical director despite it being almost a year since the search to fill the role began.

’I saw my friends die in the street’: Mohamed El-Munir’s journey from Libya to LAFC | Football | The Guardian
The defender has forged a professional career after leaving the chaos of his homeland. But his thoughts are always with those he has left behind.

Argentina hoped to have the card overturned, but instead CONMEBOL upheld the suspension and added a fine. Messi gets WC qualifier ban for Copa red card
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has received a one-game suspension from World Cup qualifying after a controversial red card at the Copa America.

The signing could pave the way for Mexico international Rodolfo Pizarro to leave for Europe. Monterrey signs Dutch striker Janssen from Spurs
Reigning CONCACAF champion Monterrey has signed 25-year-old Dutch striker Vincent Janssen from Tottenham Hotspur, the clubs confirmed on Tuesday.

When you can’t go out buy talent, it’s good to have a wealth of it already in house. Which graduates of Chelsea’s ‘loan army’ could play a role under new boss Lampard?
Chelsea had 41 players out on loan last season. With a FIFA-imposed transfer ban, here are six returnees who could carve out a role this season.

The centerback wants to go to Manchester United, but continues playing with the Foxes while waiting for that phone call. Rodgers says no close bids for Maguire – ProSoccerTalk
”There’s been no valuation or near to that which would make (Leicester’s vice chairman) have a look.”

On the women’s side of sport there are myriad openly LGBT players, but unfortunately there’s still a massive stigma and potential repercussions on the men’s side. ‘I’m not strong enough to come out’: Twitter ‘gay footballer’ deletes account | Football | The Guardian
A Twitter user who claimed to be an anonymous Championship footballer intending to come out as gay appears to have reversed his decision, admitting he is ‘not strong enough to do this’

This is an older story, but it got fresh life after Alex Morgan tweeted about it yesterday and received a heavy dose of garbage replies — Ronaldo Is an Icon of Corruption in Sports - VICE

What’s on today (all times PDT)

International Champions Cup

• 5:00 PM — Fiorentina vs. Benfica (ESPN+)

North American Leagues Cup

• 5:30 PM — Houston Dynamo vs. América (ESPN+)
• 7:30 PM — Real Salt Lake vs. Tigres UANL (ESPN+)

UEFA U19 Championship Semi-Finals

• 7:00 AM — Portugal vs. Ireland (ESPN3)
• 10:00 AM — France vs. Spain (ESPN3)

NWSL

• 4:30 PM — Sky Blue FC vs. Washington Spirit (Yahoo Sports)
• 7:30 PM — Portland Thorns vs. Houston Dash (Yahoo Sports)

USL Championship

• 4:30 PM — Atlanta United II vs. Charlotte Independence (ESPN+)
• 5:30 PM — Tulsa Roughnecks vs. LA Galaxy II (ESPN+)
• 7:00 PM — Tacoma Defiance vs. Las Vegas Lights (separate match thread later today)
• 8:00 PM — Sacramento Republic vs. New Mexico United (ESPN+)