It’s not been a great week for Puget Sound-based professional soccer teams playing midweek games. Hey, at least maybe another team you like did well in their UEFA Champions League game? No? Well, maybe at least a team you don’t like also didn’t do well? Let’s find out together!

Seattle/Tacoma

After the Tacoma Defiance played a game they probably shouldn’t have the night before, Reign FC had to postpone their game against the Utah Royals. The make-up game will be on September 25. Tonight’s Reign FC Match in Tacoma Postponed Due to Field Conditions — REIGN FC: THE BOLD

This one got ugly as Tacoma finished with 9 players on the field. Tacoma Defiance Drops Home Match to Real Monarchs SLC - Tacoma Defiance
Ocampo-Chavez scored the lone goal for Tacoma; Defiance next travels to take on Portland Timbers 2 on Friday, September 20 (7:30 p.m. PT / ESPN+).

Tacoma weren’t the only local team to see a player sent off as Xavier Arreaga received two yellow cards in a weird and frustrating draw. Boxscore: Seattle Sounders FC vs. FC Dallas 09/19/2019 | Matchcenter

MLS/USL

Armchair Analyst: Your Q&A for the stretch run | Mailbag | MLSsoccer.com
Doyle's got some concerns about the Sounders in the short and long term.

These soccer balls are pretty cool, and they support a good cause! How to Make a Difference | Potential Meets Opportunity - One World Play Project
Chris Mueller is running a campaign with One World Play Project. Read about his story and learn how to make a difference by raising One World Futbols!

Things certainly don’t seem to be getting better in the birthplace of Skyline chili. FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United FC - Football Match Report - September 18, 2019 - ESPN

Major League Baseball a potential model for joint league between MLS, Liga MX? | MLSsoccer.com
The championship match of the inaugural edition of Leagues Cup takes place in Las Vegas on Wednesday night, but Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla also has an eye on the future.

Report: Jack Rodwell, Alexander Buttner on trial with New England Revolution | MLSsoccer.com
The New England Revolution are taking a look at two free agents with English Premier League experience, according to The Boston Globe's Frank Dell'Apa.

Iowa’s about to get their first professional soccer team! USL Pro Iowa
Des Moines has the opportunity to become home to a USL Championship soccer franchise. JOIN THE USL PRO IOWA EXCITEMENT!

Atlanta’s striker now sits tied for second in pursuit of Messi’s record. Josef Martinez approaching world record for league scoring streak | MLSsoccer.com
Josef Martinez has scored in 15 consecutive league matches, surpassing his previous MLS all-time record. And now, he's approaching loftier, world-record heights.

Montreal Impact 1, Toronto FC 0 | 2019 Canadian Championship Match Recap | MLSsoccer.com
Ignacio Piatti hit the target with a sensational 25-yard strike early, and the Montreal Impact prevented Toronto FC from scoring a crucial away goal in a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the Canadian Championship final on Wednesday night at Stade Saputo.

NWSL

The world is a better place when Rose Lavelle is cooking defenders, which means the world is about to get a little better again. USWNT star Rose Lavelle cleared to resume full training with Spirit - The Washington Post
The World Cup star is expected to play 45 minutes for the Washington Spirit on Saturday at Chicago.

Mewis conceded the penalty, and Mewis put it away! NWSL: Mewis PK pushes NC Courage past Houston Dash | Pro Soccer USA
Amidst complaints about the refs, Sam Mewis converted an 86th minute penalty kick to give the N.C. Courage a win over the Houston Dash on Tuesday.

USA

We at least know who the post-Jill Ellis era will start against, even if we don’t know who will be in charge. USWNT announces final matches of World Cup-winning year – ProSoccerTalk
The United States is currently riding a 14-game winning streak.

With Jesse Marsch making history in Austria, who’s next? Community Corner: Who’s the next American coach in Europe? - Stars and Stripes FC
And where will they go?

There’s still a lot of season left for Pulisic and Chelsea. Frank Lampard on Christian Pulisic and patience with Chelsea faithful - We Ain't Got No History
oh... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

It’s been almost a month since Miazga’s hamstring injury. Will he be back in time for the USMNT’s next games? Miazga returns to Reading first team training | SBI Soccer
Matt Miazga has returned to Reading first team training. Reading boss Jose Gomes confirmed the news to reporters on Wednesday. Miazga, 23, is on a season-long loan at Reading from Premier League side Chelsea.

World

Some players have already made their mark after Matchday 1. The next De Ligt and De Jong? Youngsters who could take this year’s Champions League by storm – The Athletic
The Athletic gives you the lowdown on 10 up-and-coming starlets primed to make a name for themselves in Europe's top club competition...

Zidane rips Real Madrid for lack of intensity
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane fumed at his team's lack of intensity after his side's chastening 3-0 defeat at PSG on Wednesday.

Ansu Fati is well on his way to representing Spain, at least at the U-19 level. AS: El Consejo de Ministros dará este viernes el pasaporte a Ansu Fati
AS: El Consejo de Ministros dará este viernes el pasaporte a Ansu FatiSPORT adelantó la decisión del futbolista de jugar co

Down At Halftime In A Soccer Game? Use Your Subs. | FiveThirtyEight
Players coming off the bench tend to be markedly more productive than the players they replace, as well as the players who stay on.

In the least surprising news ever: 'Racism rot is deep' in Italian football, says anti-discriminatory body Fare - BBC Sport
Italian football authorities and their disciplinary systems to combat racism are "not fit for purpose", says the chief of anti-discriminatory body Fare.

Fernando Ricksen: Ex-Rangers player dies aged 43 after motor neurone disease fight - BBC Sport
Former Rangers player Fernando Ricksen, who had been suffering from motor neurone disease, dies at the age of 43, the Ibrox club confirm.

You, and I can’t stress this enough, hate to see it. Condolences to any Madridistas reading this. Real Madrid: Is Zinedine Zidane struggling second time around? - Guillem Balague column - BBC Sport
Zinedine Zidane won three straight Champions League titles with Real Madrid but there are worrying signs for the Frenchman in his second spell as manager, says Guillem Balague.

Harry Kane says Tottenham are not learning from mistakes - BBC Sport
Harry Kane says Tottenham have not learned from their mistakes after they throw away a 2-0 lead against Olympiakos in the Champions League.

Did I already call something else the least surprising news ever? I was mistaken. World Cup 2022: Qatar still failing to protect workers' rights, says Amnesty International - BBC Sport
Workers helping to get Qatar ready for the 2022 World Cup continue to be mistreated despite promises to improve their rights, Amnesty International says.

‘We didn’t respect the plan’: Pochettino disappointed with Tottenham draw | Football | The Guardian
Mauricio Pochettino accused his Tottenham players of lacking fight in the 2-2 Champions League draw at Olympiakos and suggested that they needed to work harder on the psychological side of their game

“Blue Girl” deserves better than to simply be remembered. Grotesque tragedy unlikely to shame Fifa into action over Iran’s ban on female fans | Marina Hyde | Football | The Guardian
Toothless urgings followed the death of Sahar Khodayari, who – when faced with the prospect of prison for trying to watch football – set herself on fire

Show top women's sport on free-to-air TV too, says Nicky Morgan | Football | The Guardian
Culture secretary calls for equal coverage for major women’s competitions like World Cup

This is absolutely despicable. FA looking into claims deaf footballer was abused during Youth Cup match | Football | The Guardian
The Football Association is examining claims that a promising deaf footballer was abused and goaded about his disability during an FA Youth Cup game

Premier League most underrated XI – ProSoccerTalk
We asked, you delivered, we expanded.

He’s certainly earned it as part of one of the most dangerous attacking groups in the world. Report: Mane to get big raise, Liverpool contract through 2025 – ProSoccerTalk
Liverpool's Senegalese sensation looks set to stay at Anfield into his 30s.

Liverpool CEO stays with fan at hospital – ProSoccerTalk
Peter Moore performed a good deed after a Liverpool fan was taken to the hospital in a foreign country.

WSL players as fruit. That’s right - All For XI
If you’ve ever wanted to get fruity with a WSL footballer, look no further

UCL Rewind: PSG downs Real Madrid, Atletico earns tie, and more
Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League came to a close on Wednesday with PSG earning the result of the day.

What’s on TV?

9:55 AM - 12 different Europa League games - B/R Live

12:00 PM - Another 12 Europa League games - B/R Live

1:00 PM to 5:00 PM - 16 different Men’s and Women’s games (NCAA) - ESPN+/ESPN App/FoxSports.com

7:00 PM - Dorados vs. Cafetaleros de Tapachula (Ascenso MX) - ESPN App